how easy is it to buy a private number plate ?

sillysi

I no some people are against private plates and its not exactly money saving but ive always said i would treat myself one day.
I have found the reg on the DVLA website and from what i understand is that you pay them for a piece of paper (v750) and then its upto you to sort out . But what do you then ? has anyone done this and give an idea of what to do next .From what i understand is that you can go to your local DVLA centre and they will sort it out but my nearest one would mean nearly a 50mile round trip .Are there any other fees to pay ?
I could use one of the many number plate agents/resellers but they work out to be about £50-£60 more expensive but take out the hassle .Hopefully someone will tell me its not as daunting as it sounds and save me going down this route .
Thanks for reading and look forward to a reply .

rxbren

As far as i know you simply buy the plate once you get it you transfer the plate to your car through the dvla then you have to wait till the change of plate confirmation comes back and then get the plate made and stick on car

If you dont know already tou can only put a private plate that is older than the registration date of the car for example if your car is 2008 you cant have a 09/59 or newer plate

Buzby

If you buy a reg from the DVLA, the price will be fully inclusive of the transfer fee (£80). All you need is to post in your existing V5 which is returned with a new one showing the new allocated mark. You also have to return the old Tax disc which is also replaced. You won't need to take any vehicle to the DVLA office unless it is a donor vehicle - as it is the recipient vehicle, this is not an issue for you.

If you live in Engand & Wales, you will need to await the official certificate bearing the new reg before a firm will create the new plates (this does not apply in Scotland).

Other than that, it's a simple process

sillysi

buzby - do they send you a new tax disc with replacment v5 ,and then you send them your old tax disc after receiving the new one ?
What happens with your mot certificate as it has the old details still on it ?
thanks.

Happytohelp

After you have received the V750 and you are ready to transfer your registration to your car, you are correct in saying you should apply to your nearest DVLA Local Office. If it not convenient to go in person (50 mile round trip) you can submit your application by post. I always suggest using special or recorded delivery as getting replacement vehicle documents can be costly and is time consuming.

You should send:

The completed V750
The V5C (logbook) for your car
MOT certificate (if your car is 3 years old)

DO NOT SEND YOUR TAX DISC. The offence is 'failure to display' not failure to buy.

DVLA will issue a replacement disc showing your new registration with the same expiry date as your current disc. After you have displayed your new tax disc you can throw your old one away.

You will also receive a reprinted MOT certificate showing your new registration. You should also receive a form called a V948 which allows you to get new number plates made. You should read up on the documents you need when buying a new set of number plates. The V5C (logbook) is reprinted at Swansea and takes about 7 - 10 days to come through.

As soon as you have the new tax disc and have bought your new plates you can fix them to your car. Remember to notify your motor insurer and any breakdown organisations.

The main benefit of going in person to the DVLA Local Office is that it is a same-day process. Obviously if you apply by post you will have to wait until DVLA return the paperwork back to you.

If you have any other questions please post them on this thread or send me a private message.

sillysi

thanks Happytohelp,great post .ive ordered the registration off the dvla this morning and hopefully it will all go smoothly.

poppasmurf_bewdley

From memory, when my son bought his registration number last year from the DVLA, once the documents were received in the post he took them to the DVLA office in Worcester and they transferred everything there and then. All he had to do then was buy the numberplates and put them on the car.

missile

Hope you enjoy your new number. It is even more hassle if you sell the car and want to transfer the number to another.