Assigning a Private Number Plate to Your Vehicle A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever dreamed of cruising down the road with a personalised license plate that reflects your personality or interests? Well, that dream can become a reality with a private number plate! But how do you actually get one assigned to your vehicle? This guide will walk you through the process, from acquiring a private number to the final assignment on your car.

Understanding Private Number Plates

Private number plates, also known as personalised plates, allow you to customize the alphanumeric combination displayed on your vehicle. Unlike standard registration numbers assigned by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK, private plates offer a unique way to express yourself. You can choose letters and numbers that hold personal significance, commemorate a special occasion, or simply add a touch of individuality to your car.

Acquiring a Private Number Plate

There are several ways to obtain a private number plate:

Online Marketplaces: Numerous online platforms specialise in selling private number plates. You can browse a vast selection of plates with varying combinations, prices, and age restrictions. Popular options include Regplates.com.

DVLA Personalised Registrations through Regplates.com - Regplates.com runs a service where you can search for and purchase private plates directly from them. They offer a wide range of options, including cherished date plates, prefix and suffix plates, and letter and number combinations.

Auctions: Occasionally, private number plates come up for auction, especially for highly sought-after combinations. This can be a good option if you're looking for a rare or valuable plate.

Documents Needed

Once you've acquired your desired private number, you'll need some documents to proceed with the assignment process:

V750 Certificate of Entitlement: This document comes with the purchase of a private number plate and proves your ownership.

V5C Registration Certificate (Logbook): This is the official document that shows the ownership details of your vehicle. You'll need the latest version with your name on it.
DVLA Reference Number (Optional): If you're transferring a private number from another vehicle you own, you might have a V778 retention document or an online reference number instead of a V750.

Assigning the Private Number

Here's how to assign the private number to your vehicle:

Option 1: Online Application (For Vehicles Registered to You)

Visit the DVLA's online service for assigning a registration number https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers/keep-or-assign.

Have your V5C reference number, V750 certificate details, and a valid payment method ready.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the application.

Once the DVLA processes your request, you'll receive a confirmation and an updated V5C showing the new registration number for your vehicle.

Option 2: Postal Application

Download and complete the form V317 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662b76131179821456b81e68/v317-application-to-transfer-or-retain-a-vehicle-registration-number.pdf
Include the completed form, your V5C registration certificate, and the V750 certificate of entitlement.
Send the complete application package to the DVLA address specified on the form.

The processing time for postal applications may be slightly longer than online applications.
Additional Considerations

Vehicle Ownership: If the vehicle is not registered in your name (e.g., a used car you just bought), you'll need to wait for the DVLA to send you a new V5C with your details before applying for the private number assignment.
New Vehicles: When buying a brand new car, you can often ask the dealership to handle the private number assignment process for you. Just provide them with your V750 certificate.

Transferring a Private Number: If you're transferring a private number from another vehicle you own, you'll need a V778 retention document or an online reference number instead of a V750. The process for transferring a number is similar to assigning a new one.
Cost: The cost of a private number plate can vary greatly depending on the combination's rarity and memorability. Additionally, the DVLA charges a fee for assigning the number to your vehicle.
Legality and Regulations

Ensure the private number plate you choose complies with DVLA regulations regarding format, characters allowed, and any age restrictions associated with specific combinations.
You can check the DVLA website for detailed guidelines on acceptable private number plate formats

So what are the top selling number plates in the UK? The DVLA has been selling private plates to UK motorists since 1989. During this time, there have been a number of records set, but most of the top 10 have been bought in the past 15 years. Here’s what currently makes the list:

25 0 – A Ferrari dealer bought this for £518k in 2014. It is now on a £10 million Ferrari 250 SWB.
F 1 – A businessman, Afzal Khan, bought this for £440k in 2008 and put it on his McLaren-Mercedes SLR.
S 1 – This was bought in 2008 for £404k by an anonymous buyer.
1 D – Businessman Nabil Bishara bought this plate in 2009 (before One Direction was formed, so it is not a reference to the band) for £352k.
M 1 – Businessman Mike McCoomb bought this number plate in 2006 for £331k, apparently for his son, who was 10 at the time.
VIP 1 – Chelsea owner and businessman Roman Abramovich bought this plate for £285k in 2006.
51 NGH – This number plate, which looks like the surname Singh, was sold in 2006 for £254k.
1 RH – Businessman Robert Haverson bought this in 2006 for £247k.
K1 NGS – This reg plate, which looks like the word “kings”, was bought anonymously in 1993 for £231k.
1 0 – This very simple but striking number plate was bought anonymously in 2009 for £170k.

These are large amounts of money, but they are all small compared to the top-selling number plates found in other parts of the world. Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, has the record for the most expensive number plate ever sold. That number plate was a simple “1”. It was bought in 2008 by businessman Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri for £7.25 million.

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