Private number plate swap - how does it work? | Ask Honest John

Private number plate swap - how does it work?

When I bought my car it was brand new and I put my own private number plate on it. Now I am changing my car and want to take my private plate off the old car to put on the new car. But I don't have a number plate to put on my old car because my private plate was the original plate. How does it work? Do I have to buy another number plate to put on the old car? Or will the garage do it?

Asked on 18 February 2022 by Ian

Answered by Sarah Tooze

The DVLA will provide the replacement number for your old vehicle to enable you to retain the private plate, and will also issue a new V5C, and a retention certificate for the private number. You, as the keeper, are then responsible for getting plates made for the replacement number in order to fit them to the old vehicle.

Tags: number plates

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