Questions After a Purchase
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- PREFIX SEARCH
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What are CURRENT style number plates? What are PREFIX style number plates?
These are the most frequently asked questions regarding a personalised registration after a purchase. Click on the relevant question or topic from the list below to get more detailed help on usage of the DVLA Personalised Registrations website.
What happens once I have a bought a personalised number from DVLA?
After you’ve made a purchase from DVLA we will send you a Certificate of Entitlement (V750). Keep this safe, as this is the form you will need when you are ready to put your personalised registration mark onto your vehicle.
Please allow 2 weeks to receive your certificate before requesting a duplicate.
Do I have to put the registration straight onto a vehicle?
No. You have until the expiry date shown on your V750 to put the mark onto a vehicle.
If you are still not ready to put your registration mark onto your vehicle before the expiry date printed on your certificate of entitlement, then you can extend the entitlement period for a further one year, two years or three years for a fee of £25 per year. You can apply online via “My Account” for 1 year or sign section 2 of the certificate of entitlement and send your application and cheque made payable to DVLA at DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DN. Your application must be made before the certificate expires but only within 28 days of the expiry date.
There is no limit to the number of times you can extend the entitlement period.
What happens if I lose my Certificate of Entitlement (V750)?
You can apply for a FREE duplicate online via ‘My Account’. Provided the certificate of entitlement has at least 1 week before the expiry date and the mark has never been put onto a vehicle.
How do I add or change the nominee details on my Certificate of Entitlement (V750)?
Simply go to ‘My Account’. There is a fee of £25 to add or change these details.
Alternatively if you are also ready to assign the registration to your vehicle you may make your application to add a nominee at the same time as assigning your registration mark at a DVLA local office by completing Sections 1, 2 and 6 of the Certificate of Entitlement [V750].
View a sample V750 certificate
How do I change the address on my Certificate of Entitlement (V750)?
How do I extend my entitlement period?
If you are still not ready to put your registration mark onto your vehicle before the expiry date printed on your Certificate of Entitlement, then you can extend the entitlement period for one year, online via ‘My Account’ for a fee of £25. You will have the option to do this for 28 days before the expiry of the certificate.
Alternatively you may extend your entitlement by 1, 2 or 3 year by simply completing sections 3 and 6 of the certificate of entitlement and send your application and cheque (£25 per year) made payable to DVLA at DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DN. If your certificate does not give you the option for 2/3 years extension you should submit a written request along with your certificate and the relevant fee. Your application must be made before the certificate expires but only within 28 days of the expiry date.
There is no limit to the number of times you can extend the entitlement period.
What happens if I’ve forgotten to extend my entitlement period?
You will need to attach a written explanation of why your application is late to the V750 Certificate of Entitlement and enclose a cheque made payable to DVLA for the appropriate fee. The address is DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DN. We will then be in touch to inform you if your application has been accepted.
What do I need to do when I am ready to put my personalised registration mark onto my vehicle?
You will need to apply to your local DVLA office. You can apply by post or in person although during busy times you may have to collect your documentation later. The reverse of your certificate under section B will describe the documents you will need to accompany your application. Please note that the purchaser of the registration mark will need to sign section 1 of the V750. Please note the V750 has recently been revised. If you have an older style certificate you should complete section 4.
DVLA Local Offices are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday with customer parking available. You do not need to make an appointment before hand.
Please allow 3 weeks for receipt of the Registration Certificate V5C following an assignment.
View a sample V750 certificate
Find your nearest DVLA local office.
How to register your vehicle
How do I get my number plate made up?
What is the correct display of a registration number?
Please see the PDF document on how to correctly display a registration number for more information.
Please note: It is an offence to alter, re-arrange or misrepresent a registration number. There is a maximum fine of £1000 and the registration number can be withdrawn without compensation.
If I decide to give up the rights to the registration mark can I apply for a refund of the £80 assignment fee?
Only if you bought the mark after 1 May 2023 and the mark has never been put onto a vehicle. You will also only be able to do this after the expiry date shown on your certificate of entitlement (V750) and up to six years after this date. To do this you should complete sections 5 & 6 on your certificate and return it to DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DN. Once you have done this you will no longer be entitled to the registration mark.
How do I check the validity of a certificate?
How do I sell my registration?
If you want to sell your registration we suggest you approach a private dealer or advertise the registration for sale yourself. DVLA’s sales scheme is confined to selling it’s own previously unissued registrations. We do not endorse or recommend any particular individual or company.
How can I put my registration on hold (keep/retain) when I decide to sell my car ?
You will need to complete a V317 – Application to transfer or retain a vehicle registration number. The cost to retain a registration number is £105.
Click here for further information including how to obtain an application form.
How do I apply for a duplicate Certificate of Entitlement [V750]?
You can apply for a FREE duplicate online via ‘My Account’. Provided the certificate of entitlement has at least 1 week before the expiry date and the mark has never been put onto a vehicle.
How do I find out who the Purchaser is?
If you are the nominee named on the V750, you can write to request the purchaser’s details accompanied by the fee of £5.00. You must explain why you are requesting the details and when you bought the registration mark. Please write to:
DVLA Personalised Registrations
Release of Information
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DN
How do I transfer my registration mark from one vehicle to another?
You will need to complete a V317 – Application to transfer or retain a vehicle registration number. The cost to retain a registration number is £105.
Click here for further information including how to obtain an application form.
I’ve changed my mind; can I cancel my purchase?
If you have not already applied to assign this vehicle registration number, you can cancel your purchase by emailing us at [email protected] within 10 working days after the date of purchase. Applications to cancel made after 10 working days will not be accepted.
In your email please include:
– the registration number you purchased
– your full name and address, as it was given at the time of sale. If you are applying on behalf of a company, please provide us your position in that company
– a declaration that you will destroy the Certificate of Entitlement (V750) once we have confirmed that your purchase has been cancelled. If you have not yet received the V750, you will do so within 10 working days after your purchase.
You will receive a reply within 10 working days of your request, and if approved, a refund will be made to the payment card used at the time of purchase. There is no cancellation fee but please note that we do not refund any fees you may have paid for extending the assignment period or changing nominee details.
Please be aware our 10 day cancellation policy does not apply to any auction purchases.