DVLA 11 Registrations – Advice

As predicted, the DVLA website could not cope with demand for the 11 series launch. The site spent most of the day offline leaving eager purchasers angry and frustrated. When the DVLA Personalised Registrations website eventually returned to normal, many customers were disappointed to discover the plate they wanted had been bought by someone else. Here is some basic advice for anyone looking for information about a particular 11 series registration.

All 11 series registrations are owned by the DVLA at launch. If the registration you are looking for is showing as available on the DVLA Personalised Registrations website then buy it. Some potential purchasers are ringing round private number plates dealers thinking they can negotiate a better price. Whilst some dealer websites try to make you think differently, you cannot get an 11 series registration cheaper than buying it direct from the DVLA.

The price quoted on the DVLA Personalised Registrations website is fully inclusive. Your only additional cost is for a set of number plates (approx. £20) from your local motor spares retailer. Some private dealers advertise prices which do not include the £80 transfer fee or VAT, which is why the price may appear cheaper. Some dealers also insist you buy a set of number plates from them with your purchase which pushes up the price to more than buying direct from DVLA.

When you buy direct from DVLA not only do you save money, you also get the V750 Certificate of Entitlement (DVLA Document) in your name. This is vital when it comes to renewing your Document or adding a nominee. If you buy via a dealer the DVLA Document will be in the name of the Dealer. This means even though you have paid for your registration, the dealer has full legal power over the Document.

This advice applies to anyone who holds a personalised registration on a DVLA Document (V750/V778) which does not show their name as the Purchaser or the Grantee. Get it assigned or transferred to a vehicle in your name as quickly as possible. At the point of assignment or transfer, the rights to display the registration pass to the registered keeper of the vehicle and the previous document is then superseded. While holding a registration on a DVLA Document not in your name, you are taking an unnecessary risk.