Transferring a registration mark and how to apply :Cross Stitch – Motoring

As the registered keeper of your vehicle, you can apply to transfer the registration number from your vehicle to another vehicle in your name, to a vehicle you are buying, or to someone else’s vehicle.

You can transfer your vehicle registration number:

from your vehicle to another one in your name
to a vehicle you’re buying
to someone else’s vehicle

You can’t transfer a registration number:

starting with ‘Q’ or ‘NIQ’ for Northern Ireland registered vehicles
if it will make the vehicle it’s being transferred to look younger

To transfer the registration number, both vehicles must be:

registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
available for inspection
of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate
currently taxed

However, if the vehicle that currently has the registration number is not taxed, you can still apply to transfer provided:

there is no break between the date the tax disc runs out and the start of the SORN
the tax disc run out no more than 12 months before the date you apply

You can transfer a Northern Ireland registration number between vehicles registered at DVLA, Swansea and the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland. Both vehicles must meet the conditions to transfer a registration number. Contact the DVA for further information.

The DVLA local office may need to inspect both vehicles and will contact you to arrange an appointment. If they don’t need to inspect, they’ll approve your application within two weeks.

On approving your application, the DVLA local office will send you:

a confirmation letter to advise the replacement registration number
new tax discs for both vehicles showing the new and replacement registration numbers
an authorisation letter (V948) to get your number plates made up
a replacement MOT test certificate for cars and motorcycles over three years old, and heavy goods vehicles over one year old

Please note the MOT test certificate will no longer be printed in green, this will be replaced by a black text on a white background.

Allow at least two weeks, after sending your application, before contacting DVLA customer enquiries if you don’t receive these documents.

DVLA, Swansea will send new registration certificates for both vehicles showing the new and replacement registration numbers. These should arrive within four weeks of the confirmation letter. It can take up to six weeks if a V62 application was used to support the application.

You must not sell or get rid of your vehicle until you receive a new registration certificate, as the new keeper will be entitled to keep the registration number if they want to.

As the registered keeper you are responsible for informing your insurance provider of your new registration number.