Quick guide to private number plates

For some classic car owners, a personalised number plate represents the perfect finishing touch. Here's an introduction into the world of private number plates – what they are, how to get one, and how much you can expect to pay.

What are private number plates?

Private number plates are vehicle registration numbers with particular number/letter sequences that can be bought and displayed on any DVLA-registered vehicles. Many drivers like to use them to display either their name or initials, or other key information such as a hobby, occupation or even the model of the vehicle.

Where can you buy them?

You can purchase a private (or 'personalised') registration for your car's number plates, either direct from the DVLA (here is the link on the Government's own website) or from a private dealer.

If you do go down the DVLA route, you then have a couple of options: you can buy a private plate online as above, or from one of the DVLA's regular live auctions. The Government website has an online search tool where you can check which numbers are available, and how much they cost.

You can also buy new numbers from the DVLA Personalised Registrations website.

If you do acquire a private number plate and assign it to your car, you'll need to inform your classic car insurance provider of the change. We'll discuss who else you need to tell a little further down in this article.

Buying at DVLA auctions

The DVLA holds number plate auctions across the country, roughly five times each year. You can see a list of the numbers coming up for auction and work out which ones you'd like to bid for.

When it comes to placing the bid itself, you have options: you can turn up and bid in person, or you can make your bid online or over the phone.

Once you’ve paid for the private personalised number plate of your choice, you'll be given a V750 'certificate of entitlement'. This proves that you have the right to 'assign' the number to a vehicle of your choice. Then, you can put the plates on that vehicle – and away you go!

Buying from a private dealer

When it comes to private dealers, there are various websites offering a variety of personalised plates.

Many of these sites will have smart search tools to help you find the perfect plate for you. Simply type in what you are looking for, be it a name, initials, keyword, a special number sequence, and the site will search for plates that match your preferences.

If you own the rights to a private registration number, but that number is not currently in use, you can apply to assign it to your car via the same link above.

You should be able to get the dealer to transfer the new number to your vehicle. However, if you want to keep or assign the number yourself, ask the dealer if you can have the V750 or V778 documentation.

Are there any private numbers that aren't allowed?

Yes, there are a very few number combinations that aren't permissible. For example, you cannot assign a number starting with ‘Q’ or 'NIQ' plates. These designations are reserved for vehicles whose age or identity is in doubt.

Looking at that the other way around, you also cannot put a private number on a ‘Q’ registered vehicle as it needs to retain that designation.

Lastly, you cannot use a private number that will make the vehicle look newer than it actually is. So, for example, you wouldn't be allowed to put a plate featuring the numbers '09' on a vehicle from 2002.

Which cars are eligible for personalised plates?

To carry private number plates, your vehicle must be registered with the DVLA – and it must be able to move under its own power. Long-term garaged or laid-up cars that are currently unable to start, or are undergoing lengthy restoration, won't be eligible.

You must also make the vehicle available for inspection, should the DVLA ever need to do this.

The car also needs to have been taxed, or registered as SORN, for the past five years without a break. There's more about designating a classic car as SORN elsewhere on our blog.

Lastly, MOT: Your vehicle must also be of a type that needs an MOT or HGV test certificate. Now, cars built or first registered over 40 years ago (which includes a large proportion of the cars for which we provide classic car cover here at Lancaster) are MOT exempt (indeed, we've discussed the topic here). In this case, however, even if your car is usually MOT-exempt, you will need a current MOT certificate.

Assigning your new private number to your car

Once you've got hold of the private number you've always wanted, you need to formally assign it to your vehicle.

If the car is registered to you, you can apply to assign the number plate either online or by post: both methods are free of charge, and for both you will need your vehicle’s log book (V5C).

You can do it online via this page of the Government website. As long as your vehicle isn't deemed to need an inspection, the number will be given to it immediately. For that reason, as soon as you've applied you should get ready to put new number plates on the vehicle.

By post, you will need to send the DVLA the completed V750 or V778 (where you'll also find the address to send it to), plus the V5C or green ‘new keeper’ slip, and a completed V62 form – essentially an application for a new V5C.

In the case of a used vehicle that you have recently purchased, you just need to wait for DVLA to send you a new V5C in your name (more info on that process on the Government website). Once you receive this, you can then apply, as above, either online or by post.

If you already have a private number on a vehicle you want to sell, make sure that you apply to take it off first. You could lose the right to use the number if you do not.

Assigning a private number: what next?

