Assign a car registration number plate

If you are planning on changing your car number plate, you will need to assign a new one to the vehicle. If you want to assign a car registration plate to your vehicle, what you need to do depends on where the car number plate is now.

If you want to assign a registration number plate to your car but it's still on another vehicle, you will need to apply to transfer the private number plate directly from the 'donor' car.

The Retention Document (also referred to as a Certificate) shows details of the 'grantee' and maybe a 'nominee' (or this may be blank). To assign the car registration plate from a V778 Retention Document to your vehicle:

1. Check the V5 / V5C log book.
   Make sure the registered keeper of the receiving vehicle is the same as either the 'grantee' or the 'nominee' on the Retention Document. If it isn't, the person named as 'grantee' will need to make the necessary changes.
2. Check the expiry date on the document
   The V778 Retention document must be renewed annually. The expiry date is printed on the document. The document can be renewed - but only by the person named as 'grantee'. You cannot assign the registration if document has expired.
3. Take these documents to your local DVLA office:
   • Current V778 Retention Document
   • V5 Log book
   • MOT certificate (if applicable)
   • Tax disc serial number and expiry date (or a photocopy of tax disc)
4. You may need other documents.
   For example, you will need form V62 if you have just purchased the vehicle, and it's not yet in your name. Or a V10 if you need to tax the vehicle at the same time.

If you need to assign the personalised number plate to a car belonging to a person not named on the document, the 'grantee' must apply to the DVLA to have the name added to the Retention Document. DVLA fee applies. Full instructions can be found on the V778 Retention Document itself.

The Certificate of Entitlement (V750) shows the name of the 'purchaser' and maybe a 'nominee' (or nominee could be blank). To assign the personal number plate from a Certificate of Entitlement to your vehicle:

1. Check the V5 / V5C log book
   Check the registered keeper of the vehicle is the same as either the 'purchaser' or the 'nominee' on the Certificate of Entitlement. If it isn't, the perosn named as 'purchaser' will need to apply to have the Certificate changed.
2. Check the expiry date on the Certificate
   The V750 Certificate of Entitlement must be renewed annually. It can be renewed by the 'purchaser'.
3. Take these documents to your local DVLA office:
   • Current V750 Certificate of Entitlement
   • Log book
   • MOT certificate (if applicable)
   • Tax disc serial number and expiry date (or a photocopy of the tax disc)
4. You may need other documents
   For instance if you've bought a vehicle, and it's not yet been transferred into your name, you will need form V62.

To assign the registration number plate to a car belonging to a person whose name is not on the certificate, the 'purchaser' must apply to the DVLA to have the name added to the Certificate (as nominee). DVLA fee applies. Detailed instructions can be found on the V750 Certificate of Entitlement. If you don't have a private registration plate already, you will need to buy a personalised number plate. Decide on your budget. Look around for personal number plate ideas, then use our number plate price comparison service to find a personal number plate you like.