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Assigning your personalised registration number - the types of certificates

When assigning your personalised registration number to a vehicle, you may have one of two types of certificates which you can apply from. They are:

• the certificate of entitlement (V750)
• the retention document (V778)

The certificate of entitlement (V750) has the purchaser named at the top of the certificate and they hold the rights to the registration number.

The retention document (V778) has the grantee named at the top of the certificate and they hold the rights to the registration number.

Conditions for assigning a personalised registration number to a vehicle

When assigning a personalised registration number to a vehicle you cannot make the vehicle look newer than it actually is. For example, you cannot put a ‘Y’ registration number onto a ‘T’ registered vehicle, but you could choose any prefix range from ‘A’ to ‘T’.

The vehicle must also be licensed or due to be licensed and be registered in the UK.

Vehicles with Q number plates

You cannot put a personalised registration number onto a vehicle displaying a ‘Q’ number plate.

Applying to assign your personalised registration to a vehicle

When applying to assign your personalised registration number to a vehicle, you must send your completed application to your nearest Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) local office.

You will need:

• the certificate of entitlement (V750) or retention document (V778) signed by the person named on the top of the certificate
• the registration certificate (V5C) or the new keeper supplement with a completed V62 ‘application for a vehicle registration certificate V5C' form
• an MOT test certificate for cars and motorcycles over three years old, or over one year old for heavy goods vehicles

If the new keepers supplement has been stamped by a DVLA local office you’ll need to complete a V62 form and return it to DVLA Swansea before you can apply. Please allow three weeks for the registration certificate (V5C) to be returned to you following your application.

Adding a nominee to your personalised registration number

If you want to add a nominee at the same time as assigning the registration number onto a vehicle:

• complete section two of the V750 or V778
• enclose the £25 nominee fee

Taxing your vehicle when assigning your personalised registration number

If you need to tax the vehicle, you will need:

• a completed V10 ‘application for a tax disc’
• a certificate of insurance or valid cover note for the vehicle
• a cheque for the correct vehicle tax

• The cost of vehicle tax

DVLA local offices are open from 9. 00 am to 5. 00 pm Monday to Friday with customer parking available.

• Find your nearest DVLA local office

What happens next

Once your DVLA local office receives your application they may need to inspect the vehicle and will contact you to arrange an appointment. If they don’t need to inspect your vehicle, they’ll approve your application within two weeks.

On approving your application, the DVLA local office will send you:

• a new tax disc for your vehicle showing the new registration number
• an authorisation letter (V948) to get your number plate made up
• a replacement MOT test certificate for cars and motorcycles over three years old, and heavy goods vehicles over one year old

Please note the MOT test certificate will no longer be printed in green, this will be replaced by a black text on a white background.

Please allow at least two weeks, after sending your application, before contacting DVLA customer enquiries if you don’t receive these documents.

You will also be sent a new registration certificate (V5C) for your vehicle showing the new registration number. This should arrive within four weeks of the confirmation letter. It can take up to six weeks if a V62 application was used to support the application.

• DVLA - Vehicle Registration and Tax Enquiries

Your vehicle insurance certificate

As the registered keeper it is your responsibility to inform your insurance provider of your new registration number.

• Motor insurance