The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued an important message to millions of drivers in Britain. The alert specifically targets anyone with personalised license plates, which might need renewal after a certain period.
“Do you have a personalised registration that is not on a vehicle?” the government agency asked on X last week. “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.”
As per DVLA guidance, customised number plates are subject to a 10-year renewal cycle. Motorists should scrutinise their vehicle’s paperwork to determine these expiry dates and plan renewals accordingly.
The specific documents in question vary depending on whether the number plate is currently assigned to a vehicle. For unassigned plates, the ‘V750 certificate of entitlement’ is the key document – this is provided when someone takes ownership of a number plate.
Renewing these certificates can be done at no cost online via a DVLA personalised registration account, which is simple to create with just a few personal details. For number plates that were once on a vehicle but are now held on retention, the V778 certificate – the ‘retention’ proof document – is necessary for renewal. This process, however, must be completed through a postal application.
Finally, if a vehicle has been assigned the number plate, a driver can reapply no earlier than 28 days before its expiry date. If they do not renew it by then, they will forfeit the right to that registration number.
Current advice from the DVLA stresses: “You can apply to renew your V750 or V778 up to 28 days before it expires. Do not apply earlier than this or your application may be refused.
“You’ll get a reminder letter or email if you’re not using a private number and your right to use it is about to run out. It’s free to renew and the V750 or V778 will be valid for 10 years.”
Moreover, it’s essential to purchase a personalised number plate from a registered supplier. Number plates must adhere to the Charles Wright 2001 font, and any deviation could make them illegal, with fines of up to £1,000 for non-compliance.
RAC spokespeople caution: “Plates must also have the correct size and layout, which is different for cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles. The plates also need to be rectangular and correctly positioned on the vehicle. Custom shapes and arrangements can make a plate illegal.
“They must be reflective and have a white background for the front plate and a yellow background for the rear plate. Tinted plates or plates with backgrounds other than the specified colours are illegal.
“Legally manufactured number plates should display a British Standard. This ensures the plate meets durability, visibility, and reflectivity requirements – and has been approved by the DVLA.”
For more information, visit GOV.UK.