Today we are going to cover the difference between two very similar DVLA Documents. The DVLA Documents V750 and V778 allow a personalised number plate to be kept whilst it is not attached or assigned to a vehicle.

DVLA Document V750 – Certificate of Entitlement

The V750 Certificate of Entitlement is a pink A4 size piece of paper. It is used by the DVLA for the first issue of a personalised registration. If you have a V750 then the vehicle registration number shown on the document has never before been displayed on a vehicle. It is a brand new registration.

DVLA Document V778 – Retention Document

The V778 Retention Document is a green A4 size piece of paper. It is used by the DVLA when a personalised registration has been separated from a vehicle and placed on retention. If you have a V778 then the retained personalised registration has previously been displayed on a vehicle.

Expiry of your DVLA Documents

Both documents have historically been valid for 1, 2 or 3 years from the date of issue by DVLA. From the 9th of March 2015 all V750 & V778’s issued by DVLA are valid for ten years. If after ten years you are still not ready to transfer your personalised number plate to your car you can extend the certificate for a further ten years free of charge.

There is no limit for the length of time a vehicle registration number can be held on a certificate. This is particularly useful in the situation where a parent or grandparent may have bought a personalised registration as a future gift for a child. It is not unusual for some registrations to be held on paper for 17 years. It is a fantastic occasion when the number plates are eventually made up and fixed to the first car or motorbike belonging to your son, daughter or grandchild.