DVLA
DVLA - Information You Might Like To Know
The register is not intended to establish legal ownership. To improve the accuracy of record, continuous registration or SORN (Statutory off road notification) has been introduced.
The Secretary of State for Transport is responsible for allocating DVLA Number Plates which provide a unique identifying mark. Legally, the number plate remains under the control of the Secretary of State and can be withdrawn if DVLA regulations are contravened. The relevant regulations are enshrined in the 1994 Vehicle Excise and Registration Act (VERA).
A number plate was originally intended to remain with a particular vehicle until it is scrapped or permanently exported. However, because of public interest in Private Number Plates, DVLA has put special regulations in place to facilitate the transfer of a registration mark from one vehicle to another. This procedure is referred to as the DVLA Cherished Transfer Scheme. There is also a retention scheme, which allows a mark to be taken off a vehicle and stored on a certificate.
An amendment to the Act, Section 27 of VERA gave DVLA the right to sell unallocated number plates. A new department, Sale of Marks (SOM), was created to carry out this activity and the DVLC (the old name) was changed to DVLA. The Agency now became able to sell off assets (namely unissued registration marks), contributing revenue directly to the Treasury.
Since the introduction of the 'A' prefix in August 1983, DVLA had withheld the issue of numbers 1-20 since there was no fair way to allocate such attractive registrations. This practice continued up to the issue of the 'H' registrations in August 1990.
DVLA: First Sale of Registration Marks
The first sale of prefix registration marks involved the release of the H1-20's and was carried out by telephone order on a first come, first served basis. The withheld 'A' prefix number plates were next to be released. Some of these Private Registrations, particularly the A1's and H1's, have increased considerably in value.
The release of previously unissued marks by the DVLA involved the creation of the certificate of entitlement (V750) in order for the mark to be held on a piece of paper until the purchaser was ready to assign to a vehicle.
By 1991, DVLA were withholding many more attractive marks, for example J1-20 plus matching or rounded numbers were held back e.g.: 22, 33 etc; 30, 40, 50 etc; 111,222, etc; 100, 200, 300 etc;
So now DVLA were able to sell not only registration numbers for brand new vehicles but also to release at intervals the unissued B, C, D, E and F prefix range. To date, the only prefix still not to be released is the 'F' Private Reg (1-20).
This opened up the world of cherished number plates to a much wider public since, to obtain one's initials on a number plate was much more affordable.
Of course, in Sept. 2001, we had to start familiarising ourselves with the new-style number plates consisting of the local memory tag indicating the DVLA local office followed by the year identifier and, lastly, three random letters. DVLA make the whole of each range available for sale for one month only. So, on June 1st, the forthcoming September range go on the market and, at the beginning of December, the March issue comes available. Obviously, DVLA need to register new vehicles on "ordinary" registration plates, so at the end of June and December only selected marks remain available for telephone order. For example, personalised number plates, which suggest a name or word eg: GE06 RGE or FR05 STY.
DVLA Cherished Transfer and Retention Schemes
It must be remembered that DVLA rules are in place to guard against fraud.
There are 6 basic rules:
- The vehicle must exist and hold a DVLA computerised V5/C.
- The vehicle must be registered at DVLA. (DVLNI run similar schemes in N. Ireland apart from the retention scheme).
- The vehicle must be available for inspection. An inspection assists in verifying entitlement to the number plate. Both donor and recipient (rarely) can be called for inspection.
- The vehicle must be taxed or in the process of being taxed. However, in 2005, an amendment allowed a donor vehicle where the license disc had been expired (not refunded) less than 12 months to take part in the scheme, providing, that SORN is declared upon expiry.
- The vehicle must be subject to MOT/HGV testing. For example, Non testable vehicles such as milk floats, tractors etc are outside the scheme. This has led to some vehicles, such as hearses, choosing to undergo MOT's when actually exempt so they could register with a cherished number plate under the scheme.
