DVLA Number Plate Transfer: Guide to Assign & Switch Plates

Transferring a DVLA number plate in the UK costs £80 and requires either the V317 form by post or the online service at Gov.uk. Both methods need the V5C logbook from your vehicle, and processing typically takes 2–4 weeks before your updated registration documents arrive.

Transfer fee: £80 | Application method: Online or V317 form | Required document: V5C logbook | Keeping fee: Free online | Assign fee: Free online

Form V317 is used to transfer a vehicle registration number from one vehicle to another or to retain it. The fee is £80 – cheque, banker’s draft or postal order. Use form V317 to transfer a vehicle registration number from one vehicle to another.

How to transfer reg plate in the UK?

You can complete the process by putting the registration number onto the vehicle straight away or retain it on a V778 document. Online applications through Gov.uk tend to process faster than postal submissions. To begin, you will need the V5C logbook from the vehicle currently displaying the plate, along with the V5C from the vehicle receiving the plate.

Gather required documents

Both vehicles must have valid V5C logbooks for transfer. The original logbooks are required, not copies. You will also need to know the registration numbers of both vehicles, the V5C reference number (found in section 2 of the logbook), and your postcode. For transfers involving another person, both keepers sign the V317 form. If a new keeper supplement is needed, include the V62 form with your V317 application.

Complete V317 application

The online transfer process starts at Gov.uk by entering the new car’s registration, current car’s registration, V5C reference, and postcode. The registered keeper fills in sections 2, 3, and 9.1; the grantee or nominee completes sections 9.1 and 9.2. If you are taxing the vehicle as part of the application, use form V10 along with your MOT certificate.

For postal V317, fill sections 1–5 under Option A for transfer to another vehicle. Option B on V317 is for retaining the plate, issuing a V778 document valid for 10 years. Payment for postal V317 is by cheque, banker’s draft or postal order to DVLA Swansea. The postal address is DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea SA99 1DS.

Submit to DVLA

Online retention and transfer is available at www.gov.uk/keep-registration-number for £80. Submit your application and await confirmation. Include your vehicle make, model, and phone contact on the V317 checklist. Insurance certificate is required if taxing the vehicle (Northern Ireland only).

The fee is £80 – cheque, banker’s draft or postal order.

— GOV.UK, Official V317 Form

You can complete the process by putting the registration number onto the vehicle straight away or retain it on a V778 document.

— GOV.UK, Official V317 Form PDF

How long does it take to change a number plate?

Processing time for V317 is typically 2–4 weeks according to multiple sources. Online applications generally process faster than postal applications, though the exact timeline depends on DVLA workload and whether all documents are correctly submitted.

Processing timelines

Once DVLA receives and approves your V317, both vehicles receive updated V5C logbooks – the donor vehicle loses the registration number while the recipient vehicle gains it. If you have assigned the plate directly to a new vehicle, the V5C will show the new registration immediately.

The V778 document confirming your retained number arrives separately and may take up to 6 weeks total from submission to receipt. Factor this into your timeline if you need the physical retention certificate for any reason.

Factors affecting speed

Incomplete applications cause delays. Missing signatures, incorrect registration numbers, or unclear documentation will cause DVLA to return the application or request clarification. Ensure both keeper signatures are present when transferring to another person’s vehicle. Include the vehicle make, model, and contact phone number on the V317 form checklist.

Is it free to change a number plate?

The £80 DVLA fee applies to both transfer and retention applications. Some sources suggest VAT may be added by third parties, but the official DVLA fee is £80. When using online services at Gov.uk, the application itself is handled through the £80 fee structure.

Free applications

Keeping a registration number (retention) or assigning it to a new vehicle are separate actions from the transfer fee. The retention process produces a V778 certificate valid for 10 years, renewable after expiry. Applying to keep your number is free; the £80 fee covers the transfer to a vehicle.

Paid transfers

When you transfer a plate to another vehicle, the £80 DVLA fee applies. This covers processing of the V317 form and updating both vehicle records. Payment by post must be cheque, banker’s draft or postal order made payable to DVLA Swansea.

What are the requirements for transfer of ownership?

Both vehicles must be UK registered and eligible for the transfer. The plate cannot be assigned if it would make the vehicle appear newer than its first registration date. This is a key eligibility rule enforced by DVLA.

