There has been a recent update issued from the DVLA concerning personalised registrations help on retention certificates and certificated of entitlements.<\/p>\n
These changes affect only those certificates that have expired and have no bearing on current certificates or registrations that are held on vehicles.<\/p>\n
Below is a Q & A supplied by the DVLA:<\/p>\n
Personalised Registration FAQs
\n1. I understand there have been changes to the rules governing the assignment or extension
\nof expired personalised registration certificates. Could you confirm what the situation is?
\nThere is no impact on number plates already being displayed on a vehicle.
\nIt has always been the case that the law states that the right to display a personalised
\nregistration number that is held on a certificate and not assigned to a vehicle expires after a
\ncertain period. The DVLA sends customers a reminder 28 days in advance of expiry and if the
\ncertificate is not renewed, the right to display the personalised registration number is lost.
\nWhile the majority of customers have remained compliant with the requirements of the
\nlegislation, the DVLA has in some circumstances, allowed customers to renew certificates that
\nhave expired if they pay any backdated fees owed. However, following the changes made in
\n2015 to extend the period for which certificates are valid to 10 years and to remove the fee for
\nretaining a registration number this practice has now stopped. These changes in 2015 have
\nbenefited businesses and customers significantly, reducing burden and making the personalised
\nregistration process more efficient and customer friendly. It is reasonable to require all
\ncustomers to comply with the law and keep their certificates up to date.
\nSince 16 November 2016, customers are no longer able to renew an expired certificate by
\npaying backdated fees. However, for a temporary period, customers with a certificate which
\nexpired within six years will be able to buy it back for a fixed fee of \u00a3170 and receive a new
\ncertificate which will be valid for 10 years if they contact DVLA directly. Customers with
\ncertificates which expired longer than six years ago will not be able to renew their expired
\ncertificates.
\n2. What is the situation then for a registration I have sold to a customer who has forgotten to
\nrenew their V778\/V750?
\nIf the certificate expired less than six years ago, you can either assign the registration number
\nonline by paying a fixed fee of \u00a3170 on your customer\u2019s behalf or extend the retention period by
\nmaking a postal application, again paying a fixed fee of \u00a3170. If the certificate expired more than
\nsix years ago, you will be unable to transact and the rights to display the registration number
\nhave been lost.
\n3. If we have a registration number on a certificate with our name shown as the purchaser
\nand we are unable to contact the customer, what will happen?
\nThe DVLA is only able to transact with the grantee as named on our records and we must
\nreceive the expired original certificate. This is to ensure that applications are genuine and helps
\nto protect both DVLA and customers from the risk of a fraudulent application. If an application
\ncomplies with the DVLA\u2019s requirements and the certificate expired less than six years ago, a
\nfixed fee of \u00a3170 must be paid. Applications to assign or extend a registration number for which
\nthe certificate expired more than six years ago will not be accepted.
\n4. We have tried to do an assignment online and it says we have to pay \u00a3170 fee. The
\ncertificate expired in 2014.
\nFor a temporary period which began on 16 November 2016, any customer who has a certificate
\nwhich expired less than six years ago will be able to assign the registration number provided
\nthey pay the \u00a3170 fee. If they do not wish to do so, they can apply for a refund of the
\nassignment fee. Applications to assign or extend a registration number for which the certificate
\nexpired more than six years ago will not be accepted.
\n5. Why do dealers have to have the certificate, surely your systems have my details as the
\ngrantee?
\nDVLA believes that it is reasonable to require customers to comply with the law and keep their
\ncertificates up to date. Certificates are key to the safety and security of our online service and
\nand it is important that customers are aware of the need to look after these important documents.
\nAn application to extend or assign a registration number or an application for a refund of the
\nretention fee for any expired certificates will only be accepted if accompanied by the most
\nrecently issued certificate. This requirement ensures a consistent approach and helps to protect
\ncustomers and the DVLA from the risk of fraudulent applications.
\n6. If a customer has lost their certificate and it has expired, how do we get a duplicate
\ncertificate?
\nDVLA will be unable to issue a duplicate if the certificate has expired. There will be no duplicates
\nissued if a certificate has expired. An application to extend or assign a registration number or an
\napplication for a refund of the retention fee for any expired certificates will only be accepted if
\naccompanied by the most recently issued certificate. This requirement ensures a consistent
\napproach and helps to protect customers and the DVLA from the risk of fraudulent applications.
\n7. Where does the \u00a3170 come from?
\nThe \u00a3170 is a fixed fee which enables customers who have a certificate which expired less than
\nsix years ago to purchase the right to display the registration mark. DVLA considers that \u00a3170 is
\nreasonable as it is broadly in line with the lowest price of our online personalised registration
\nsales.
\nThis amount applies to all customers who wish to buy back the right to a registration number
\nwhich has expired within six years. Alternatively, those customers can apply for a refund of the
\n\u00a380 assignment fee. Applications to assign or extend a registration number for which the
\ncertificate expired more than six years ago will not be accepted.
\n8. As it is now free to renew, why are you charging \u00a3170 for an extension where it expired
\nafter 9 March 2015?
\nThe law states that the rights to display a registration number are lost when the certificate
\nexpires. The \u00a3170 fee is a concession which allows customers to buy the rights to display a
\nregistration number for which the certificate has expired.
\n9. Why have you chosen six years as a cut off point and what happens to the expired
\ncertificates over six years?
\nWe believe that the six year period is reasonable and it was decided following a review of the
\nuse of DVLA\u2019s online service and consideration of the legal position which allows customers to
\nchoose to apply for a refund.
\n10. What happens after 10 years, will customers be able to extend and will there be extra
\nfees.
\nCustomers must renew their entitlement prior to the expiry of their 10 year certificate. The DVLA
\nsends renewal reminders to all grantees and renewals can be applied for 28 days prior to expiry.
\nIt is important to notify DVLA of any change of address to ensure the reminder is received.
\nCertificates which have been allowed to expire will not be renewed and there is no charge to
\nrenew a valid 10 year certificate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There has been a recent update issued from the DVLA concerning personalised registrations help on retention certificates and certificated of entitlements. These changes affect only those certificates that have expired and have no bearing on current certificates or registrations that<\/p>\n