The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a stark warning to motorists that they could permanently lose their number plates if they fail to meet a vital 10-year deadline.
Many drivers opt to purchase their own private or bespoke registration from the DVLA or via a private dealer. But those who have may not be aware of a looming renewal deadline, with failure to comply resulting in the permanent forfeiture of the number.
The DVLA has made it clear that all private numbers must be renewed every decade, or the owner forfeits the right to use it.
Furthermore, applications submitted beyond the expiry date will be rejected by the DVLA. It’s essential to grasp that the renewal application must be submitted even if the registration number isn’t currently in use.
Posting on X, the DVLA said: “Do you have a personalised registration that is not on a vehicle? If it’s been 10 years since the latest certificate or retention document for your registration was issued, you may need to renew it this year.
“It’s free to renew.”
How to renew a private number plate
To renew a private number, an application must be dispatched to the DVLA, which can be completed at no cost.
This procedure involves renewing your V750 certificate or V778 retention document, confirming you are the holder of the private number. Typically, the DVLA will send out a letter or email to remind you of your private number and its expiration date.
However, it’s easy to overlook this reminder, so it’s always wise to keep an eye on your deadline. This is especially crucial as applications can take up to 28 days and must be submitted on or before the expiry date, not afterwards.
Applications can be made either online through the DVLA personalised registration account used to purchase the number, or by filling out the V750 or V778 form and posting it to the address provided on the form.
What if I no longer want the private number plate?
If you decide not to use the private number or simply don’t want it any more, you have the option to sell or gift it to someone else. However, bear in mind that the number must be assigned to the buyer’s vehicle before it can be used.
The DVLA advises that you can sell a private number independently or through a dealer. Regardless, drivers are warned against sharing a photo or scan of the V750 or V778 document as it could be used by someone other than the buyer to assign the private number to a different vehicle.
You can change the number registration for another person’s vehicle online, as long as you have the vehicle’s logbook (V5C) and your V778 or V750 form at hand.