Vehicle documents needed

You need the original V5C logbooks for both the donor and recipient vehicles. Vehicles must be taxed and have a valid MOT if required, with updated keeper details. When transferring to another person, both keepers sign the V317 form to confirm agreement.

Ownership proofs

The registered keeper must apply. A nominee process exists for V750 or V778 if the registered keeper is not making the application themselves. The grantee or nominee signs section 9.2 of the V317 form in these cases.

How to switch number plates in the UK?

The online process involves first removing the plate from your current vehicle, obtaining a reference number, then assigning it to the new vehicle. Two V317 applications are needed to swap plates between two cars.

Remove existing plate

Before applying, you must remove the current private plate from your vehicle. Obtain the reference number through the DVLA online service at www.gov.uk/keep-registration-number. This reference is required before you can assign the plate to the new vehicle.

Assign new plate

Using the gov.uk online service, enter your reference number and the new vehicle’s registration. The system will confirm eligibility and process the assignment. DVLA issues updated V5C and V778 after approval.

How to retain a DVLA number plate?

Select Option B on the V317 form to retain a registration number. This issues a V778 document valid for 10 years. The retention process is separate from transfer and allows you to keep the registration even without assigning it to a vehicle.

Free online retention

Keeping a registration number via the online service at www.gov.uk/keep-registration-number is free. Complete section 3 of the V5C to generate the V750 certificate, then use the gov.uk service to formalize the retention. The V778 document arrives by post and is valid for 10 years.

V750 and V778 documents

The V750 is the certificate of entitlement for assignments; the V778 is the retention certificate issued after Option B selection. Both documents serve as proof of your right to use the registration number. Retention is renewable after 10 years when the V778 expires.

How to put a private plate on a car?

Assignment steps involve using the gov.uk online service with your V778 or V750 certificate and the new vehicle’s V5C. The new vehicle’s V5C gets updated after DVLA approves the assignment. Both online keep and online assign processes are free – the £80 fee applies only to transfers.

Online assignment process

Navigate to www.gov.uk/keep-registration-number and follow the prompts to assign your retained registration to your vehicle. You will need your V778 reference number, the new vehicle’s registration, and the V5C reference from section 2 of the logbook. DVLA confirms assignment and posts the updated V5C.

After assignment

Once approved, the new vehicle’s V5C reflects the assigned registration number. Display the number plate physically on the vehicle. The previous vehicle’s V5C is simultaneously updated to remove the registration.

How to remove a private plate from a vehicle?

Removing a private plate involves either transferring it to another vehicle or retaining it on the V778 certificate. The plate must be removed from the current vehicle before the registration can be reassigned or retained.

Before removal

Confirm eligibility: the vehicle must be UK registered, and the plate cannot make the vehicle appear newer than its first registration date. Ensure you have the V5C reference number from section 2 of the logbook before proceeding.

Online removal

Use the gov.uk service to first remove the plate and obtain a reference number. This reference is then used to assign the plate to a new vehicle or retain it on the V778 certificate. Online removal is free and processed faster than postal applications.

DVLA issues updated V5C and V778 after approval. The processing time for V317 is typically 2–4 weeks. Online application usually faster than post. Both vehicles must have valid V5C logbooks for transfer. Vehicles must be taxed, have valid MOT if required, and updated keeper details.

The V317 form can be downloaded for free from the DVLA website. Vehicles must be UK registered for V317 eligibility. Cannot assign plate making vehicle appear newer than first registration date. For transfer to someone else’s vehicle, both keepers sign V317. Two V317 applications needed to swap plates between two cars.

Include insurance certificate if taxing (Northern Ireland only). Replacement V5C needed if lost before V317. Retention renewable after 10 years. Payment for postal V317 by cheque, banker’s draft or postal order to DVLA Swansea.

Online process: first remove plate, get reference, then assign to new vehicle. The registered keeper must apply; nominee process for V750/V778 if not. V317 sections: registered keeper fills 2, 3, 9.1; grantee/nominee in 9.1/9.2.

Tax with V10 and MOT if taxing vehicle during transfer. Include V62 if new keeper supplement needed with V317. Provide make, model, phone contact on V317 checklist.