Process of getting a private number plate.

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Hi, I'm thinking of getting a private number plate, on a second hand car I'm buying end of November. I have gone on the dvla site, but have no clue as to the process, as I am hoping to have the plate as soon as I get the car. Can someone please explain the process and gve best site to buy private number plates please?
 
When you order it from the DVLA you put it on the car in your own time. You could wait years if you want.

There is usually a delay of around 2 weeks before buying a car and being in a position to put the new plates on it though.
 
I bought another plate in September, between buying the plate and getting it on the car was around 10 days.

There’s also little point in buying from anywhere except straight from the DVLA, most other sites simply act as middlemen, and thus end up costing more anyway.
 
Thanks guys, so when I purchase on dvla, do they actually send the plates through the post, within say 10 days? And all I do is put them on the car myself? Also do they require information on the car which will be having the new plates? Sorry if these questions seem scilly, as have no clue how to go about this. Thanks.
 
The DVLA will send you a V778 that you will enter on the DVLA assign a cherished plate site. This is done using details from the V5c and the V778, as soon as that is completed a new V5c is posted to the registered keeper within 5-10 working days.

As soon as the registration is assigned you can fit plates to the car, as is explained on the DVLA site. Use the V778 to have plates made up, the DVLA will not send physical plates to you. According to a guy I spoke with at the DVLA there is a 7 day grace period to fit the new plates, although I always have them ready to fit as soon as the transfer has been done.

The whole process can be done by post, but it takes so long that it just seems like a waste of time. Either way, both done by post or online it’s a relatively simple process. Online makes it easier as if you make a mistake such as a typo you know about it immediately.

remember before you sell, if you want to take the cherished plate off the car, it is £80, if it is not done before transferring ownership the cherished plate ownership goes to the new registered keeper.
 
If you are buying the car then you'll need to wait for the V5 to come through after the purchase before then assigning the plate as described above to the car. When I changed my car I had a lot of phaff getting the v5 through after the sale, mine took around 3 weeks to arrive but when I recently assigned a plate to my wifes car, all done online the updated v5 arrived within around 5 days.
 
Thank you all. Kn the end managed fo get a car with Irish number plates, so no need for private plates......
 
Hey sorry to but in, but wondering if anyone can’t better advise that Google and DVLA website doesn’t seem clear.
I’ve bought a motor with a private plate on the plate was sold with the car and is stated in the advert, that’s not why I bought btw, I just made sure it was so to avoid issues but it seems I can’t find out if that plate now belongs to me because I actually quite like it and managed to get a couple of dates out it haha M22URS, I told them it meant Me 2 Yours and it worked haha I’ve change log book and it’s come through with this plate on is that it now is it mine and how to I get the paperwork v778 or whatever it is so I can keep it if I want. Thanks in advance I just don’t want some Herbert later on saying I’ve got their plate and I’m forced to pay to remove and transfer. Thanks again
 
If your gonna put private plates on, make it worth while and aim for 4 characters max, 3 or less ideally.

Disagree. If you have a V8, any plate with V8 and your 3 initials is pretty cool. Or if you own an Aston Martin Vantage, having V8 AWV or V12 AWV is perfectly acceptable.

A few years ago DVLA were sell off F1 --- plates for less than £500. They were a good buy.

Also my boss has B1KER on his (his name, not cause he's a biker) and that's worth over £100k
 
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