See our quick checklist below:

1. You must be the owner of the vehicle, named on the V5 log book of the donor vehicle
2. The number plate must be transferable.

   Check the V5/V5C log book. The registration number may be non transferable.

3. Tax disc on the donor vehicle should not be expired.

   You may be able to transfer the personalised number plate if the tax disc exprired less than 12 months ago, and you declared a SORN straightaway.

4. Tax disc on the receiving vehicle should be current.

   If the tax disc has expired, you will need to apply for one at the same time as the number plate transfer.

5. The vehicle should have a current MOT (if applicable).

   You may still be able to transfer the number plate, if the MOT expired less than 12 months ago.

6. The donor vehicle should be ‘testable’.

   Some vehicles, such as tractors and milk floats, don’t come under the DVLA’s number plate transfer scheme.

7. Q and NIQ number plates cannot be transferred

For full rules see  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/index.htm

You can transfer a car registration number directly from one car to another. Follow our step-by-step guide:

1. Complete DVLA form V317 Application to Transfer or Retain a Vehicle Registration Number.

   You can get this from your local DVLA Office, or download it here: number plate transfer form

2. Take the completed form (or send it by post) to your local DVLA office with the following documents:
   • V5/V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate for each vehicle – original document
   • MOT certificate for each vehicle – original documents
   • Tax disc details – serial number and expiry date.

     We suggest you take a photocopy of the tax disc to avoid error.

3. You may be asked to produce your vehicle at the DVLA office before the number plate transfer is approved

You’ll find full instructions on the V317 form.

If you are selling your vehicle, but don’t have another vehicle to transfer the number plate to, you can place it on a registration number Retention Document V778. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Complete DVLA form V317 Application to Transfer or Retain a Vehicle Registration Number.

   You can get this from your local DVLA Office, or !
   download it here: number plate retention form

2. Take the completed form (or send it by post) to your local DVLA office with the following documents:
   • V5/V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate for the vehicle – original document
   • MOT certificate for the vehicle – original documents
   • Tax disc details – serial number and expiry date.

     We suggest you take a photocopy of the tax disc to avoid error.

3. You may be asked to produce your vehicle at the DVLA office before the number plate retention is approved.

You’ll find full instructions on the V778/1 form.

Transferring car registration numbers (to another car or onto a Retention Document) takes a couple of weeks or so. The DVLA office may decide to inspect your vehicle before the number plate transfer is approved – this could slow things down a little. You should allow time for this if you are selling your car.

Note: If the MOT or tax has run out, don’t drive your vehicle to the DVLA office for inspection.

When you transfer a personalised number plate, you will need a replacement car registration number for the donor vehicle. When the transfer of your registration number is approved, the DVLA will issue you with replacement registration number. All you will need to do is have the number plates made up.

Replacement registration numbers are issued as non transferable – that means you won’t be able to sell it. But you will be able to assign another personal number plate to it in the future.

Current DVLA fees for transferring car registration numbers are as follows:

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