V778 Retention Document Guide

A V778 retention document allows you to keep the rights to a personalised registration while it is not assigned to a vehicle.

Whether you need to renew a retention certificate before it expires, assign a registration number to a vehicle, keep your details up to date or replace a lost document, there are several situations where your V778 may need to be updated or used.

This guide covers the key information and processes you need to know once a V778 has been issued. If you need to place a registration on retention, see our guide on retaining a registration number.

V778 At A Glance

The table below covers the most common questions about V778 retention documents, including renewals, assignments, transfers and expiry dates.

Question	Answer
What is a V778?	A DVLA retention document that gives you the right to keep a personalised registration while it is not assigned to a vehicle.
How do I get a V778?	Apply to remove a personalised registration from a vehicle and place it on retention with the DVLA. A V778 retention document will then be issued.
How long is a V778 valid for?	10 years.
Can I renew a V778?	Yes, before the expiry date.
Can I assign a registration from a V778?	Yes, to an eligible vehicle.
Can I transfer a V778 to a new owner?	Yes, the rights to a registration held on a V778 can be transferred to another person.
Can I change the nominee on a V778?	Yes
Can I change the address on a V778?	Yes
Can I replace a lost V778?	Yes, replacement retention documents can be requested from the DVLA.
What happens if a V778 expires?	You may permanently lose the right to the registration if it is not renewed before expiry.

Who Can Manage A V778 Document?

Most actions relating to a V778 retention document can only be carried out by the grantee named on the certificate. This includes renewing a retention document, updating details, changing a nominee and transferring ownership of the registration.

A nominee can be added to a V778 to allow another person to assign the registration to a vehicle. However, the nominee does not own the registration while it remains on retention – the rights remain with the grantee until the registration is assigned.

Term	Meaning
Grantee	The person who owns the rights to the registration and can manage the V778.
Nominee	A person authorised to assign the registration to a vehicle.

How To Renew A V778 Retention Document

A V778 retention document is valid for 10 years. If the registration remains on retention and you are not ready to assign it to a vehicle, the document must be renewed before it expires. Renewing a V778 is the process used to extend a retention document and retain the rights to the registration.

How Do I Renew A V778?

Only the grantee named on the V778 can apply to renew the retention document. To renew by post, complete section 5 of the V778 and sign section 6 before sending the document to:

DVLA Personalised Registrations
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DS

As the owner of the registration, it is your responsibility to ensure the renewal is completed before the expiry date shown on the document. V778 retention documents cannot currently be renewed online.

When Can I Renew A V778?

You can apply to renew a V778 retention document up to 28 days before the expiry date. Applying earlier than this may result in your application being refused. Successfully renewing the document will extend the retention period and allow the registration to remain on retention.

Does It Cost Anything To Renew A V778?

No. V778 retention document renewals are free of charge.

What Happens If My V778 Expires?

If a V778 retention document is not renewed before the expiry date, you may permanently lose the right to the registration. The DVLA does not accept late renewal applications, so it is important to renew the document before it expires.

How To Assign A Registration From A V778

A registration held on a V778 retention document can be assigned to an eligible vehicle at any time. Once assigned, the registration is no longer held on retention and becomes the vehicle's registered number plate.

Can I Assign A Registration To A Registered Vehicle?

Yes. Registrations held on a V778 can be assigned to eligible registered vehicles online through the DVLA or by post.

Before assigning a registration, the vehicle must:

Be registered with the DVLA.
Have been continuously taxed for the last 5 years, or covered by a SORN declaration.
Have a valid MOT if required.
Be available for inspection if requested by the DVLA.

If applying by post, the grantee must complete section 1 of the V778. If you want to assign the registration to a vehicle owner who is not the grantee, a nominee can be added or updated using section 2 of the V778 before the application is submitted.

The completed V778 and the vehicle's V5C log book should then be sent to the DVLA.

