Private registrations
How to keep a private number plate
Summary: Taking a private registration off a vehicle costs £80. Apply online or by post before the vehicle is sold or scrapped.
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- How to assign a private number plateDVLA does not charge to assign a registration you already hold. You need the entitlement or retention document and the vehicle record.
- How to replace number platesA registered number plate supplier must see original identity and entitlement documents. Government does not set the retail price or production time.
- Private number plate fees and formsRemoving a number or transferring it between vehicles costs £80. Assigning a held number and renewing a certificate carry no DVLA fee.
Which fee and document apply?
| Item | Published answer |
|---|---|
| Fee | £80 |
| Form or certificate | V317 for a postal application |
| Timeline | Immediate online if no inspection is needed; the replacement V5C takes 4 to 6 weeks. |
| Original registration | DVLA usually restores the vehicle's original registration automatically and straight away. |
What are the steps?
- Apply online, or send form V317 with the V5C and the fee.
- Wait for DVLA to remove the private number. Do not sell or scrap the vehicle before this is confirmed.
- Fit plates showing the reassigned registration and tell the insurer before driving.
- Keep the V778 retention document, which is valid for 10 years.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to retain a private plate?
- The DVLA fee is £80.
- What happens to the original number?
- DVLA usually restores it automatically when the private number is removed.
Related pages
- How to assign a private number plateDVLA does not charge to assign a registration you already hold. You need the entitlement or retention document and the vehicle record.
- How to replace number platesA registered number plate supplier must see original identity and entitlement documents. Government does not set the retail price or production time.
- Private number plate fees and formsRemoving a number or transferring it between vehicles costs £80. Assigning a held number and renewing a certificate carry no DVLA fee.
Sources
Fees and timings were checked against the linked official pages on 10 September 2026.