The Essential Guide to Transferring a Private Number Plate for 2026
Introduction: Why the Transfer Process Matters
Buying a personalised registration is exciting, but the paperwork can feel intimidating. Whether you’ve just purchased a cherished plate, or you’re moving your existing registration from an old car to a new one (perhaps ready for the upcoming ’26 registration series), you need to navigate the DVLA transfer process correctly.
Getting this wrong can delay your driving, risk losing your plate entirely, or lead to fines.
This guide breaks down the official DVLA transfer process for the upcoming 2026 registration year into simple, actionable steps, detailing the fee, required documents, and the fastest way to complete the change online.
1. Eligibility Check: Do Your Vehicle and Plate Qualify?
Before starting the process, both the vehicle and the number plate must meet certain criteria.
Vehicle Eligibility (Both Sender and Receiver)
The vehicles involved in the transfer (if transferring car to car) must:
- Be registered with the DVLA in the UK.
- Be able to move under their own power.
- Have been taxed or had a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) in place continuously for the past five years.
- Have a valid MOT or HGV test certificate (even if the vehicle is usually MOT exempt, such as a classic car).
- Be available for inspection, if the DVLA requires it (though this is rare for online applications).
Number Plate Eligibility (The “Age Rule”)
You cannot use a registration number that makes the vehicle appear younger than it actually is.
Example: You cannot put a ’19’ plate (registered in 2019) onto a car that was first registered in 2010.
However, you can put an older registration (like a Dateless plate or an ’05’ plate) onto a newer car (like a ’26’ plate).
2. Required Documents and Fees
You will need specific documents depending on where the registration is coming from and going to.
You will need specific documents depending on where the registration is coming from and going to.
| Transfer Type | What You Need | DVLA Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Plate to Vehicle (From retention/V750) | V5C (Logbook) for the receiving vehicle, V750 Certificate of Entitlement (Pink) or V778 Retention Document (Green). | Free (if V750/V778 is valid) |
| Vehicle to Vehicle | V5C (Logbook) for both the transferring car and the receiving car. | £80 |
| Vehicle to Retention | V5C (Logbook) for the vehicle the plate is on. | £80 |
3. The Step by Step Online Transfer Process (Recommended)
The fastest and simplest way to transfer a plate is using the DVLA’s online service. This often results in an instant transfer, meaning you can fit your new physical plates the same day.
Scenario A: Transferring a Plate from a Document (V750/V778) to a Vehicle
This applies if you have just bought a plate and have the pink (V750) or green (V778) certificate.
- Access the DVLA Service: Go to the official DVLA online service page titled “Assign a private number to a vehicle.”
- Input Vehicle Details: Enter the receiving car’s V5C document reference number and the registered keeper’s postcode.
- Input Plate Details: Enter the private registration number you wish to assign and the reference number from your V750 or V778 document.
- Confirmation: Submit the form. If your vehicle does not require inspection (usually instant), the transfer is complete. You will receive an email confirmation and a new V5C will be posted to you.
Scenario B: Transferring a Plate from Vehicle A to Vehicle B (Car to Car)
This is a two part process requiring you to remove the plate first.
Part 1: Take the Plate Off the Old Vehicle (Vehicle A)
- Access the DVLA Service: Go to the “Take a registration off a vehicle” page.
- Input Details: Enter the registration number you want to remove and the V5C reference number for Vehicle A.
- Pay the Fee: Pay the £80 transfer fee.
- Receive Reference: You will immediately be given a reference number. KEEP THIS REFERENCE. Vehicle A will be assigned its original replacement registration mark.
Part 2: Assign the Plate to the New Vehicle (Vehicle B)
- Access the DVLA Service: Go to the “Assign a private number to a vehicle” page.
- Input Vehicle Details: Enter the V5C document reference number for Vehicle B.
- Use the Reference: When prompted, enter the reference number you received in Part 1.
- Confirmation: Submit the form. The transfer should be instant.
4. The Final, Mandatory Step: Fit New Plates
You MUST fit your new physical number plates immediately after the transfer is confirmed by the DVLA.
Driving with the incorrect plates after the DVLA has confirmed the transfer—even if you haven’t received the new V5C—is illegal and can result in fines and legal issues.
- Order Plates: Ensure you order the correct physical plates from a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) like ourselves, using the newly assigned registration number.
- Required Documents for Supplier: To verify your identity and entitlement, a supplier will ask to see:
- Proof of Identity: Driving licence, passport, or national identity card.
- Proof of Entitlement: V5C (Logbook), V750, V778, or the online transfer confirmation.
- Fitting: Use strong adhesive pads or secure screws (ensuring the screw caps are the correct colour) to fit the plates securely.
Post Transfer Checklist
Once the plate is on the car, complete these essential updates:
- Insurance: Notify your insurance provider of the registration change immediately.
- Automatic Payments: Update your registration number with the providers for:
- ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone)
- Congestion Charge (London)
- Dart Charge (Dartford Crossing)
- Any Clean Air Zone (CAZ) payment systems.
Failing to update these systems is the most common reason for customers receiving unexpected penalty charge notices (PCNs).
