What is retention?

Retention is a scheme which enables you to hold a number plate "on certificate" and means you don't need a vehicle if you want to buy a personalised number plate.

The retention scheme is useful for the sale and transfer of number plates as it clearly states who owns the number plate in question and provides proof of its particulars.

How to retain a number plate

To retain a number plate you will need to complete form V778/1.

You must be the registered keeper of the vehicle to be "entitled" to retain the numberplate.

Simply complete form V778/1 and send to your local DVLA office along with

1. V5C for the "donor" vehicle
2. MOT certificate
3. Copy of current tax disc- not the original
4. Cheque for the £105 fee payable to "DVLA Swansea"

What is the entitlement period?

When a number plate is held on retention- the rights to the number plate expire after 12 months- this period of time is the entitlement period.

To transfer the number plate to a car or to extend the entitlement- the expiry date must not have passed- as soon as the entitlement period ends- you lose any rights to that registration number.

How to extend the entitlement period?

On the retention document you may sign and date the "extension of entitlement" period box and send this to the DVLA Swansea along with a cheque for £25 payable to "DVLA SWANSEA"

Read more here about DVLA fees

DVLA retention documents

V778 – Retention document for number plates which have been retained from a vehicle.

V750 – Retention document for new and unissued number plates which have never been transferred to a vehicle.

V778/1 - Application to retain a registration number.

Baffled by Jargon? Try our number plate glossary

© 2008 Smashing Plates | What is number plate retention.