Can You Reclaim a Number Plate from a Scrapped or Written-Off Vehicle?

scrapped number plates

You can only reclaim a personalised number plate before a vehicle is officially scrapped or written off.

Pro tip: Act early, keep records, and communicate with insurers to protect your plate’s value. Personalised number plates are more than just a registration—they’re a statement of identity, a collector’s item, and in many cases, a valuable asset. But what happens when the vehicle bearing your cherished plate is scrapped or written off? Can you reclaim the number plate, or is it lost forever?

Scrapped vehicles: Once removed from the DVLA register, the plate is lost unless retained or transferred in advance.

Written-off vehicles:

Category A/B: Plates are unrecoverable unless retained beforehand.

Category S/N: Plates may stay with the vehicle if repaired or must be retained before disposal.

Retention process: Requires V5C logbook, £80 fee, and DVLA approval.

Post-scrap/write-off: If not retained, the plate is permanently lost.

This article explores the rules, procedures, and practical steps involved in reclaiming a number plate from a scrapped or written-off vehicle, based on current DVLA guidance.

Understanding the Basics: What Happens When a Vehicle Is Scrapped or Written Off?

When a vehicle is scrapped or written off, its registration status changes significantly:

  • Scrapped Vehicle: This means the vehicle has been dismantled and destroyed, typically by an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). Once scrapped, the vehicle is removed from the DVLA database.
  • Written-Off Vehicle: This refers to a vehicle deemed uneconomical to repair by an insurance company. It may still exist physically, but its registration status is affected depending on the category of write-off (e.g., Category A, B, S, or N).

In both cases, the fate of the number plate depends on whether it was removed and retained before the vehicle was officially scrapped or written off.

Can You Reclaim a Number Plate After Scrapping?

The short answer is: only if you act before the vehicle is scrapped.

Once a vehicle is scrapped and removed from the DVLA register, any number plate assigned to it—personalised or otherwise—is also lost unless it was formally retained or transferred beforehand.

What You Must Do Before Scrapping

If you want to keep your number plate, you must apply to retain it or transfer it to another vehicle before the scrapping process is completed. This is done through the DVLA’s online service:

DVLA Retain or Transfer a Registration Number

You’ll need:

  • The vehicle’s V5C logbook
  • The registration number you wish to retain
  • A payment of £80 (standard DVLA fee)

Once approved, the plate can either be:

  • Retained on a certificate (V778) for future use
  • Transferred directly to another vehicle

If the vehicle is scrapped before this process is completed, the plate is permanently lost.

What About Written-Off Vehicles?

Written-off vehicles present a slightly more flexible scenario, depending on the write-off category:

Category A or B

  • Category A: Total destruction required. Vehicle and parts must be crushed.
  • Category B: Vehicle must be crushed, but some parts may be salvaged.

In both cases, the vehicle cannot be returned to the road, and the registration number is not recoverable unless it was retained before the write-off was declared.

Category S or N

  • Category S (Structural damage) and Category N (Non-structural damage) vehicles can be repaired and returned to the road.
  • If the vehicle is repaired and remains roadworthy, the number plate can stay with the vehicle.
  • If the owner chooses not to repair and instead disposes of the vehicle, they must retain the plate before disposal.

Step-by-Step Guide to Retaining a Number Plate

Here’s how to retain a number plate from a vehicle that’s about to be scrapped or written off:

1. Check Eligibility

  • The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA.
  • It must be available for inspection (if requested).
  • It must be taxed or have a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).

2. Apply Online or by Post

  • Online: DVLA Retention Service
  • By post: Complete form V317 and send it with the V5C and £80 fee.

3. Receive Confirmation

  • If successful, DVLA will issue a V778 retention certificate.
  • You can use this certificate to assign the plate to another vehicle or keep it for up to 10 years.

What If the Vehicle Has Already Been Scrapped or Written Off?

If the vehicle has already been scrapped or written off and the plate was not retained beforehand, unfortunately, you cannot reclaim the number plate.

DVLA policy is clear: once a vehicle is removed from the register, its registration number is no longer available for use. This applies even if the plate was personalised and held sentimental or financial value.

Proactive Tips for Plate Owners

To avoid losing a valuable or sentimental number plate, consider the following:

  • Act Early: If your vehicle is damaged or nearing end-of-life, start the retention process immediately.
  • Keep Records: Maintain copies of your V5C, retention certificate, and any correspondence with DVLA.
  • Use a Trusted Dealer: If selling or transferring a plate, use a reputable dealer like Regplates.com to ensure compliance and protection.

Insurance Write-Offs: Communicating with Your Insurer

If your vehicle is written off by an insurer, you should:

  • Inform them of your intention to retain the plate
  • Request the V5C back if they’ve taken possession of it
  • Ensure the plate is not transferred with the vehicle to salvage

Some insurers may allow you to retain the plate before settling the claim, but this must be arranged quickly and clearly.

DVLA Resources and Links

For official guidance, always refer to the DVLA:

These pages provide up-to-date information on eligibility, fees, and procedures.

Reclaiming a number plate from a scrapped or written-off vehicle is possible—but only if you act before the vehicle is deregistered. Once it’s gone, the plate goes with it.

For personalised plate owners, this underscores the importance of proactive management. Whether your plate is a reflection of your name, business, or passion, it deserves protection. At Regplates.com, we help clients navigate these processes with confidence, ensuring that no plate is lost due to oversight or delay.