How to buy a private car number plate?

Buying a private car number plate is an easy process that can add a personal touch to your vehicle. There are two common means of purchasing these unique identifiers for your car: directly from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or via third-party resellers.

Each method offers its own benefits, with the choice often coming down to personal preference and available options however you can only buy pre-owned private plates from third party dealers such as ourselves.

What is the process of getting a private number plate?

The process starts by finding an available number plate that you would like to purchase. If you are buying from the DVLA, you can visit their website and browse a limited selection of available plates that are first issues, however if you would like to use our number plate search this can help you find both DVLA and privately owner registrations that are currently available or may already be on vehicles and available to purchase.

Once you have found a plate you like, you can purchase it directly online using a range of payment options from credit/debit card to monthly finance options. You will then be provided with a Certificate of Entitlement (V750), proving you have the right to assign the number to a vehicle.

Before assigning your new registration number, ensure you have the following:

• You are in posession of a valid log book for the vehicle, which matches the Nominee name shown on the certificate
• The vehicle has a valid MOT (Excluding classic cars prior to 1960)
• The vehicle has valid road tax

You can then assign your new private plate to your vehicle online via the DVLA or you are opt to use a third party registration transfer service. Once this process is complete, you'll need to put your new physical number plates onto your vehicle, you can get these made by a registered number plate producer seperate from your purchase of the registration numner or can order these along with your purchase online.

How do I buy a private plate privately?

If you choose to purchase from a private seller or third-party retailer, there may be a wider selection of interesting or unique combinations available, as they often have larger inventories than the DVLA. To purchase privately, browse through our plate listings or use our number plate search. Once you've found a plate you like you can enquire or make an offer to the seller/owner of the registration via Click4Reg.

Depending on your purchase type you can either decide to transfer the private plate to a vehicle or retain it on a (V778 for retention documents for pre-owned registrations or a V750 for a certificate of entitlement for first issue/unassigned registrations).

Is it worth buying a private number plate?

Whether buying a private number plate is worth it depends largely on personal preference. A private number plate allows you to customise your vehicle and make it more unique or personal. It can add individuality, style and character, helping your car stand out in a crowd. Adding a private number plate could also potentially increase the resale value of your vehicle, especially if the plate is particularly rare or desirable, see our article about making a number plate personal to you.

Can I buy a personalised number plate from the DVLA?

Yes, the DVLA deals directly with customers looking to purchase personalised number plates. They offer a un-issued selection of private number plates via thier website and also hold regular auctions throughout the year where around 1500 number plates are up for grabs in each session. From appealing 3-letter combinations to plates with popular names or words, the DVLA provides an array of options for customers looking to personalise their vehicles, however as previously stated you cannot purchase pre-owned registrations for sale by individuals/owners from the DVLA for these you need to use a third party dealer such as Click4Reg.