A Certificate of Entitlement — issued when you buy an unassigned plate (e.g. from a DVLA auction or a private sale where the plate isn't currently on a car). It proves you own the right to assign that registration to a vehicle.

A Retention Certificate — issued when you take a plate off a vehicle and hold it without immediately assigning it to another car. It's valid for 10 years and renewable.

How long does an assignment take?

Online via the DVLA — often instant, occasionally 1–2 working days. Postal applications can take 2–4 weeks.

Can I transfer a plate to any vehicle?

The plate must not make the vehicle appear newer than it actually is. The vehicle must also be taxed and MOT'd (or have a valid SORN) and available for inspection if requested.

Transfer & retention

Transferring and retaining a UK private number plate

Whether you're buying, selling or just moving a plate between cars, the rules around V750, V778 and DVLA assignments trip up thousands of owners every year. Here's the plain-English version.

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V750 vs V778 — the key difference

V750 (Certificate of Entitlement) — issued when a plate has never been on a vehicle, or is being sold before assignment. Proves you own the right to assign it.
V778 (Retention Certificate) — issued when a plate is taken off a vehicle and put “on retention”. Valid for 10 years and renewable free of charge.

Assigning a plate to your car

Go to the DVLA's Personalised Registrations service.
Enter your V750 or V778 details and the vehicle's V5C.
Confirm the transfer. Online assignments usually complete immediately.
Order physical acrylic plates showing your new registration.
Inform your insurer within a few days.

Putting a plate on retention

If you're selling a car but keeping the plate, you must transfer it to a retention certificate before the sale. This costs £80 (the standard DVLA assignment fee) and issues you a V778. The old registration is returned to the vehicle automatically.

Selling a plate — what changes hands

When you sell a plate you transfer the V750 or V778 to the buyer. In practice this means updating the certificate with the buyer's details via the DVLA. Never hand over the physical certificate before you've received cleared funds.

Common rejections and how to avoid them

The vehicle must be currently taxed, MOT'd or have a valid SORN.
The plate must not make the vehicle look newer than it is (age-identifier rule).
The vehicle must be available for inspection if requested by the DVLA.

Frequently asked questions

What is a V750?: A Certificate of Entitlement — issued when you buy an unassigned plate (e.g. from a DVLA auction or a private sale where the plate isn't currently on a car). It proves you own the right to assign that registration to a vehicle.
What is a V778?: A Retention Certificate — issued when you take a plate off a vehicle and hold it without immediately assigning it to another car. It's valid for 10 years and renewable.
How long does an assignment take?: Online via the DVLA — often instant, occasionally 1–2 working days. Postal applications can take 2–4 weeks.
Can I transfer a plate to any vehicle?: The plate must not make the vehicle appear newer than it actually is. The vehicle must also be taxed and MOT'd (or have a valid SORN) and available for inspection if requested.