How Long Do Private Plates Last?

Private number plates last forever. Once you purchase the rights to a registration number, you own it indefinitely. There is no expiry date on ownership, and you can keep the registration for as long as you like.

If the registration is currently assigned to a vehicle, it will remain on that vehicle until you remove it or sell the vehicle. If you want to keep the plate when selling a car, you must apply to retain it on a V778 Retention Document before the sale completes.

Retention Documents (V778) are valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Before expiry, you can renew the retention for another 10 years or assign the registration to a vehicle. You can renew a retention document as many times as you like, effectively keeping the plate off a vehicle indefinitely.

Certificates of Entitlement purchased directly from DVLA auctions are valid for 10 years and can also be renewed. Once assigned to a vehicle, the registration becomes yours permanently unless you sell it or the DVLA withdraws it for legal reasons (such as offensive content).

Physical number plates themselves will need replacing over time due to wear, damage, or fading. However, the registration number you own never expires and can be transferred between vehicles throughout your lifetime or passed on to others.