Retaining a numberplate

[blackheartsgirl]

I want to keep the numberplate on my car as unfortunately the car needs scrapping. The car was my late dh (now in my name) and the plate means a lot to me ( yeah I know I’ll prob get some snarky comment)

it’s not a private plate but I’d like to keep it and eventually put it on another newer car when I get one

ive looked at DVLA and I am so confused, it goes on about the car being inspected, the plates have to be private to begin with, and I’m at a bit of a loss tbh.

has anybody ever retained thier plates that weren’t private in the first place. Help!

I don't know the answer to this, so perhaps I shouldn't post!

I do know that my private plate is like stickering over the original plate. The original still essentially exists for that car should the private plate ever be taken away.

So, whilst we know you can remove the private plate and put it back on retention I wonder, like you, if it's ever possible to keep that original identifier when a car goes off to heaven.

Yes you can:

www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers/take-private-number-off

I used to work in this space at the DVLA many moons ago so I'll have a go.

CHerished plates are ones that have been put on the market originally by the DVLA. The PP is kind of right that if you put a cherished number on a car then it's original reg is put on hold and reinstated when the cherished number is removed.

However what you are talking about is buying a non cherished number. As far as I recall it is possible to do this but not advertised much (once bought as a cherished number the car will just get a new reg allocated to it).

I would suggest emailing them and stating you would like to buy the registration number as a cherished number. Expect it to be around £300 plus fee to re reg the car it's on. Certificate fee for the cherished number and then a cost to transfer to a new car.

@JamMakingWannaBe that whole section is about plates that are already privately owned/cherished numbers. Not how to buy the reg number on a car.

I believe so. Lots of cherished plates started out as ordinary plates. I think you follow the same retention procedure as if you'd bought it and the car is allocated a new number.

Perfectly possible because I know somebody who recently did this after a very close relative died. It isn’t a private plate as such, just the one that the car was originally registered with. If I remember correctly, the car you are taking it off needs to have a current MoT.

This seems to outline the process…

www.regtransfers.co.uk/number-plate-guides/how-to-transfer-private-plates

Thanks for all your replies. The car does have a current mot

its so confusing isn’t it

I do this all the time. It’s part of my job. You can put ANY number on retention regardless of it being a private or regular number. You can do it online. You just need the V5c number and obviously the number you want to keep.

it needs to be either have a valid MOT or be on a SORN. Message me if you want me to go through it with you.

You can do it all online from the DVLA link given above.

I think your confusion was around 'private plate'. The process applies to any numberplate you wish to retain. You do need to be aware that if it's a regular-type registration number that there can be some restrictions on how you re-use the number plate - you can't apply a retained numberplate to a vehicle if it will make the vehicle appear to be newer than it is.

The only thing about a 'private' or 'cherished' plate that makes it different to an 'ordinary' plate is the owner. They are not made and marketed separately, although the DVLA does sell plates both on their website and through car dealerships (on a car). They haven't made 2 kinds of reg marks though. The process for taking a registration off a car is the same whether you assigned the plate to the car or bought the car with the registration existing. Someone has linked upthread to the site. The only thing is if the car has ever been untaxed for longer than 6 (maybe 8?) weeks you will not be able to do it o line and need to use the old fashioned paper method.

Oh and it’ll cost you £80 and you’ll get a certificate through the post which is valid up to ten years. After which you’ll need to put it on a vehicle or renew it.

As the other poster correctly pointed out you can’t put a regular plate on a vehicle that’ll make it look newer than the year of the car. Though I expect in most cases that won’t be a problem.

As PPs have said you just retain it online, it couldn’t be easier. The only plates you can’t retain are where the V5C is marked as the reg being non transferable and it’ll state that clearly. If it doesn’t then crack on, it takes less than 5 mins. An age related plate will be assigned to the car instantly and then you just get those plates made up and fit them.

I used to sell farmer vehicles to farmers and they looked exactly the same for years. One canny farmer bought a new one but didn't want his neighbours to know so transferred his old plate onto the new vehicle, making it look 10 years older than it was 😄

@maximumcarnage

sorry for late reply but would I be able to still dm you for help with this? I’m still confused to be honest

It’s really easy, just visit DVLA between 7am and 7pm. You’ll need the reg cert of your car (V5C) and a card for payment.

Select the option to remove the plate online and follow through the instructions. It shouldn’t take more than 2-3mins.

Be warned though that it takes effect instantly, and a document will be issued instantly to allow you to get the new plates made up to fit to the car. Not sure if it’s currently insured as you are planning to scrap it but if it is you’ll need to advise them of the new reg.