Private registrations
How to replace number plates
Summary: A registered number plate supplier must see original identity and entitlement documents. Government does not set the retail price or production time.
Not published
Not published
Checked on .
- How to keep a private number plateTaking a private registration off a vehicle costs £80. Apply online or by post before the vehicle is sold or scrapped.
- 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.
- 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 | Not published because suppliers set their own retail prices |
| Form or certificate | No DVLA application form is published for having physical plates made |
| Timeline | Not published because production time depends on the registered supplier |
| Original registration | Replacing the physical plates does not change the registration assigned to the vehicle. |
What are the steps?
Common questions
- How much do replacement number plates cost?
- Government does not publish a retail price. The registered supplier sets the charge.
- Which documents does the supplier need?
- Take original proof of identity and address plus a document showing entitlement to the registration.
Related pages
- How to keep a private number plateTaking a private registration off a vehicle costs £80. Apply online or by post before the vehicle is sold or scrapped.
- 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.
- 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.