Parting with your car, not your plate: the complete guide

Let’s face it, private reg plates are more than just a series of letters and numbers. It’s a unique signature, a reflection of your personality, perhaps even a cheeky nod to an inside joke. It’s personal. So, it goes without saying that when the time comes to sell your vehicle, you’ll want to keep that private number plate. But how?

At BigWantsYourCar.com, we know everything there is to know about selling cars. So, to make life a little easier for you, we’ve pulled together all the information you need on how to keep your private reg plate when you sell your car. Let’s get into it.

• How do I keep private number plates?
• Can I keep private plates without a car?
• How do I remove private plates?
• Who do I inform after changing your reg plates?
• Can I put private plates on a lease car?
• Can I put private plates on a financed car?
• CanI sell a car with personalised plates?

View our post – Should I repair my car before selling?

How do you keep private number plates?

When you sell your car, it is possible to keep those cherished registration plates. To do so, you will need to follow a few simple steps.

Firstly, you have to make sure the car is fully up to date with the DVLA. This includes:

• Being fully registered with a V5C
• Having a SORN or up-to-date road tax payments
• Being available for inspections if needed
• Being eligible for an MOT

Thereafter, you can apply for a plate transfer online or by post, using a V317 form. With this form, the plates can be moved directly onto another vehicle. Just make sure you don’t sell or scrap your car before having this documentation, as you can lose your right to claim the private reg plate.

Once all that is in place, you can go ahead and find a buyer! All you’ll have to do is pop the original plates back on the car when you take yours off.

Can you keep private plates without a car?

Thinking of holding onto those snazzy private plates without attaching them to a new ride right away? You’re in luck! The magic solution: transferring them to a retention document, using the same V317 form.

Here’s your roadmap:

• Hop online or put pen to paper: Whether you’re tech-savvy or prefer the good old post, kickstart the journey by applying for a plate transfer online or by post.
• Voila, the V778 lands: Once you get the green light, you’ll receive a V778 – your golden ticket that shows you own the plates independently of a vehicle.
• All the time in the world: With the retention document, your plates aren’t tied to the ticking clock. They’re yours to assign to any vehicle, any time you fancy in the future.

How do you remove private plates?

Don’t be daunted by the prospect of removing your reg plates – the process can be quick and easy if you know what you’re dealing with. Number plates can be attached to vehicles in a few different ways, and this will determine how you remove them.

• Screws: These can be covered in plastic caps, which are easy to pop off. After that all you need is a screwdriver and a steady hand – make sure to keep a hold of the plate to prevent any damage to it or the threads of the screw.
• Tape / sticky pads: If the tape or sticky pads are strong and you can’t pull the plate off by hand, grab some string, fishing line or tooth floss. Slide this behind the plate and, using a sawing motion, cut through the glue. After this, you should be able to easily pull the plate away.
• Pop rivets: These can be a bit trickier as they attach the plate using specialised tools. The most important thing is to make sure the plates are removed without damage, so it could be a good idea to ask a professional for help.

Who do you inform after changing your reg plates?

If you’ve transferred your private plates onto a new vehicle in preparation for selling your car, you’ll need to let a few people know.

The first step is to contact your insurance company and inform them of the new registration number. This keeps your policy up to date and means there’ll be no delays in processing any claims in the future.

Next, you need to update your vehicle logbook or registration document with the new details. This can be done by contacting the DVLA and providing them with the updated information. They will guide you through the process and make the necessary changes to your records.

It is also a good idea to update your accounts for things such as ULEZ payments and congestion charges, just to avoid any confusion. Do all of this and it’ll be smooth sailing every time tire hits tarmac

Can you put private plates on a lease car?

When diving into the world of lease cars and private plates, patience truly is a virtue. Here’s the smoothest route to take:

• Delivery Before Details: Hold your horses and wait for your leased car to be delivered. Once it’s with you, coordinate with the lease company so they can be listed as the nominee on the V750 certificate of entitlement. Just a heads up: the lease company might have an admin fee for this service.
• Old Plates? Keep ‘Em Close: Don’t bid farewell to the original number plates – they’ll need to be reattached to the car when the lease is up and you remove your private plates.
• Give yourself a head start: When the time comes to remove your private plates, kick off the process a good two months before your contract’s up. This buffer ensures the V5C logbook – showcasing the vehicle’s refreshed number plate – reaches you without any last-minute jitters.

Can you put private plates on a financed car?

Since you are the registered keeper of a car on PCP, you can apply directly to the DVLA to attach your private plates. When the finance term comes to an end, if you don’t plan on keeping the car, start the process of transferring your plates a couple of months in advance. Like with a lease car, this just gives you some breathing space to get everything sorted in time.

Can you sell a car with personalised plates?

Yes, you can sell a car with personalised plates, but there are certain steps you need to follow to transfer the number plates to the new owner. Here’s a guide on how to do it:

1. Check the documentation: Before selling your car, ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork, including the retention certificate or V317 form from the DVLA, which proves your ownership of the personalised plates.
2. Inform the buyer: Let the potential buyer know that your car is being sold with personalised plates. This is important as some buyers may not be interested in keeping the private registration.
3. Transfer the plates: If the buyer is interested in keeping the personalised plates, you need to transfer the plates to their name. To do this, you will need to complete the necessary paperwork, including V317 form, which you can obtain from the DVLA. This form will transfer the rights of the personalised plates to the new owner.
4. Notify the relevant authorities: Once the paperwork is completed, inform the DVLA and your local vehicle registration office about the transfer of the personalised plates. Provide them with the updated details of the new owner and the vehicle.
5. Update the vehicle logbook: The new owner will need to update the logbook or V5C document to reflect their ownership of the vehicle and the personalised plates. This can be done online or by mail.

Sell your car the big way

Now that you’ve sorted out your private reg plates, you’ll be looking for a buyer you can trust. Well, your search can end with BigWantsYourCar.com.

In three simple steps we’ll give you a car value that’s guaranteed for 7 days. There’s no smoke and mirrors either – you can trust us to offer fair quotes that are based on current market values. All we need is a few photos and the vehicle’s current reg number.

We’ll even come and collect the car for you, and send the money directly to your bank account so there’s no waiting around. If instant cash and fair rates sound good to you, then fire over your details. Alternatively, our friendly team is only a call away if you have any questions or concerns – just give us a bell to sell your car.