Can I Assign A Registration To An Unregistered Vehicle?

Yes. If you are assigning a registration to a new vehicle that has not yet been registered, the supplying dealer will normally handle the process on your behalf using the V778 retention document.

What Documents Do I Need To Assign A Registration?

In most cases, you will need:

The V778 retention document.
The vehicle's V5C log book (for registered vehicles).
Access to the details shown on the V778 if applying online.
The nominee's details if assigning the registration to somebody else.

What Happens After A Registration Is Assigned?

The DVLA may contact you if a vehicle inspection is required. Once the application has been approved, a replacement V5C showing the new registration will be issued, although this can take several weeks to arrive.

After the assignment has been completed, you should also update your vehicle insurance details to ensure they match the vehicle's new registration number.

How To Update A V778 Retention Document

If any of the details shown on your V778 retention document change, the document should be updated before the registration is assigned, renewed or transferred. Only the grantee named on the V778 can request changes to a retention document.

How Do I Change The Address On A V778?

If you need to make a V778 change of address, the grantee can update the address shown on the retention document by completing section 3 and signing section 6.

Keeping your address up to date helps ensure that future correspondence relating to the registration is sent to the correct location. Completing a retention document change of address promptly can also help avoid delays when renewing, assigning or transferring the registration.

Can I Change The Nominee On A V778?

Yes. The grantee can add, remove or change a nominee at any time by completing section 2 of the V778 and signing section 6.

A nominee can be authorised to assign the registration to a vehicle, but does not own the registration while it remains on retention. The rights to the registration remain with the grantee until the registration is assigned.

When Should I Update A V778?

You should update a V778 retention document if:

You need to complete a V778 change of address following a house move.
You want to add, remove or change a nominee.
The information shown on the document is incorrect.
The registration is due to be assigned or transferred and the details need updating first.

Updating a retention document before taking further action can help avoid delays and ensure the registration can be managed correctly.

Can I Transfer A V778 To A New Owner?

Yes. The rights to a registration held on a V778 retention document can be transferred to another person, allowing them to receive and use the registration in the future. The registration must ultimately be assigned to a vehicle in their name before it can be used.

This is commonly done when gifting a private plate to a family member, selling a personalised registration, or assigning a retained number plate to someone else’s vehicle.

How Do I Transfer A V778 To A New Owner?

To transfer the registration, the grantee should add or update the nominee details on the V778 before the registration is assigned. The grantee can add or change a nominee at any time by completing section 2 of the V778 and signing section 6. The updated document should then be sent to the DVLA for processing.

While the registration remains on retention, the grantee still holds the rights to the registration. The nominee only receives the right to the registration when it is assigned to their vehicle.

Before giving or selling a registration, make sure the nominee details are correct and avoid sharing photos or scans of the V778 document, as the details could be used to assign the registration without your permission.

What Information Do I Need To Transfer A V778?

Before transferring a V778, ensure you have:

The V778 retention document.
The correct details for the new nominee.
The grantee's signature where required.
Details of the vehicle if the registration is being assigned immediately.

Making sure the information is accurate can help avoid delays when the registration is eventually assigned.

Replacing A Lost V778 Document

If your V778 retention document has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you can contact the DVLA to request a replacement.

Losing a V778 does not automatically mean you lose the rights to the registration, but you may be unable to renew, assign or transfer the registration until a replacement document has been issued.

When requesting a V778 replacement, you may be asked to provide:

The registration number shown on the V778
The grantee's name and address.
Details relating to the retention document.
Any other information required to verify ownership of the registration rights.

Because a V778 contains information that can be used to manage or assign a registration, it is important to act promptly if the document has been lost or stolen. If the registration is due to expire soon, contacting the DVLA as quickly as possible can help avoid delays with renewal or assignment.

If you believe your V778 has been stolen, contact the DVLA immediately to help protect the registration from unauthorised use.

V750 vs V778: What's The Difference?

