Question about private number plates

Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,428
Location
Derbyshire
Hi all.
I've never had a private plate before and have always been interested.
This isn't a 'I'm going to buy it' thread I am just doing some research at this stage.

Every now and then I have a quick look to see if there is anything good for cheap.
A fantastic one has appeared, in the format XX14XXX which is as close to my surname I have ever seen a private plate, or should I say one that is a reasonable price (£399).

A quick Google suggests that if I pay for the plate then I can hold onto it provided I pay a £25 fee each year.
Obviously I can't use this plate as one of my cars is a 1992 J and the other is a 2007 57 (although you'd be retarded if someone with a 14 plate sold you a MK1 MX5 saying it was brand new).

Can the yearly £25 retention fee be paid for years on end or is there a limit?
The DVLA website says the £399 includes an £80 fee, so whenever I used the plate I would need to pay this again?
Could it be used on the MX5 as that plate uses the X123XXX format rather than the newer XX12XXX?
 
Hi all.
I've never had a private plate before and have always been interested.
This isn't a 'I'm going to buy it' thread I am just doing some research at this stage.

Every now and then I have a quick look to see if there is anything good for cheap.
A fantastic one has appeared, in the format XX14XXX which is as close to my surname I have ever seen a private plate, or should I say one that is a reasonable price (£399).

A quick Google suggests that if I pay for the plate then I can hold onto it provided I pay a £25 fee each year.
Obviously I can't use this plate as one of my cars is a 1992 J and the other is a 2007 57 (although you'd be retarded if someone with a 14 plate sold you a MK1 MX5 saying it was brand new).

Can the yearly £25 retention fee be paid for years on end or is there a limit?
The DVLA website says the £399 includes an £80 fee, so whenever I used the plate I would need to pay this again?
Could it be used on the MX5 as that plate uses the X123XXX format rather than the newer XX12XXX?


Hi,

It can not be used on a car which is older then 2014 /14. You would not be able to use it as it isn't allowed to make the car newer then it actually is. You would then need a car which is a '14 plate' or newer.

So, no it cannot be used on a MX5 which has the 'X123XXX' format. Don't take my word, but IIRC, you do not need to pay the £80 again to put it on the car. Just pay the £25 every year until you want to put it on the car.

Ps; look at auctions as sometimes you may get a good deal on a plate.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Is there a limit on the number of years it can be retained for?
If you buy a private plate do you own it forever or are you a leaseholder of it? (say 20 years or something).

Sadly most plates relevant to my surname are well over £1000.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Is there a limit on the number of years it can be retained for?
If you buy a private plate do you own it forever or are you a leaseholder of it? (say 20 years or something).

Sadly most plates relevant to my surname are well over £1000.

https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers/retaining-a-registration-number


http://www.simplyregistrations.co.uk/blog/how-long-can-you-keep-a-personalised-registration-on-retention/

This link says you just need to pay £25 a year for however long you require to keep it on retention.
 
Last edited:
The plate is yours for as long as you pay the retention.

There might be a fee to transfer to a car later, can't remember?
 
Back
Top Bottom