How to Transfer a Private Registration

Transferring registration plates from car to car (or any suitable vehicle) requirements

The vehicles need to be:

• Registered with the DVLA in the UK
• Of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate
• Taxed or had a SORN in place continuously for the past 5 years
• Available for inspection - sometimes the DVLA will inspect vehicles during this process, they will contact you if they wish to inspect one of your vehicles

Also note that:

• You cannot transfer to or from a vehicle registered with a Q or NIQ mark.
• You cannot use a private number that makes a vehicle look newer than it is. You can check the age of your vehicle by comparing the year identifier of your current registration against our year of first registration list.

Transferring registration plates from car to car online

First you will need to take the number plate off the vehicle. To apply to do this online, visit https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers.

You will need a:

• note of the registration number
• the latest V5C (logbook) document reference number
• the postcode of the registered keeper as it appears on the V5C (logbook)

You will then:

• be asked to confirm that you are the registered keeper or have consent to act on behalf of the registered keeper
• need to pay £80 and the number plate will be removed immediately if your vehicle does not need an inspection

You can then assign the number to the other vehicle as soon as you've applied to take it off - use the reference number you get after you apply and visit https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers, this time selecting 'Assign a private number to a vehicle'. And you're done! You've transferred your registration online.

Private number plate transfer by post using the V317 Form

You will need a copy of the V317 form (an application to transfer or retain a vehicle registration number). You can download this plate transfer form online, or if you're unable to print it out, you can collect a copy from most larger Post Offices.

Section two of the V317 form should be signed and completed by the keeper of the donor vehicle (the car from which the number plate is being transferred). Section three of the form asks for the details of the keeper and vehicle the number plate is being transferred to.

Send this completed form, payment for £80 (cheques made out to "DVLA Swansea") and the V5C (logbook) for both cars (or a completed V62 "Application for a vehicle registration certificate V5C" if you lack the V5C) to DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1AR.

Within 28 to 42 days you will be sent replacement V5C's for both vehicles, the donor vehicle will show a replacement registration, and the car you've transferred the private plate to should be showing the private plate.

You can now arrange to have some acrylic plates manufactured to attach to the cars.

Final steps to complete a private plate transfer

Once the number plates have been changed on both vehicles you will need to update your insurers with details of your cherished transfer.