Frequently Asked Questions

Search for a plate using our AI-powered search engine. We check every major supplier at once — DVLA, Regtransfers, TopReg, National Numbers, and dozens more. When you find a plate you like, we connect you directly with the supplier selling it. They handle the payment, transfer, and all the paperwork.

The total cost includes the registration purchase price plus the compulsory £80 DVLA transfer fee, plus VAT where applicable. For example, a DVLA Government Stock plate priced at £250 would cost £330 in total (£250 + £80 DVLA transfer fee). Some suppliers include the transfer fee in their advertised price — always check. Physical acrylic plates for your vehicle are ordered separately.

DVLA Government Stock plates are unissued registrations sold directly by the DVLA at fixed prices (starting from £250 plus the £80 DVLA transfer fee). Private plates are registrations already assigned to a vehicle or held on a retention certificate, sold by individual owners or dealers — prices vary based on desirability and market demand.

No. If you don’t have a vehicle to assign the plate to right away, it can be held on a V778/V750 Retention Certificate. This is valid for 10 years and can be renewed free of charge through the DVLA, so you can assign it to a vehicle whenever you’re ready.

Yes, you can purchase a plate and have the recipient’s name added to the V778/V750 Retention Certificate as the nominee. When they’re ready, they can assign it to their vehicle. The nominee name must match the name on their vehicle’s V5C logbook.

Yes. The registration can be placed on a V778/V750 Retention Certificate with another person’s name as the nominee. The nominee’s name will need to match the registered keeper name on the vehicle they eventually assign the plate to.

We aggregate listings from the DVLA, all major dealers, and private sellers, and update them regularly. In the rare event a registration is no longer available when you contact the supplier, they’ll let you know. You can always come back and search for alternatives — that’s the beauty of having every supplier in one place.

If a registration is no longer available from the supplier, come back to PersonalReg and search again. Because we aggregate every major dealer, there’s a good chance another supplier has the same plate or a great alternative. Refund policies vary by supplier — check with them directly.

Use our free valuation tool to get an AI-powered estimate of your plate’s value. Then request quotes from multiple trusted dealers in one go — no need to visit each supplier individually. Compare their offers, fees, and terms side by side, and choose the dealer that works best for you. They handle the sale, transfer, and paperwork.

Plate values depend on many factors including the letters and numbers, how closely they spell a name or word, the format (dateless plates are generally more valuable), and current market demand. Use our free valuation tool for an instant AI-powered estimate based on recent comparable sales.

PersonalReg doesn’t charge you anything — we’re a free search engine. Fees vary by dealer: some charge listing fees, some take a commission on sale, and some offer free valuations. We show you each dealer’s fee structure upfront so you can compare and choose the best deal before committing.

If you sell or scrap your vehicle, your personalised plate does not automatically go with it. You should retain the plate beforehand by applying to the DVLA for a V778/V750 Retention Certificate (£80 fee). This preserves the plate for future use or sale. If you don’t retain it, the plate stays with the vehicle.

Online transfers typically take 7–10 working days. If paperwork needs to be sent to the DVLA by post, it can take up to 21 working days. Your chosen supplier will keep you updated throughout the process. You can still drive your vehicle during this time.

You’ll need your V5C registration certificate (logbook), a valid MOT certificate (if applicable), and the vehicle must be taxed. For plates on retention, you’ll need the V778/V750 retention certificate. Your supplier will guide you through exactly what’s needed.

You can fit your new plates once you’ve received confirmation from the DVLA that the transfer is complete. This is typically an EV948 document sent by email, or your new V5C logbook arriving in the post. Do not display the new plates until you have official confirmation.

A registration cannot make a vehicle appear newer than it actually is. For example, a ’24” plate (issued from March 2024) cannot be assigned to a car first registered in 2020. However, you can always assign an older registration to a newer vehicle. Dateless plates (e.g. ‘1 A’ or ‘ABC 1’) have no year identifier and can go on any vehicle regardless of age.

You can assign a personalised plate to most vehicles registered in the UK, provided the vehicle is taxed, has a valid MOT (if required), and is available for inspection if requested by the DVLA. The plate must not make a vehicle appear newer than it is.

When you assign a new personalised plate, your vehicle’s previous registration is held by the DVLA. If you ever remove the personalised plate in future, the original registration will usually be reassigned to the vehicle. If you want to keep the old registration separately, you’ll need to apply to the DVLA to retain it before the new one is assigned.

If your V5C logbook is with the DVLA (for example, during a change of keeper), speak to the supplier you’re buying from. Most dealers can hold the registration certificate until your documents are returned and then proceed with the assignment.

It’s best to make sure your vehicle is taxed before starting the transfer process, as the DVLA requires a valid tax and MOT for the transfer to go through. If your tax is due during the process, renew it under the current registration before the new one is assigned.

Yes. The DVLA now governs vehicle registrations across the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland. Registrations can be transferred between mainland UK and Northern Irish vehicles without any issues.

No problem. Your registration can be held on a V778/V750 Retention Certificate, which is valid for 10 years and can be renewed free of charge through the DVLA. You can assign it to a vehicle whenever you’re ready.

Yes, you can retain your personalised plate by applying for a retention certificate (V778) from the DVLA. There is a DVLA fee of £80 for retention. The certificate is valid for 10 years and can be renewed. Most suppliers can also help you with the retention process.

Technically, no. The registration remains the property of the Secretary of State (i.e. the government). What you have is the right to display and use that registration on a vehicle, or to hold it on a retention certificate. This right can be transferred or sold, but the registration itself cannot be ‘owned’ in the traditional sense.

Yes. You can move a personalised registration from one vehicle to another, provided both vehicles meet the DVLA’s requirements (taxed, valid MOT where applicable, and the age rule is respected). The DVLA charges an £80 fee for each transfer.

Our AI analyses thousands of historical sales, current market listings, and plate characteristics (format, letter/number combinations, words or names formed) to generate an estimated market value. The valuation considers comparable plates that have recently sold and current demand trends.

Our AI valuations are based on extensive market data and are designed to give you a realistic estimate. However, the actual sale price can vary depending on market conditions and buyer demand. We recommend using our valuation as a guide and considering recent comparable sales when setting your asking price.

Yes, our instant AI valuation is completely free with no obligation. You can value as many plates as you like. If you’d like a more detailed valuation or certificate for insurance purposes, we offer a premium valuation service for a small fee.

PersonalReg is the UK’s ultimate number plate search engine. We aggregate over 75 million registrations from the DVLA, every major dealer, and thousands of private sellers into one simple search. We don’t sell plates ourselves — we connect you with the best suppliers so you can compare prices and buy with confidence. Think of us as a comparison site for number plates.

In the rare event that a DVLA transfer is rejected (usually due to vehicle eligibility issues), your supplier will work with you to resolve the problem. Most reputable dealers offer full refunds if a transfer cannot be completed. We recommend checking the supplier’s refund policy before purchasing.

No, the price covers the registration only (the right to use those letters and numbers). Physical acrylic plates to display on your vehicle can be ordered separately from a registered number plate supplier. We can point you in the right direction if needed.

No. Vehicles with a Q registration (typically kit cars or vehicles with uncertain identity) cannot have a new personalised registration assigned to them. This is a DVLA restriction.

No. Registrations containing ‘MAN’ (Isle of Man registrations) are restricted to vehicles registered on the Isle of Man and cannot be transferred to mainland UK or Northern Irish vehicles.