How do I transfer a number plate from one vehicle to another?

You can move the registration onto another vehicle, or move it onto a certificate, and then later assign that to another car. The important thing is to do this in advance of selling the car. If you sell the vehicle with the registration still showing on the V5C log book, then the new owner will also become the owner of your plate!

To move your registration mark to another vehicle you will need to complete a V317 form and send your application to the DVLA along with the V5C registration certificates (log books) for both vehicles.

If you have just purchased the vehicle and don't yet have the full V5C for it, you should submit a completed V5C/2 New Keeper's Supplement with a completed V62 form.

The current fee for transferring a registration mark is £80, so include a cheque for this made payable to 'DVLA'.

There are a number of criteria that must be met for a successful vehicle to vehicle transfer. These include :

• Both the vehicle currently showing the registration you are transferring (the donor), and the receiving vehicle, must either hold both current MOT and tax; be taxed and MOT expired; or MOT expired and tax expired less than six months.
• The vehicles must be subject to MOT testing at some time during their life.
• You can't use a mark to make a vehicle look newer than it is e.g. you can't transfer a 68 series registration to an 51 registration car. You are allowed to use an older registration.
• You can't perform a number plate transfer onto a Q registered vehicle.

If you are buying a brand new car, then it's perfectly possible to transfer your current number plate to it. The car dealership should be able to assist with this for you.

The vehicle that you have removed the registration from will be issued with a replacement age-related registration mark (in most cases this will be the one it had prior to the personalised registration). You will receive new V5C's for both vehicles showing their new registrations. At this stage you can inform your insurers of the change and display the plates on the vehicles.

How do I transfer a number plate from a vehicle to a certificate?

You can move the registration onto a certificate, or onto another vehicle. The important thing is to do this in advance of selling the car. If you sell the vehicle with the registration still showing on the V5C log book, then the new owner will also become the owner of your plate!

Complete a V317 form and send this to the DVLA along with the V5C Registration Certificate and a cheque for £80 made payable to 'DVLA'.

You will receive back a V778 Certificate of Retention, and a new V5C showing a new registration for the vehicle (typically this will revert back to the registration that was on the car prior to the private plate). You can then inform your insurer of the change and attach new plates to the vehicle that match the registration now showing on the V5C.

The V778 is valid for a period of 10 years, but you can renew this indefinitely.

There are some criteria that must be met to retain a registration from a vehicle:

• The vehicle must either hold both current MOT and tax; be taxed and MOT expired; or MOT expired and tax expired less than six months.
• The vehicle must be subject to MOT testing at some time during it's life.
• You cannot retain the registration mark if the words 'NON TRANSFERABLE' are printed in Section 3 (special notes) of the V5C.