After you've taken the steps above to assign a private number, you will be sent a new vehicle log book. This can take between four and six weeks to arrive. You'll also get your original MOT certificate back, if you had sent it off in order to tax the vehicle.

Next, and very importantly, you must put new number plates on the vehicle before you drive it again.

By the way, don't throw away the original registration number and plates – these will simply be reassigned to the car whenever you remove the private number.

Who needs to know about your new registration number?

There are a number of organisations who will need to be informed about your new licence number.

First and foremost, you must inform your classics insurance provider about the change.

Secondly, you'll need to update your details on any relevant automatic payment accounts you may have, such as the London Congestion Charge and / or the Ultra Low Emission Zone Charge (ULEZ), which we've discussed in a little more detail elsewhere on our blog. Clean Air Zones also apply here. Driving into any of these charging zones without having updated your details could land you with a fine.

Transferring a private number from one vehicle to another

This is relatively straightforward. You just need to un-assign the number from the first vehicle – there are more instructions on how to do this on this Government web page – and reassign it to the new vehicle. Instructions for that step are here.

If you prefer to do this by post, you can – you just need form V317. You can find a printable copy of this form on this Government link. This includes instructions on where to send the form, and what else to enclose.

What if you don't want to use the private number plate anymore?

In this case, you have various options. You can apply to take the number off your vehicle – instructions for that here.

You have the option of putting the number 'on retention', which means that you can revert to using it again at a later date. You will be sent a retention document, V778, which is proof that you are still entitled to use the number.

Alternatively, you do have the option of selling your private number if you no longer wish to use it. You can either use a private number dealer, who will find a buyer, arrange the payment and transfer the number to the buyer’s vehicle for you – or sell the number on yourself.

Note: if you sell your private number online, make sure you do not share any photographs or scans of your V750 or V778 document. These could be used fraudulently by a third party, to assign the private number to another vehicle altogether.

The UK's most expensive private number plates

Let's end on a fun note, by looking at some of Britain's most expensive and exclusive personalised registration plates. As you can imagine, private plates are a rich source of income for the DVLA.

Back in 2019, the agency was celebrating 30 years of selling personalised number plates, and it released some interesting data that year.

From 1989 to 2019, the DVLA sold almost 6 million private number plates, generating around £2 billion in revenue for HM Treasury. As well as its several annual auctions across the UK, the agency has almost 60 million registrations for sale on its website.

Its first private plate auction, back in 1989, was at Christie's, the famous London auction house, and featured 74 lots offered for sale. The very first number plate to go under the hammer was 99 MG, which sold for an impressive £8,000.

The highest price paid that day was for 1 A, which fetched £160,000 (which would equate to around £470,000 once inflation has been taken into account!).

Sales of these plates have risen greatly over time. For example, during the 1989/90 financial year, DVLA sold 658 registrations – but by the following year that had climbed steeply to 26,161. During 2018/19, almost 404,000 of these bespoke registrations were sold.

Prices paid seem to vary depending on where you go for your number plates: the average price for a registration sold at a timed auction in 2019 was £877, compared to £3,225 for those sold at live auctions (where the more valuable ones are sold). Those plates sold direct from the DVLA website, meanwhile, bring in an average of £342.

A number plate fit for kings

Motivations for buying these plates vary, but there's one overwhelming factor in any owner’s decision. Another DVLA survey found that 69% of motorists would buy a private registration because of a personal connection – a name or initial, for instance – while 6% would consider it for their business and a further 17% saw these plates as an investment.

And the most expensive registration number ever bought? Well, in outright terms, that would be the private plate 25 O, which sold in November 2014 for £400,000 (rising to over £500,000 once you've taken into account taxes and sales fees).

It's believed that this plate currently graces a classic Ferrari 250 GT SWB, whose former owners include the guitarist and Ferrari fan Eric Clapton. That means that that number plate won't even be the most expensive thing about this vehicle – no, the car itself will probably be valued well into the millions. We hope it's protected with some good car insurance.

Our own favourite private plate? Well, we quite like K1 NGS, which fetched £185,000 at a DVLA auction in December 1993. Talk about giving yourself airs and graces! Keep your classic car safe from thieves using our helpful advice guide.

If you cherish your classic… the answer is classic car insurance

A private number plate can be a really fun way to show off your classic to the world, and/or to reveal a little about yourself – a hobby or occupation, for example.

Of course, if you truly love and treasure your classic, there's one thing we'd put higher up the list than any personalised number plate (even K1 NGS!): and that's some specialist classic motor insurance.

Contact us today for a quote.