Advice
Transfer number plates online or using a V317 Form
Learn how to transfer your private number plates to another car using the V317 Form.
Words by: Nimisha Jain
Published on 18 May 2023 | 0 min read
Having a car with a private number plate is a big flex – it helps personalise your car and makes it stand out on the roads.
But what happens to these plates if you decide to buy a new car or simply sell the previous one? Well, the DVLA have a solution for you – you can transfer these number plates to your new car. If you want to transfer the number plate to a brand-new car, all you have to do is give your V750 or our V778 document to the car dealer. If you’re transferring the number plate to a second-hand car, you can do so using a V317 Form. You can either apply online or by post to inform the DVLA.
But what happens to these plates if you decide to buy a new car or simply sell the previous one? Well, the DVLA have a solution for you – you can transfer these number plates to your new car. If you want to transfer the number plate to a brand-new car, all you have to do is give your V750 or our V778 document to the car dealer. If you’re transferring the number plate to a second-hand car, you can do so using a V317 Form. You can either apply online or by post to inform the DVLA.
Applying online to transfer private number plates
To transfer your number plates to another second-hand car online, you’ll first have to head to Gov.uk.
Once you’re on Gov.uk, you’ll be asked to enter your new car’s registration number, your current car’s registration number and provide your V5C reference number and postcode. Once you’ve entered these details, you’ll need to provide your V750 certificate or V778 document reference number. Once you’ve provided all your details, the final step is paying the £80 fee – and that’s it. Once the DVLA receives your application, they will process it and automatically reassign the number plates to your other car.
Once you’re on Gov.uk, you’ll be asked to enter your new car’s registration number, your current car’s registration number and provide your V5C reference number and postcode. Once you’ve entered these details, you’ll need to provide your V750 certificate or V778 document reference number. Once you’ve provided all your details, the final step is paying the £80 fee – and that’s it. Once the DVLA receives your application, they will process it and automatically reassign the number plates to your other car.
Applying by post to transfer private number plates
If you want to transfer your private number plates to another second-hand car via post, you can do so using a V317 Form.
You can either print out a V317 Form or order the form from Gov.uk. Once you have the V317 Form, you’ll need to fill in sections 1 – 5 under option A. Once you’ve filled in all the details, you’ll have to pay the £80 fee using a cheque, banker’s draft or through postal order made payable to ‘DVLA Swansea’. And that’s it, all you need to do is post the completed V317 Form and the fee to DVLA at: DVLA Personalised Registrations Swansea SA99 1DS
You can either print out a V317 Form or order the form from Gov.uk. Once you have the V317 Form, you’ll need to fill in sections 1 – 5 under option A. Once you’ve filled in all the details, you’ll have to pay the £80 fee using a cheque, banker’s draft or through postal order made payable to ‘DVLA Swansea’. And that’s it, all you need to do is post the completed V317 Form and the fee to DVLA at: DVLA Personalised Registrations Swansea SA99 1DS
What happens after you’ve applied to transfer number plates
Once your application is successful and the DVLA has transferred your private number plates to the new car, you’ll receive a new V5C logbook in the next four weeks.
Remember, you need to put the original number plate (if you have it) or a new number plate on the previous car to legally drive it again. Once you have your new registration number for the previous car, you’ll have to inform your insurance company about the change as well as update your car details anywhere else it’s registered, for example: if you make any automatic payments for the car like any CAZ or ULEZ areas.
Remember, you need to put the original number plate (if you have it) or a new number plate on the previous car to legally drive it again. Once you have your new registration number for the previous car, you’ll have to inform your insurance company about the change as well as update your car details anywhere else it’s registered, for example: if you make any automatic payments for the car like any CAZ or ULEZ areas.
Taking number plates off without transferring
In some scenarios, you may only want to take the number plates off (also known as number plate ‘retention’), example: if you’re still in the process of buying a new car, you’re looking to buy a car in the future, or you simply want to sell or scrap your current car.
If you want to take off and retain your private number plates, you can do so by applying here on Gov.uk or by post using a V317 form and filling in sections 1-4 under Option B. Once your form has been successfully submitted and processed, you will receive a new V5C logbook and a V778 retention document that allows you to transfer the number plate as and when you want for the next 10 years. After 10 years, you must renew your V778 document. Thinking of buying personalised number plates? Learn more about private number plates. There are various other DVLA services you can use when buying a car. Find out more.
If you want to take off and retain your private number plates, you can do so by applying here on Gov.uk or by post using a V317 form and filling in sections 1-4 under Option B. Once your form has been successfully submitted and processed, you will receive a new V5C logbook and a V778 retention document that allows you to transfer the number plate as and when you want for the next 10 years. After 10 years, you must renew your V778 document. Thinking of buying personalised number plates? Learn more about private number plates. There are various other DVLA services you can use when buying a car. Find out more.