Update or Assign a Certificate of Entitlement

Assigning to a vehicle

If your vehicle already has a private registration you wish to keep, be sure to first retain it before assigning a new one else you may lose the rights to use it!

If your vehicle is unregistered and you have purchased it from a dealer, then the best way to proceed is to give the V750/V778 to them. They will usually handle everything for you.

If you are assigning the registration yourself, then the simplest way to do this is online with immediate effect. You will need the vehicle registration certificate V5C (log book), as well as the V750/V778. The vehicle you are assigning the registration to must be taxed/tested and of suitable age to receive the registration. Upon a successful transfer, road tax, MOT and other electronic records will be automatically updated - you will need to notify your insurance company of the change of registration to the vehicle - you are then able to put the acrylic plates on your vehicle.

If you cannot assign the registration online, you can perform the same via post. Complete and sign the relevant sections of your registration certificate, and post it along with your V5C (if you don't have a V5C yet, send the "new keeper's" supplement along with a completed V62 form) to the address specified on the certificate. You will receive a new V5C back in the post (this can take 4 to 6 weeks), and you are then able to put the acrylic plates on your vehicle - you will need to notify your insurance company of the change of registration to the vehicle.

Updating a certificate

'The purchaser' can apply to change the address on a V750/V778 by filling in the appropriate section and signing the certificate. The certificate can then be posted to DVLA Personalised Registrations, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DS. A faster alternative to post is to change the address online.

You can also add/modify nominee details - this can be done to allow the assignment of the registration to a vehicle that belongs to another keeper. It's recommended that you copy the name from their V5C to avoid any mistakes.

Note that DVLA will not change the purchaser's name.

If you are ready to assign to the nominated keeper's vehicle, you can add or change the nominee name at the same time as assigning. 'The purchaser' must sign the certificate to authorise any new nominee name.

If you purchased the registration from a number plate dealer, their name may be at the top of the certificate and, therefore, DVLA will regard them as 'the purchaser'. This means that the dealer will need to sign the certificate to authorise any changes or extensions on your behalf. Once you have assigned the mark to a vehicle, the dealer will no longer be involved.

Renewing a certificate

Every certificate has an expiry date. If the registration is not assigned to a vehicle before the expiry date then it must be renewed else the right to the registration may be lost.

Certificates will be renewed for a period of 10 years. If you bought from a number plate dealer you should contact them regards the renewal as they will likely be marked as 'the purchaser' on the certificate and need to arrange the extension on your behalf.

If you assign the registration to a vehicle you do not need to take any renewal steps - it is only certificates which have expiry dates.

Decided Not to Use the Retained Registration?

You can apply for a refund of the assignment fee if you have not assigned the registration number to a vehicle within 10 years of the validity of the certificate.

Complete the relevant section and sign the certificate. Only the purchaser can apply to receive the refund. The purchase price of the mark will not be refunded and the right to the private plate will be lost.