Number plate retention
V778 and V750 retention documents allow you to hold a number plate on “certificate” for 12 months at a time- James Newell explains how the retention scheme works.
What is retention?
Retention and the retention scheme are a way of holding a number plate and keeping your entitlement to a number plate whilst it is not on a vehicle.
Retention is useful if you are between ownership of a car and cannot transfer the number plate directly using the V317.
It’s also useful if you have more number plates than cars like the author of this article- but that’s another story..
How does it work?
Retention is VERY straightforward. In essence you can retain a number plate (transfer it from a vehicle to the retention certificate or assign it to a vehicle (transfer a number plate from retention document to your vehicle)
In addition to this the retention system allows you to add or change a nominee which means that you may transfer the number plate to a vehicle that is registered in the name of the nominee as well as yourself.
Retention or the “entitlement period” lasts 12 months at a time and must be renewed. If you fail to renew your entitlement to a number plate then you will lose your rights to it and may never recover the registration number or any of your costs.
Retaining a number plate is the process of transferring your number plate from a car to a retention certificate.
DVLA form V778/1 allows you to retain a number plate from your vehicle so long as it is transferable and your car meets the guidelines for cherished transfer.
As the owner of the vehicle, when you have successfully retained the number plate – you will become the “grantee”.
This basically means you have the entitlement / ownership and can transfer the number plate at a later date.
When your number plate is retained by the DVLA- they will send you a V778 retention document.
They will also supply you with a replacement registration number for the “donor” vehicle
You will need to display the new tax disc they supply and have a set of number plates made up which can be completed with the V948 document.
Related articles
Related links
Transferring numberplates
How to transfer a number plate?
DVLA fees
