Is there a grace period when putting a private plate on retention?
I’m part exchanging my current car (which has my private plate on) for a brand new car. I will be putting my private plate on retention prior to handing my current car over to the dealership so that the new car can be registered using it. Once on retention is there a period of grace where I can continue to drive my current car with my private plate physically on it? Also, do I need to notify my insurance when I know the age related plate of my current car?
Asked on 11 December 2025 by
Answered by
David Ross
Once you have notified the DVLA and put your private registration on retention you should be issued with a registration for your current vehicle, or it may revert to its original registration. You cannot continue to display your private registration on your current car once it is on retention, as the plate no longer belongs to the car. You should also notify your insurance company of all the changes as they occur. You also have the option of asking the dealer if they can register your new car with your private registration.
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