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What is Car Number Plate Retention?

Number plate retention is a DVLA service that allows you to remove a private registration from a vehicle while keeping the legal right to use it in the future. 

It’s typically used when selling a car, changing vehicles, or planning to reassign the plate later.

Once a plate is placed on retention, it’s no longer attached to a vehicle.

Instead, the DVLA issues a V778 Retention Certificate, which confirms your continued ownership of the registration. 

The certificate is valid for up to 10 years and allows the number plate to be reassigned to another vehicle at any time.

Retention must be completed before the vehicle is scrapped or sold, as number plates can’t be recovered once a car is permanently removed from the road. 

Keeping a plate on retention ensures it remains legally protected under your name or that of a nominated grantee.

How to retain your number plate with DVLA

How to Retain a Private Number Plate?

You can submit a number plate retention request to the DVLA before removing the registration from your vehicle. 

This allows you to take the private plate off the car and legally hold it on a certificate for future use.

The retention request can be submitted by the vehicle’s registered keeper or a nominated grantee.

To qualify, the vehicle must be DVLA-registered, taxed or declared off-road (SORN), and available for inspection if required.

Steps to retain your private number plate:

  1. Confirm eligibility – The vehicle must be registered in Great Britain, taxed or SORN, and roadworthy.
  2. Get form V317 – Downloadable online for digital or postal applications.
  3. Complete your details – Include the registration number, certificate holder, and optional nominee.
  4. Pay the £80 fee – The cost is the same whether you apply online or by post.
  5. Submit your documents – Apply via GOV.UK or mail to the DVLA.
  6. Receive the V778 certificate – Usually issued within 2 to 4 weeks.

Once processed, the number plate is removed from the vehicle and preserved on the retention certificate for future reassignment.

How to Apply for Number Plate Retention Online or by Post

You can apply for number plate retention through the DVLA either online or by post, with both methods costing £80 and resulting in the issue of a V778 Retention Certificate. 

The key difference lies in processing time and document handling.

Application Method Comparison

Method

Cost

Processing Time

Requirements

Online

£80

Same day (if approved)

V5C logbook in your name; vehicle must be taxed or SORN

Postal

£80

Up to 4 weeks

Completed V317 form, V5C logbook, payment (cheque or card)

The online process is faster, doesn’t require printing, and allows same-day approval in most cases.

You’ll need access to the DVLA website and your vehicle logbook.

The postal option involves sending physical documents to the DVLA.

It’s slower but helpful if you're applying on behalf of someone else or prefer to nominate another grantee during the process.

What is the V778 Retention Document?

The V778 Retention Certificate is a legal document issued by the DVLA when a private number plate is removed from a vehicle and placed on retention.

It confirms that you continue to hold the rights to the registration, even though it is no longer assigned to any car.

This certificate enables you to reassign the number plate to another eligible vehicle at any time.

Details included on the V778:

  • The private registration number placed on retention
  • The legal holder’s name (grantee) and any nominated user
  • The certificate’s expiry date (valid for up to 10 years)
  • The authority to transfer the plate to another vehicle

The V778 (green form) differs from the V750 (pink form), which is issued for brand-new number plates that haven’t been used on a vehicle yet.

The V778 applies exclusively to registrations that have been removed from a vehicle and placed on retention.

How Much Does It Cost to Retain a Number Plate?

Retaining a private number plate through the DVLA costs £80, whether you apply online or by post.

This one-time fee covers removing the registration from your vehicle and issuing a V778 Retention Certificate, which legally preserves your rights to the plate.

The certificate can be renewed free of charge during the final 28 days of its 10-year validity.

There are no additional fees for holding the plate on retention or for updating nominee or grantee details during that period.

How Long Does Retention Last and Can It Expire?

A number plate retention certificate (V778) is valid for 10 years from the date it’s issued. 

During this period, the private registration remains legally held by the grantee and can be assigned to a suitable vehicle at any time.

You can renew the certificate free of charge during the final 28 days before expiry. 

