Well, I'm sure it once was... Scenario - Private plate on car and would like to change to another private plate. DVLA online service and there's no way to go private to private in one go, unless you do it by post, so first step is to retain the current reg, £80. DVLA assigns a number and in the past this was the number the car was supplied with - useful as I have that set of plates - no - completely random one, so a new set ordered and on the car the next day. Inform insurance, as the next step cannot be carried out until the new V5 arrives (along with the retention certificate for the removed one) probably a week - ten days. When new V5 arrives, dig out retention certificate for chosen reg, pop on (plates already made up), and off you go. No cost, as the retention fee was paid previously. New V5 will again be posted out and land within less than two weeks. Now, you should inform anyone with a connection to the vehicle at each swap, but took the chance for the interim. When the final plate lands, I need to inform: Insurance Finance GAP Dealer Extended Warranty Co Connected Drive (for remote services) Congestion website and similar Toll tag Tracker And no doubt others I've forgotten. Costs ends up £80 DVLA, £20 for two insurance changes, £70 for four plates. Tax and MOT is dealt with by DVLA. Wish me luck
I have an inherited private plate on one of my bikes that I have wanted to change back to a normal age related plate (also, my name is not Alastair "ALS"). I don't think I'll bother now if it's so difficult.
My boy has recently changed from private to original when he sold his car Bought a new to him waited for V5 to come which was around 5 days private plates on He had to pay £80 to retain personal plate and he found it easy to do
Absolutely, not a difficult process and all online. The pain can be the V5 delay, but nit usually more than a week. The issue is more, as above, private to private becomes three reg changes back to back.
He couldn't wait for the V5 to get his plates on I had to watch for the post each morning until it arrived