A clear guide to the V5C, V750, V778 and V317 — the official documents you'll need when buying, transferring or retaining a private registration.
If you're dealing with personalised number plates, it's essential to understand the different DVLA documents involved. These official documents are vital for buying, assigning, transferring, or retaining private registrations. This guide explains the key DVLA documents clearly, helping you know exactly what you need and when.
What is it? Official vehicle registration document proving ownership and keeper details.
When You Get It: When purchasing a new or used vehicle.
Main Use: Proving ownership, updating vehicle details, selling or transferring a vehicle.
What is it? Proof of entitlement for a brand-new, unassigned private number plate.
When You Get It: When buying a new private plate from DVLA or an authorised dealer.
Main Use: Assigning a previously unassigned personalised plate to your vehicle.
What is it? Confirms that a private plate has been removed from a vehicle and retained separately.
When You Get It: When retaining (removing) a private plate from your vehicle.
Main Use: Holding onto a private registration number that isn't currently assigned to a vehicle.
What is it? DVLA form for transferring a number plate directly to another vehicle, or to retain it.
When You Get It: Downloaded directly from DVLA when transferring or retaining a plate.
Main Use: Transferring private plates between vehicles or moving a plate onto retention.
| Scenario | Required Document(s) |
|---|---|
| Buying a new or used car | V5C Logbook |
| Assigning a brand-new private plate to your vehicle | V750 Certificate of Entitlement |
| Removing your plate from your current vehicle | V317 Form → resulting in V778 Retention Document |
| Transferring a plate directly to another vehicle | V317 Form |
| Selling your car but keeping your personalised plate | V317 Form → resulting in V778 Retention Document |
| Buying a plate from another owner (already retained) | V778 Retention Document (provided by seller) |
| Updating your vehicle details (address/name) | V5C Logbook |
Typically valid for 10 years and renewable indefinitely.
No. You must have one of these documents to legally assign a private plate.
You can request a replacement from the DVLA online for a £25 fee.
Excellent service from Yellowhite. The whole private registration transfer process was smooth, quick and easy, and they kept me informed throughout. Everything was handled professionally, and I’m very pleased with the service. I would definitely recommend Yellowhite to anyone looking for help with private number plates. Thank you!
Great service speedy response everything was handled professionally with cost effective manager. I would highly recommend whoever looking for new private number plate
What a easy simple service from Yellow white, recivied the certificate very quickly. Had a few questions rang spk to dil he was fantastic answered all question explained everything also followed up with email 5* service would use an recommend these guys
Very happy with service. Very quick and love 3D design Thank you. Roger
Dylan made everything straight forward and took care off everything
Staff at Yellowhite are very friendly, helpful and helped me out so much would highly recommend them great service and quick delivery and quick response with getting back to me
Our team handles all the paperwork for you when you buy a plate from Yellowhite.
DVLA number plates for sale
