DVLA Private Reg: How to Buy, Transfer & Retain a Private Registration (2026)

A DVLA private reg — short for private registration — is a personalised number that you choose and own, separate from the standard sequential registration your vehicle would otherwise carry. The DVLA manages the entire system: buying, transferring, and retaining private regs all go through official DVLA channels. This guide covers every step.

Buying a Private Reg from DVLA

The DVLA sells select registrations directly at fixed prices through its online search tool. To buy:

1. Search for your desired combination at gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers
2. Select a registration and proceed to purchase — prices from £250
3. Choose to assign immediately to a vehicle or hold on a V750 Certificate of Entitlement
4. Pay the purchase price and (if assigning) the £80 assignment fee

For rarer and premium registrations, the DVLA also runs regular auctions with some lots starting from approximately £130.

Transferring a Private Reg Between Vehicles

If you are moving a private reg from one vehicle to another (e.g. changing cars), the process is:

1. Apply to transfer at gov.uk/transfer-number-plate
2. Provide the V5Cs for both the donor and receiving vehicles
3. Pay the £80 transfer fee
4. Receive updated V5Cs for both vehicles
5. Order new physical plates for the receiving vehicle

Retaining a Private Reg When Selling a Vehicle

Before you sell a car carrying your private reg, you must retain it. See our full DVLA plate retention guide for step-by-step instructions. In brief: apply via GOV.UK, pay £80, receive a V778 Retention Document valid for 10 years.

Selling a Private Reg

Private registrations can be sold privately or through dealers. To transfer entitlement to a buyer:

• If the reg is on retention (V778): assign the V778 to the buyer’s name via DVLA, or transfer it as part of a vehicle sale
• If the reg is on a vehicle: retain it first (V778), then sell the entitlement to the buyer
• The buyer then assigns it to their vehicle using the V778 and pays the £80 assignment fee

Getting Physical Plates Made

After any DVLA transaction, once your updated V5C confirms the new registration on your vehicle, order your physical plates from a DVLA-registered supplier. At Car Plates Pro:

• Standard plates from £6.99
• 3D Gel from £9.99
• 4D Gel from £13.99 — the premium choice for a premium registration

Order before 2PM for same-day dispatch — next working day delivery across the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a DVLA private reg transfer take?

Online transfers via GOV.UK are processed by DVLA within 2–4 weeks. The updated V5C arrives by post. The transfer is confirmed in the DVLA database before the V5C arrives — you can check status via the vehicle enquiry service.

Can I transfer a private reg to a vehicle I don’t own yet?

No — you need to own (be registered keeper of) the receiving vehicle to assign a private registration to it. Alternatively, hold the registration on a V778 until you have the new vehicle.

What happens if I don’t renew my V778 retention?

If a V778 Retention Document expires without renewal or assignment, DVLA may reclaim the registration. Always renew before expiry — DVLA typically sends a reminder but it is your responsibility to act.

Do I pay VAT on DVLA private reg transactions?

The £80 DVLA assignment and transfer fees are government fees and are VAT-free. VAT applies to the purchase price when buying through dealers or DVLA Select Registrations.

Related Reading

• How to Get a DVLA Private Plate
• DVLA Number Plate Retention: V778 Guide
• Personalised Number Plates UK: Complete Guide
• Cherished Number Plates: The Most Valuable Regs