Avoiding Liability Why You Should Retain Your Vehicle's Number Plate

When the time comes to sell your vehicle, it's essential to carefully consider the transfer of ownership and associated responsibilities. While the car itself is the primary focus, the number plate often gets overlooked. However, retaining ownership of the number plate can safeguard you from potential legal and financial liabilities.

Liability Attached to Number Plates

Number plates are not merely identifiers; they represent a legal bond between the vehicle and its registered keeper. This connection extends beyond the physical car, encompassing any traffic violations, parking fines, or other offenses committed while the plate is attached.

If you sell your car with the number plate, you're essentially transferring ownership of the plate along with the vehicle. This means that you remain liable for any offenses committed with the number plate, even after the vehicle has been sold.

Escaping the Web of Liability

To protect yourself from these unintended consequences, it's crucial to retain ownership of the number plate until it's formally transferred to the new buyer. This ensures that you're not held responsible for any actions taken with the plate after the sale.

The Transfer Process

The transfer of vehicle ownership is typically handled through the completion of a V5C vehicle registration certificate and the payment of relevant taxes and fees. However, the number plate transfer requires a separate procedure.

To transfer the number plate to the new owner, you must apply for a 'Retention of Registration Mark' (ROR) certificate. This certificate serves as proof of ownership and authorizes the new buyer to attach the plate to their vehicle.

Benefits of Maintaining Plate Ownership

Retaining ownership of the number plate offers several advantages, including:

Legal Protection: By keeping the plate, you safeguard yourself from any legal repercussions arising from the vehicle's usage after the sale.

Financial Security: You retain the potential value of the number plate, which can be sold separately for a significant sum, especially if it's a personalized or vanity plate.

Future Flexibility: If you decide to repurchase the vehicle or re-register it in your name later, you can easily do so without the hassle of transferring the plate.

Guidelines for Retainers

If you choose to retain the number plate, follow these guidelines:

Apply for the ROR Certificate: Upon selling the vehicle, apply for the ROR certificate and provide the new owner's details.

Maintain Plate Possession: Retain physical possession of the number plate until the sale is finalized and the ROR certificate is issued.

Notify the DVLA: Inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the change in ownership and the retention of the number plate.

Store Plate Securely: Keep the number plate in a secure location to prevent theft or misuse.

Transfer Plate on Resale: If you sell the number plate separately, ensure that the transaction is done through authorized channels and all legal formalities are met.

Conclusion

Selling your vehicle doesn't have to mean surrendering ownership of the number plate. By retaining the plate, you protect yourself from legal and financial risks, maintain the potential value of the plate, and retain flexibility for future vehicle ownership. Follow the recommended guidelines to ensure a smooth and secure transfer process.

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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