Both V750 and V778 documents relate to personalised registrations, but they are used in different situations.

A V750 Certificate of Entitlement is issued when a registration is purchased but has not yet been assigned to a vehicle. A V778 Retention Document is issued when a registration has been removed from a vehicle and placed on retention.

Both documents can be used to assign a registration to a vehicle and can be renewed before they expire. However, if you already have a registration on a V778, the guidance throughout this page will apply to your retention document rather than a V750.

FAQs: DVLA V778 Document

Can a V778 be used on any vehicle?

A registration held on a V778 can only be assigned to an eligible vehicle that meets DVLA requirements.

Registrations held on retention can typically be assigned to:

Cars
Motorcycles
Vans
Other eligible DVLA-registered vehicles

However, the registration cannot be used if it would make the vehicle appear newer than it is. Before assigning a registration held under personal registration retention, it is important to check that the vehicle meets the DVLA's eligibility requirements.

Can I have more than one private registration on retention?

Yes. There is no limit to the number of personalised registrations you can hold on retention, provided each registration has its own valid V778 retention document.

Many collectors, enthusiasts and registration investors hold multiple registrations on retention until they are ready to assign, transfer or sell them.

What if I decide not to use a registration held on a V778?

If you no longer wish to keep a registration held on a V778 retention document, the grantee may be able to apply for a refund of the £80 retention fee shown on the certificate, subject to the DVLA's refund conditions.

To apply, the grantee should complete section 5 of the V778, sign section 6 and send the document to DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DS.

Before applying, it is important to understand that any amount paid to purchase the personalised registration will not be refunded. Once the refund has been processed, the rights to the registration will be lost and the registration cannot be recovered.

What happens to a V778 if the grantee dies?

If the grantee dies, the rights to the registration do not automatically transfer to another person. The executor or administrator of the estate will normally need to contact the DVLA and provide the relevant documentation before the registration can be transferred, assigned or retained as part of the estate.

It is advisable to contact the DVLA directly for guidance on the process, as requirements can vary depending on the circumstances.

Can I assign a V778 registration to a leased or financed vehicle?

Yes, in many cases you can assign a registration held on a V778 to a leased or financed vehicle. However, because the leasing company or finance provider is often the legal owner of the vehicle, their permission will usually be required before the registration can be assigned.

The exact process varies between providers, but it typically involves:

Contacting the leasing or finance company for approval.
Providing details of the registration and V778 retention document.
Completing any forms required by the provider.
Paying any administration fees that may apply.
Waiting for confirmation from the DVLA before displaying the new number plates.

If your provider requires the registration to be assigned in their name first, they will advise you on the process and any additional documentation required.

Can a company buy and retain a registration with a V778?

Yes. Companies can purchase, hold and retain personalised registrations in the same way as private individuals. The registration can be placed on retention and managed using a V778 retention document.

This is commonly done by businesses wishing to secure a registration for branding purposes, future vehicle purchases or fleet use.

Can I keep a registration on retention indefinitely?

Yes. A registration can remain on retention indefinitely, provided the V778 retention document is renewed before each expiry date.

V778 retention documents are valid for 10 years at a time and can be renewed before they expire. As long as each renewal is completed successfully, the registration can continue to be held on retention without being assigned to a vehicle.

If a retention document is allowed to expire without being renewed, you may lose the rights to the registration.

Wrapping Up

From renewals and assignments to transfers and replacement documents, the DVLA V778 retention document plays an important role in managing a personalised registration while it remains off a vehicle. Keeping your details up to date and renewing the document before it expires can help ensure your registration remains available when you need it.

If you're looking for a new personalised registration or need help with a number plate transfer, National Numbers offers one of the UK's largest selections of private plates, backed by more than 40 years of industry experience.

Browse our available private registrations online or call 01642 363738 or message us via WhatsApp for expert help finding, buying or managing a personalised number plate.