Number plate glossary | explanation of numberplate terminology

Number plates – as with most things – has developed its own terminology and lexicon. From Assignment to Prefix to Vanity Plates it can all be a bit much! – Here’s our guide to the key words – and what they mean.

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Autonumerology - the study of numberplates
Age Identifier – New style numberplates have a 2 digit “age identifier” which tell you when the number plate was issued.
Assignment Fee – When transferring a number plate from retention to a vehicle- the DVLA charge and assignment fee.
Cherished transfer - Transferring a numberplate from one vehicle to another
CNDA - Cherished Numbers Dealers Association
DOT - Department of transport
Donor Vehicle – When transferring or retaining a number plate- the car from which the number plate is transferred is known as the donor vehicle.
DVLC - Driver and vehicle licensing centre
DVLA - Driver and vehicle licensing Agency
DVLA Local Office – Your local tax office is the place to conduct number plate transfers and assignment- this isn’t dealt with by DVLA Swansea.
DVLA Registrations – The name of the DVLA service allowing members of the public to buy unissued number plates directly from the DVLA.
DVLA Select - The previous name for DVLA Registrations.
Entitlement- You never “own” a number plate – you merely own the “entitlement” to display if on your vehicle.
Grantee- The Grantee features on the V778 retention document – the Grantee is the only person entitled to transfer or assign the number plate.
Irish number plates– number plates originally issued or intended for use in Ireland.
Local Identifier – New style number plates have 2 letters which indicate the local tax office at which the number plate was registered.
Log book - The V5 / vehicle registration document
MOT - Ministry of Transport annual roadworthiness test
Nominee – A nominee appears on both the V750 retention document and the V778 retention document. A nominee is a person who has no entitlement to a number plate; but the plate may be transferred to a vehicle in their name.
Purchaser – Appearing on the V750 retention document- the Grantee is the only person entitled to transfer or assign a number plate.
Prefix – Prefix number plates are the reversal of Suffix number plates – they are so called as the letter at the beginning of the number plate “Prefixes” the registration.
PNDA - Personal Numbers Dealers Association - previous name for the CNDA
Recipient Vehicle – When transferring number plates- the vehicle to which the plate will be transferred or assigned is the “recipient vehicle”
Registered Keeper – The person named on the V5 registration document as the legal registered keeper of a vehicle.
Retention – If you own a number plate but wish for it not to be transferred to a vehicle then you can hold it on retention - a 12 month certificate confirming your entitlement to the number plate.
Retention Certificate - The document confirming your entitlement to a registration number.
RNC - Registration Numbers club
Sale of Marks – DVLA Select and DVLA registrations are both still known by some people as the “Sale of Marks” – this basically refers to the DVLA retailing unissued number plates to the public.
Suffix – Suffix number plates began after dateless plates as a means of providing more combinations – this was achieved by adding a letter to the end of the plate – a “suffix”
V5 - The logbook document proving vehicle ownership.
V10- Application to license a vehicle
V55 - Application for first registration of a vehicle
V317 – The DVLA form used to transfer number plates from vehicle to vehicle.