Personalised numberplates

[Tim M]

I've heard people talk about having numers on "retention". Does this allow you to reserve the number before actually buying it, or is it simply a type of storage for your number when it's not on a vehicle once you've coughed up £250 to buy it?

[Hightower]

If you either want to keep your reg from an existing car or buy a new one but don't want to, or haven't a car to put it on, you can keep the rights to that number for upto a year by what's commonly called retention.

You after a reg for you next car then?

[Biggles]

You need to own the number.

Its held by DVLA if you sell your car and want to retain it for later use.Costs about £80 and means you can get the number back at a later date.

Not too sure if you can buy a number without a car and put it by as such.

Ring DVLA.

Also if your going to buy a number try and use DVLA they are cheaper. I went private and paid over the odds.

Regards Nick R.

[Tim M]

That clears it up.

I have a car but don't want to spend £250. I was hoping it was possible to register something without having to pay......nothing is ever that simple!


And I take it you can't put a newer reg on an older car. Ie. A "B" reg plate on an "A" reg car.....

[Nick Thompson]

Originally Posted by Tim M

And I take it you can't put a newer reg on an older car. Ie. A "B" reg plate on an "A" reg car.....

Correct.

[Tim M]

Looks like I'd have to buy a newer car to get the one I fancied then

[Hightower]

If you have a number that you want to transfer it costs about £110 I think. And you're right about the not putting a newer plate on an older car.....Look Here..... http://www.dvla-som.co.uk/home/

[Tim M]

Thanks for the info

(It's £80 to transfere according to the website)

[Hugh Jardon]

its 80 quid to transer between cars but, if you buy plates from the dvla the transfer for the first car is included in the price, you then pay when you move it on from that car

also an important thing to note is that the car will always be restored to the original plates so dont throw them away!! as you will have to pay for new ones and go thru all the fuss of getting em made!!!

[TJ101]

Currently

£ 80 to transfer to car & another £ 25, if you put the number on retention , The £25 cover 12 months, if not assigned to vehicle within the 12 months, DVLA send you a note, asking for another £ 25, for a extra 12 months and so it goes on