Driving when private reg number being transferred

ferox666

Hi all

Have bought a car. Traded in old one with dealer, they have sent form to DVLA requesting transfer of our private registration number from old car to the new car. is there an effective date for the transfer - ie are we able to collect and drive the new car with its old registration and just switch plates when the letter confirming this comes back from dvla? My concern is the overlap period for few days driving with the old invalid registration (since the transfer would have been "done") while the dvla reply confirmation comes through the post. Don't want to look stupid so thought I'd ask here...thanks.

DUTR

When you get the paperwork with the permission to apply the plate to the vehicle, then you can do so. If you put the plates on before time, then that is illegal, also, your insurance will have to be updated to the correct plate. If it's only a few days, then best wait.

ferox666

Thanks but I meant drive with the OLD number and not put the new ones on until the paperwork arrives. I'm worried though that for those few days the "old" plates on would no longer valid as DVLA would have assigned the new number to it.

I've been told it can take 2-3 weeks for them to confirm the transfer and this seems very long to be unable to drive.

Iceweasel

You continue to drive on the old plate until the paperwork arrives - then you fit the new plate.

There is no time that you are unable to use the vehicle.

Tigerprint

As long as you have taxed the 'new' car prior to the transfer forms being sent, then yes, it's ok to drive until you receive the paperwork from DVLA to change the plate

DUTR

ferox666 wrote: »

Thanks but I meant drive with the OLD number and not put the new ones on until the paperwork arrives. I'm worried though that for those few days the "old" plates on would no longer valid as DVLA would have assigned the new number to it.

I've been told it can take 2-3 weeks for them to confirm the transfer and this seems very long to be unable to drive.

That is the way the process is designed to work, when you get the paperwork, you then have the legal permission to put the cherished plate on the driven car and the current reg becomes invalid to that vehicle. Just remember to have your insurance in check as some charge an admin fee for change of reg on the same vehicle.