Number plate retention
Number plate retention
Got a great number plate but don’t have a car? No problem- James Newell explains the retention scheme.
What is retention?
The DVLA introduced the retention scheme to allow number plates to be transferred and held when they are not assigned to a vehicle.
It is possible to remove a number plate from a vehicle and keep it on retention until you need to assign it.
The entitlement period
When holding a number plate on retention- the “entitlement” period (the period in which you may transfer the plate to a car) last just 12 months- if you have not assigned the number plate to a car then you must pay to extend your entitlement.
How to retain a number plate
To retain a number plate you need to complete form V778/1 – available from your nearest DVLA local office or downloadable from the DVLA website.
So long as the vehicle which holds the number plate is eligible to take part in the “cherished transfer scheme” i.e. it has a valid MOT, is road worthy and the number plate is not “NON TRANSFERRABLE”
Retention documents
V778/1 – The form to retain a number plate
V778 - The actual retention certificate
V750 - The certificate of entitlement (for number plates that have never been assigned to a vehicle)
Nominee and Grantee
The Grantee is the actual owner of the number plate- although number plates technically are never owned the Grantee is more accurately described as the owner of the entitlement to transfer and display a certain registration number.
The nominee is a nominated party to which the number plate can be assigned. If the Grantee wishes to transfer the number plate to a vehicle not registered in his or her name then the nominee is used as another option.
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Number plate retention
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