Transferring a Number Plate to Your Car or truck

So you’ve got a nice new personalised number plate for your car. What now? How do you transfer the plate to your vehicle?

Transferring a registration from another car is easy to do.

For a car to automobile transfer you’ll have to pick up a V317 document from your local DVLA office (or from larger post office branches). You’ll have to fill in the particulars of the donor car or truck (the car or truck which currently features the registration number) and particulars of the target car or truck. You will need to make sure that both vehicles are fully licensed and have a legal MOT certificate. The transfer can't be completed if this isn't the case.

When the form is completed you will have to attach the V5 (or V5C) log books for both vehicles along with the MOT test certificates and a photocopy of the tax discs (if it applies). If either or both of the autos require taxing, this could be done at the same time by completing a V10 or V85 form and enclosing an insurance certificate or cover note. You will also have to pay an fee of £80 to carry out the transfer.

Once you've sent your application the points will be confirmed by the DVLA and the application processed. A new tax disc will be sent for each vehicle which features the new registration mark. An updated V5 log book will follow after that.

The donor car or truck will receive a new registration plate free of charge. If feasible this will be the original combination that was issued to that automobile (before it was replaced using a personalised registration plate). Autos which were registered prior to 1963 will be issued with a dateless registration. This combination is non-transferable.

The registration plate which was originally assigned to the target automobile shall be cancelled unless an application to transfer it, or to retain it on certificate was made at the time of the transfer.

It's essential to remember that you can not make a automobile appear younger than it is. When you attempt to assign a “57” new-style registration to a “Y” prefix automobile – the transfer shall be blocked.

In case you would like to transfer a personalised registration off a automobile onto retention certificate, contact your local DVLA office and ask for form V778/1.