Assign a private plate to your car

To put a private plate on your car, apply online with the car's log book (V5C) and the V750 or V778. There is no charge for applying. When the car needs no inspection, the number is put on straight away.

A21 OYL

A21 OYL costs £250 all-in at DVLA, and our price check found it was the cheapest DVLA plate.

£0to assign a number you already hold

£80DVLA assignment fee, already in DVLA prices

5 yearstaxed or SORN without a break, for the car

What to have ready before you assign a private plate to a car

Putting a number that you hold onto a vehicle is what assigning means. Have two documents ready:

the V778 retention document (for a number taken off a vehicle) or the V750 certificate of entitlement (for a number never used on a vehicle)
the log book (V5C) belonging to the car where the number will go

Most dealers will move the number onto your car for you if you bought from one. To do the assignment yourself, request the V750 or V778 from the dealer. Our V750 guide explains each of these papers.

Age and Q plate rules

You may not use a private number that would make the vehicle seem newer than it really is. In GOV.UK's example, an 07 number goes on a car first registered in 2003. That is not allowed, because the number looks newer than the car. A newer car can carry an older looking number. The UK plate years page matches identifiers to dates.

You also cannot place a private number onto a Q registered vehicle, or assign one beginning with Q or QNI.

Your car must have DVLA registration in the UK and be able to move on its own power. The vehicle type must need an MOT or HGV test, and the car must be available for inspection if asked. For the past 5 years, it must have stayed taxed or on SORN continuously. Even when usually exempt, a historic vehicle still needs a current MOT.

Assigning a number plate online

Check that the car meets the rules above.
If you want to keep a private number already on the car, take it off first. GOV.UK warns that not doing this could mean you lose the right to it. See retaining a number plate.
Keep the car's V5C and your V750 or V778 close at hand.
Apply on GOV.UK's page to keep or assign a private number. Weekdays, the service runs 7am to 9pm, and at weekends it runs 7am to 8pm. Post is another way to apply. Neither option costs anything.
The number is assigned straight away when the car does not need an inspection.
New number plates must be fitted before you drive. A registered number plate supplier must provide them. That supplier will request evidence of your name and address, plus evidence of your right to the number, for example the V750, V778 or V5C.
Allow time for the new log book to arrive. A replacement costs £25 if 6 weeks pass without the book arriving and you have not contacted DVLA.

A brand new car, a used car, or someone else's car

Brand new car: hand your V750 or V778 to the dealer and ask them to make the application.
Used car you have just bought: apply once DVLA has sent the new V5C showing your name.
Someone else's car: add their name as nominee to section 2 of either the V750 or V778, then the number can go on their vehicle. A private number plate gift works in this way.

How to put a cherished plate on a car

You follow the same steps to put a cherished plate on a car. A dateless number plate has no year in it, so it cannot make a car appear newer than it is. You can use it on any vehicle, whatever its age, provided the vehicle is not Q registered.

Common questions

Is there a cost to put a private plate on?

You can apply to assign a number you hold for free, either online or by post. You pay the £80 DVLA assignment fee at the point of purchase. DVLA's prices include this fee, though some dealers add it on top.

When are you able to put a private plate on?

This becomes possible as soon as the V5C for the car shows your name and you have the V750 or V778. If the car needs no inspection, the number is assigned straight away online.