Buying a Registration (form V750)
DVLA Registrations are sold by the Government Dept for Transport agency, the DVLA. You only ever buy the right to use them on your vehicle. Your right to the registration is proved by a V750 for brand new registrations as described on this page, or a V778 form for previously owned cherished registrations.
When you purchase a number plate – either an original, unused, from an auction, or one of our previously unissued government stock numbers what do you get?
Like passports and driving licences, vehicle registrations are technically owned by the UK Government. You are actually buying the right to use this plate on a vehicle registered in the United Kingdom. This can be taxed or SORN. For an unissued number plate from DVLA stock, this right is confirmed by issuing a DVLA form ‘V750” also known as a Certificate of Entitlement.
Previously issued registrations (e.g. those from private sales and dateless plates) have the rights to use them assigned by the V778 form (also known as a Retention Document)
A V750 will show:
- The registration number
- The purchaser/suppliers name and address and nominee*
- The date when the right to assign the registration number will end (usually 10 years from the date purchased)
*A “nominee” is another person entitled to use the DVLA registration, e.g. if it is intended as a gift.
You can extend the right to assign the DVLA number plate by a further 10 years from whatever date it expires. This must be done prior to expiry.
Once the registration has been properly assigned to a vehicle it will remain with that vehicle (even if sold) for the vehicles life or until the registered owner applies successfully to transfer or retain the plate, see below. You can now take a registration off a vehicle (retain) online using the gov.uk website.
But don’t worry if this sounds complicated, we can guide you through the process, or complete it on your behalf.
