Can number plates be reused?

Nowadays, number plates are made from lightweight aluminium which is easily bendable. Use that to your advantage and bend the plate enough that it can’t be used again. If you want to take it a step further, you can use utensils such as tin snips to cut the plate into small pieces.

Can I keep my number plate if I scrap my car?

Yes, you can keep your private plate if you scrap your car. The DVLA has said that “You can take a personalised number off of a vehicle if you want to either: keep the number to use later or assign it to another vehicle”, but you must make sure that you have the vehicles logbook (V5) and apply for it to be done.

How do I reclaim my number plate?

Reclaiming your numbers You need to contact the DVLA and your insurer to tell them you want to keep the plate. Your insurer then has to write a letter of non-interest and send it to the DVLA. You then have to pay a retention fee to keep the plate if you don’t have another vehicle to transfer it to.

Do you have to tell your insurance if you change your number plate?

So when it comes to getting a new set of number plates, do you need to inform your insurer? When you are changing the registration on your vehicle – putting your private plate onto the car – you’ll need to let your insurer know, so they are insuring the correct car on the road, and have a record of the vehicle.

How long can you keep a number plate on retention?

10 years
This means that the number plate is listed by the DVLA as being on hold, to be assigned to a vehicle at a later date, if required. A number plate can remain on retention for up to 10 years unless you decide to remove it from the retention register.

Can I transfer a number plate from a Sorn vehicle?

The vehicle must have been taxed (or had a SORN declaration) continually for five years, and if it has been SORNed for more than five years, then it will need to be taxed. If you’re thinking of transferring a number plate with a Q or QNI prefix, then stop, because these can’t be transferred.

Can you sell your number plate back to DVLA?

No, It’s not possible to sell your private number plate back to the DVLA. The DVLA sells cherished number plates, but only new ones. They won’t buy back registrations that have already been issued to a vehicle. You can sell personalised number plates privately by finding a customer yourself or using a dealer.

Is there a grace period for changing number plates?

You should put your new number plates on the car as quickly as possible once you have received a letter from the DVLA that the transfer of the registration number is complete. You will have a few days’ grace to have the number plates made up. But don’t leave it too long.

Do I need to change my GB number plate?

The new rules state that any driver with a GB sticker on their car now needs to replace it with a new UK one if they are taking their vehicle abroad. “Drivers also need to remember that number plates featuring the blue band and letters ‘GB’ next to the European golden stars are also no longer valid,” Mr Dennis warned.

How long does a number plate transfer take?

The time taken to transfer your new private number plate to your car can vary, depending on the circumstances. On average it takes around 3-5 weeks.