- Only the registered keeper can apply to either transfer or retain the mark. However, a recent Act of Parliament will soon allow a 3rd party to apply at the point of retention with the keeper's permission, of course.
In the case of a vehicle to vehicle transfer of a number plate, a form (V317) which must be completed and signed by both keepers involved. The V317 must be submitted with the V5/c, MOT if applicable and a photocopy of the current Tax disc or a Tax application for both vehicles. (Donor = vehicle giving up the number plate; Recipient = vehicle receiving the mark). In addition, a fee must be paid, currently £80. The application must be submitted to a DVLA local office, usually the one nearest the donor vehicle since this is the one most likely to be called for an inspection if necessary. For obvious reasons, DVLA do not divulge the criteria by which they decide to inspect.
The DVLA retention scheme allows a number plate to be held on certificate (V778) initially for 1 year. Largely the same regulations as detailed above for the donor vehicle apply. There is a £105 DVLA fee, which consists of £25 retention fee and £80 representing the eventual assignment fee (this is shown on the certificate as having been paid). The cert can be renewed annually at a cost of £25. DVLA also allow the addition or change of a nominee for £25 fee. Only the registered keeper can apply, and is referred to as the "grantee". The grantee (not the nominee) is the only person legally in control of the certificate. The retained number plate can only be assigned to a vehicle in the name of the grantee or the nominee.
DVLA Certificate of Entitlement V750
This scheme refers to the release of registration marks held on the DVLA computer, which have never been allocated. The number plate purchased is issued in the form of a certificate and there are many similarities to the retention certificate previously described. For example, The V750 (pink, A4 size) is renewable each year for a fee of £25 and a nominee can be added or changed for a similar fee, the purchaser is legally in control, not the nominee and the £80 assignment fee, payable at the time of purchase, is shown on the certificate.
To assign the number plate, the customer must submit (again to a local DVLA office) the signed V750 together with the V5/c and MOT (if applicable) and photocopy of the licence disc or a tax application. The local office will issue a tax disc for the new number plate showing all the tax paid and re stamp the MOT or, in the case of a VOSA MOT, issue a replacement showing the new number plate. The replacement V5/c comes directly from DVLA, Swansea.
It is worth reminding readers that, in all cases, regulations state that a number plate cannot be used to make a vehicle look newer, and it must be legally spaced.
Also worthy of note is that, presently, the DVLA in consultation with interested parties is reviewing the whole policy associated with the transfer, assignment and retention of registration numbers.
Such a review is necessary because of the government aim to provide DVLA services online.
One of the options being considered is the removal of certain constraints of the existing transfer and retention schemes while maintaining the ability to verify entitlement to the number plate, to avoid compromising the accuracy of the DVLA vehicle record and, obviously, to continue to combat fraud.
Copies of the relevant legislation can be found at www.opsi.gov.uk or in local libraries.
DVLA Auctions
Another source of cherished numbers is through DVLA auctions. Such marks can achieve very high prices and, again, consist of previously unissued attractive DVLA stock. DVLA auctions are held throughout the year, often in country house hotels and extending over 2/3 days. Buyers can bid in person, by telephone or over the Internet (much to the disgust of the auctioneers as too much internet bidding spoils the atmosphere). National Numbers is a highly respected buyer at auction and offers a bidding service on a commission basis if you prefer not to attend the auction yourself.
National Numbers has been liasing with the DVLA (formerly DVLC) for more than 25 years and has successfully completed thousands of transfers. Obviously, we have many, many satisfied customers - have a quick look at our number plate testimonials if you wish. Our admin managers have both been with us since the beginning and there is nothing they don't know about DVLA regulations. Customer service is what we are all about (after all we are the only company both in the CNDA and registered to the British Standards Institute).
We have held this quality mark for 7 years and are externally audited by BSI every year.
If this doesn't give you confidence to trust us with your cherished transfer, I don't know what will.
Please give us a try, enter your initials, name, anything in the search box and away you go.
Find out more about:-
DVLA Number Plates
DVLA Local Offices
About National Numbers
