Transferring a private number plate — whether you call it a personalised registration, cherished plate, or private reg — is a simple DVLA process. But understanding retention, assignment, V750/V778 certificates, the EV948 authorisation, and common errors (like an EV948 expired) can be confusing.

This complete guide breaks everything down, step by step.
It also covers what to do after the transfer — including how to order legal replacement number plates before driving the vehicle.

Quick Navigation

• Requirements
• Retain the Plate
• Assign the Plate
• EV948 Guide
• Common Problems
• FAQs

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Why Transfer Your Private Number Plate?

Your private registration may have:

• sentimental or family meaning
• investment value
• branding/personal identity
• a cleaner or shorter look compared to standard plates

Transferring your plate allows you to take it with you when changing vehicles.
Whether you’re assigning, retaining, or transferring plates to a new car, the DVLA gives you the tools to manage the process easily.

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What You Need Before Transferring or Assigning a Private Number Plate

Before starting a DVLA number plate transfer, gather:

✔ V750 Certificate of Entitlement

You’ll have this if the plate is brand new and hasn’t been used yet.

✔ V778 Retention Document

You’ll have this if the plate has already been removed from a vehicle and placed “on retention”.

✔ V5C Logbook

For the vehicle receiving the private plate.

✔ Valid Tax and MOT

The receiving vehicle must be taxed or SORN’d, and MOT’d if over 3 years old.

✔ £80 DVLA Transfer Fee

Paid when retaining a plate; assignment is normally free.

✔ Legal number plates for the new reg

You MUST fit plates displaying the private registration before driving.

👉 Order replacement number plates →

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Step 1 — Retain the Plate (Removing the Registration From Your Old Vehicle)

If your private plate is currently on a vehicle, you must retain it first.
This removes the plate from the old car and keeps it safe for reassignment.

Retain Online (Instant DVLA Process)

Use: “Take a private number off a vehicle (DVLA)”

You’ll instantly receive:

• a V778 retention certificate (valid 10 years)
• the old car’s original age-related reg restored

When might it not be instant?

• Vehicle requires inspection
• Vehicle details don’t match DVLA records
• MOT/tax status is not aligned

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Retain by Post (Form V317)

Send:

• Form V317
• Your V5C logbook
• £80 transfer fee

The DVLA will return:

• a V778 retention document
• a new V5C for the old vehicle

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🌱 Need New Plates After Removing Your Private Reg?

Once your old car goes back to its age-related reg, you’ll need fresh plates.

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Step 2 — Assign the Private Plate to Your New Car

Once you have your V750 or V778, you are ready to assign the registration to another vehicle.

Assign Online (Fastest Method — 7am–7pm)

Use: “Assign a private number (DVLA)”

This is normally instant.
You will receive:

• On-screen confirmation
• Email confirmation
• Sometimes an eV948 certificate (more on this below)

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Assign by Post (Form V317)

Send the DVLA:

• V317
• V750 or V778
• V5C of the receiving vehicle

Processing usually takes 2–5 working days unless inspection is needed.

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⚠️ Understanding the eV948 Certificate (And What To Do If It Expires)

The eV948 authorisation certificate is a temporary DVLA document that lets you have your physical plates made immediately after a transfer.

How long does eV948 last?

3 working days.
After that — it expires.

What if my eV948 expired?

If your eV948 expires:

✔ You can request a new eV948 online

Log into your DVLA account and request a replacement certificate.

✔ Ensure the vehicle’s new reg has fully updated

If the transfer hasn’t finalised, wait for the updated V5C to arrive.

✔ You can still order number plates once you have the new eV948

You must present:

• V5C (updated)
  OR
• A valid eV948

💡 Many drivers realise their eV948 expired because they didn’t order plates quickly enough.
Don’t worry — the DVLA allows reissuing.

👉 Order your plates here once you have your valid eV948 →

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Step 3 — After the DVLA Assigns Your Private Plate

Once the number is successfully assigned:

✔ You receive a new V5C

This shows your private registration.

✔ Your tax and MOT update automatically

Nothing extra needed.

✔ Fit your new plates before driving

Driving without updated plates is illegal and can trigger ANPR penalties.

👉 Order your road-legal number plates now →

✔ Update your insurance

Your insurer must be informed of the new registration.

✔ Update services like:

• Congestion Charge
• Clean Air Zones
• Toll accounts
• Parking permits

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How to Transfer a Private Plate to a Car You Just Bought

This is another common query.
Yes, you can transfer a plate to a recently purchased car as long as:

• the V5C is in your name
• the vehicle is taxed/SORN’d
• the MOT is valid (if needed)

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Transferring Plates Between Two Cars You Own

The DVLA process is the same:

1. Remove plate from Car A → V778
2. Assign plate to Car B → new V5C

If either car needs inspection, DVLA will notify you.

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How to Keep Your Plate Unassigned (Retention Explained)

If you’re not ready to put your plate onto a new car yet:

• You can keep it on retention for 10 years
• Renewal is free
• You must renew before expiry or you lose the registration permanently

Many people retain:

• while searching for a new car
• while selling their old car
• while waiting for a plate-friendly vehicle

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Common Problems and How to Fix Them

❌ EV948 expired

✔ Request new eV948
✔ Wait for updated V5C
✔ Order plates with new certificate

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❌ Online DVLA transfer failed

Usually caused by:

• MOT or tax expiry
• Incorrect V5C details
• Vehicle requiring inspection

Fix: Correct the issue and try again.

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❌ V750 or V778 expired

You must renew before expiry — expired documents cannot be used.

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❌ Change of address on V778

Use the DVLA online service or write directly to DVLA to request an updated document.

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❌ Assigned plate not showing on insurance

Call insurer immediately — ANPR cameras rely on updated databases.

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🟨 Ready to Fit Your New Plates? Order Now

Whether you need standard plates, 4D plates, gel plates, EV plates, short plates, or replacements — we supply fully legal, BS AU 145e-approved number plates.

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FAQ’s

Final Thoughts

Transferring a private number plate is simple when you follow DVLA steps — retain, assign, confirm, and fit new plates. The most common problem drivers face is forgetting to order new plates after transfer or letting documents like the eV948 expire.

If you’re completing a transfer now:

👉 Order your DVLA-approved number plates today — fast UK delivery.