If the certificate is not renewed in time, you risk permanently losing the rights to the registration. The DVLA does not send reminders, so it's essential to keep track of the expiry date.

To maintain legal ownership, ensure renewal is completed before the certificate lapses.

What If I Lose My Retention Certificate?

If your V778 Retention Certificate is lost or misplaced, the DVLA can issue a replacement free of charge, provided the original is still valid and hasn't expired.

Only the named grantee, the legal certificate holder, can request a duplicate.

You’ll need to contact the DVLA by post or phone, providing proof of identity and the vehicle registration number. 

Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Until the new certificate is issued, the private number plate cannot be reassigned, so it’s important to request a replacement promptly to avoid delays.

How to Check if a Number Plate is on Retention

There is no official DVLA tool to check whether a number plate is on retention.

To confirm retention status, you must review the V778 Retention Certificate, which shows the registered holder and the expiry date.

If the certificate is unavailable, you can contact the DVLA to request verification, although information may only be disclosed to the named grantee.

When purchasing a number plate claimed to be "on retention," always ask to see the valid V778 certificate to avoid scams or misrepresentation.

Can I Transfer My Retention Certificate to Someone Else?

Yes, you can transfer ownership of a retained number plate by assigning it to a new vehicle and updating the grantee details during the retention process.

Steps to transfer a retention certificate:

  • Assign the number plate to a vehicle registered to the new person
  • Submit a new retention request using DVLA form V317
  • Name the new person as the grantee (the legal owner)
  • Pay the £80 DVLA fee (if applicable)
  • Receive a new V778 certificate in their name

You may also add a nominee, who can assign the plate to a vehicle but does not own it.

To complete the transfer, always ensure the correct person is listed as the grantee when applying.

When Can I Assign My Retained Plate to a Vehicle?

You can assign a retained number plate at any time, provided the vehicle meets DVLA eligibility rules.

The vehicle must:

  • Be registered in Great Britain
  • Be taxed and have a valid MOT (if over 3 years old)
  • Not carry a Q-plate or Q-prefix

You’ll need a valid V778 Retention Certificate to begin the process.

Assignment can be completed online at GOV.UK or by post using form V317.

Once approved, the number plate is transferred to the vehicle, and the certificate becomes void.

Once approved, the DVLA Number Plate Change is transferred to the vehicle, and the certificate becomes void.

If you're the current grantee, no additional fee is required for assignment.

Number Plate Retention Rules and DVLA Eligibility

The DVLA applies strict eligibility rules when placing a number plate on retention.

The vehicle and registration must meet all the following conditions:

  • Registered in Great Britain (excludes Northern Ireland)
  • Taxed or declared SORN at the time of application
  • Available for DVLA inspection, if requested
  • Must not display a Q-plate or Q-prefix registration
  • Must be roadworthy and capable of moving under its own power
  • You must be the registered keeper listed on the V5C logbook

Applications that fail to meet these criteria may be refused. Check all requirements before submitting a retention request to avoid delays.

FAQs About Number Plate Retention

A V778 certificate is official DVLA proof that a private registration is being legally held on a vehicle for future use.

The cost is £80, payable to the DVLA when applying to place a number plate on retention.

Up to 10 years, with a free renewal window during the final 28 days before expiry.

No, to place a number plate on retention, your vehicle must be taxed or declared SORN and have a valid MOT (if over 3 years old).

If your plate is already on a V778 certificate, no MOT or tax is needed to continue holding it. These requirements apply only when first placing it on retention.

If your V778 retention certificate has expired, you may no longer have legal rights to the number plate. The DVLA typically considers the registration lost unless it was renewed within 28 days before expiry.

Contact the DVLA immediately to check if reinstatement is possible, but recovery is not guaranteed.

No, once the V778 expires without renewal, the DVLA may revoke the registration permanently. Renew before the deadline to avoid losing rights.

Related Services and Guides from CarVeto

For further help managing your private number plate, CarVeto provides DVLA-based tools and expert resources to guide you through every step of the process: