Information on the Department of Transport's Cherished Transfer and Retention schemes:-

The Cherished Transfer Scheme enables a registration number to be moved directly from one vehicle to another. Only the registered keeper of a vehicle is entitled to apply to transfer its number. Application is made on form V317 and the fee for a transfer is £80 (at time of publication). Regplate will assist you with the entire process !

The DOT Retention Scheme enables a number to be held apart from the vehicle it has been assigned to (perhaps while you are in-between vehicles or awaitng the sale of the number) for a 12 month period. Only the registered keeper of a vehicle is entitled to apply for a right of retention.

REMEMBER:  Under the current rules the retention right is granted to the applicant (the grantee) alone and it is non-transferable - the nominee has no rights to the number.

Only the grantee can apply to have the retained registration number assigned, and it can only be assigned to a vehicle which is registered to the grantee, or to the nominee shown on the retention document.

Once you have assigned the retained number to your, or your nominee's, vehicle you have fully exercised your rights under the terms of the retention facility. After assignment, entitlement to the number comes through being the keeper of the vehicle which has received it. Only the keeper is entitled to apply for further retention or transfer of the number.

If the vehicle which is receiving the retained number is already registered, its existing number will become void unless an application to retain or transfer that number is made at the same time.

The V317 and V778/1 forms contain notes for guidance and are available from DVLC and your nearest VRO (but see section 1). For the address and telephone number look in your 'phone book under "Transport, Department of".

Before you apply, check your V5 registration Document to make sure that the number is transferable. If it is not, it will say so on the V5. If the registration document states that the registration number is non-transferable, then it cannot be retained either. However, the vehicle may still be eligible to receive a cherished mark (this does not apply if the vehicle has a "Q" mark).

You should also check to make sure that the conditions for the transfer and retention schemes can be compiled with. These conditions are as follows :-

Vehicles must be available for inspection.
The inspection helps to verify entitlement to the registration number being transferred / retained. Both the donor (the vehicle giving up the number) and the recipient (the vehicle receiving the number) may be called for inspection.

Vehicles must be subject to MOT / HGV test.
Non-testable vehicles such as agricultural tractors and milk floats, for example, are outside the scope of the schemes. Only testable vehicles can participate in transfers and retentions and valid test certificates must be sent with applications.

Vehicles must be currently licensed, or in the process of being licensed. The application will still be considered, however, where the last licence (tax disc) expired within six months of the date of application. If the licence has been voluntarily surrendered for refund, the six-month concession does not normally apply.

There is restriction on transfers involving motorcycles -
If you are satisfied that you have met all the conditions, you can send your application to your nearest VRO - but see section 1. If everything is in order and the application is approved, a replacement registration number which is appropriate to its age will be assigned. If the vehicle was registered before 1963 it will be assigned a number which does not contain a year identifier and which you will not be able to transfer or put on retention.

Replacement tax disc(s) will be issued, and the MOT certificates(s) - where applicable - will be endorsed to show that the vehicle's number has changed.

Finally, registration document(s) showing the changed registration number will be sent out from DVLC to the keeper(s). In the case of a retention application, a V778 Retention Document, valid for 12 months, will also be sent to the grantee.
 
It is importamt that you do not dispose of the vehicle until the application has been fully completed and you have received the amended registration document(s). If you dispose of the vehicle too soon, you may lose entitlement to the cherished mark.
 
Rules for motorcycles and  mopeds...

Motorcycles and mopeds can take part in the transfer and retention schemes, but there is a restriction. Numbers may be transferred between two-wheeled motor vehicles. They can also be transferred from two-wheeled vehicles to cars, HGVs etc. However, numbers from cars, HGVs etc cannot be transferred onto two-wheeled vehicles. The reasons for this restriction are linked to the control of abuse of the schemes.
 
How must you  present your registration ?

It stands to reason that registration numbers must be correctly displayed in accordance with the regulations; many dealers and number plate manufacturers will tell a merry tale of mis-spacing and skullduggery. More information on spacing can be found in leaflet V796 Display of Registration Marks; alternatively, you can ring Regplate and one of our bimbos will explain this in words of one syllable.
 

If you have an old style log book / V5 registration document but the vehicle no longer exists. Can you claim the registration number?

No, you may not.
Once a vehicle has ceased to exist, entitlement to its number also ceases. Possession of a log book or registration document  alone does not give entitlement to a registration number. If a vehicle has been scrapped, you are required by law to notify the Secretary of State and return the registration document to DVLC.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The terms and conditions apply to all business transactions carried out by Gold Plate Registrations, hereinafter referred to as 'The Company'. The client or the recipient of the registration mark is referred to as 'The Purchaser'. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that all the correct details are given to the company's representative at the time of purchase. The company's representative shall use the standard phonetic alphabet to refer to combinations requested by the purchaser. No refund whatsoever will be made in the event of failure to proceed by the purchaser In no circumstances shall the company be made responsible for any failed transfers or disappointments. In such cases any payment made shall be refunded, less a £25 administration fee, plus any other expenses directly incurred by The Company provided that the failure is through no fault of the purchaser. The company's liability is strictly limited to a refund only and no claims for damages, interest on monies paid, interest charges or any other expenses shall be entertained. The purchaser agrees to submit the recipient vehicle documents as requested by the company within three weeks, unless otherwise arranged and documented within our system. We accept no responsibility for delays caused by the postal system, electronic mail, the Department of Transport, the DVLA, any unforeseen circumstances or any failure or delay on the part of the donor or the recipient vehicles. Whilst every attempt is made to ensure the fastest possible transfer, the company cannot guarantee any specific time period for the entire transfer. In the unlikely event of the donor vehicle failing to meet the requirements of the Department of Transport, a full refund shall be given to the purchaser. This agreement is not subject to cancellation. Any refunds made or agreed are at the sole discretion of the company. All prices given exclude the Department of Transport transfer fee and VAT in some instances, unless otherwise specified in writing. Where a registration mark is to be assigned to a vehicle kept in Northern Ireland there may be an additional transfer charge. In the event that The Company are compelled to assign the mark in the first instance to one of their own vehicles prior to retention, the maximum transfer time allowed shall be extended for a further 28 days. You may pay the remainder of the outstanding purchase amount by credit card, although The Company will charge an additional 2.5% handling charge for this. Debit cards such as Switch do not incur an additional handling charge. If payment is not honoured within 30 days from the date of purchase, The Company reserve the right to re-release the number for sale without further notice or refund of deposit to the purchaser. The date of purchase is indicated by the date on which the deposit was first taken. In the event that the client fails to honour the purchase The Company reserve the right to pursue for 'loss of earnings'. Actual number plates are the purchaser's own responsibility. The purchaser should not have plates manufactured or displayed until they have received the new tax disc and the transfer has been completed. Any plates not manufactured to the British Specification are displayed at the purchaser's own risk. All plates should be displayed in accordance with Section 17 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations Act 1971. A vehicle registration mark cannot be held prior to receiving payment as the company operates on a strict first come, first served basis. No verbal conditions or guarantees expressed or implied shall have effect on these Terms and conditions unless written and initiated by one of the Directors of the company. Any requests made by the purchaser to cancel the agreement should be made in writing and sent recorded delivery within 5 days of the date of purchase. However, it is the sole discretion of the company to act upon any proceedings that may arise in connection with this agreement. The recipient vehicle must be licensed and of a testable type. Please ensure that you are happy with your choice of registration number as it cannot be exchanged or refunded after being purchased. The purchaser agrees to be bound to the terms and conditions as set out by the DVLA and the Department of Transport in addition to those as set out by the company. The company shall reserve the right to terminate this agreement at any time, prior to the transfer being completed. Should this right be exercised by the company then any payments made by the purchaser to the company shall be refunded in full. In the event that the purchaser fails to respond to Gold Plate Registrations correspondence with regard to the pending lapse of any form of certificate, Gold Plate Registrations reserve the right to apply for extension, assume ownership of the mark and consider the purchase void. In such circumstances the failure to complete shall be the responsibility of the purchaser and no refund shall be made. Any subsequent transfers with regard to the number purchased are the sole responsibility of the purchaser. THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY WITH REGARD TO DVLA SELECT REGISTRATIONS: Registration numbers must be assigned within 12 months of purchase to a vehicle in the name specified as the nominee. If the mark is not assigned within this period and you are not applying for an extension (of 12 months) to the period, the right shall lapse. The purchase price shall not be refunded. The name of the person or company in whose name the vehicle is to be registered shall be the nominee. These details can be added to or changed later for a further fee. When a mark is being purchased directly from the Government or from The DVLA on behalf of the purchaser, the full sum shall always be payable to Gold Plate Registrations prior to the mark being secured. In the event of the purchase being unsuccessful, the purchaser shall receive a full refund provided that such failure is through no fault of the client. Commission Sales This signed agreement will form the contract between the company and the vendor of the above specified registration. The company will meet all advertising and marketing costs incurred when offering a registration for sale. The company will be responsible for the documentation required to complete the transfer process and to reregister your vehicle. The vendor of the above specified registration can withdraw it at any time by notifying us writing or by electronic mail. The company operates a 100% refund policy, whereby any monies paid in respect of a transfer which has not been satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time will be returned to you in full. If a sale is agreed/deposit taken for the purchase of the above specified registration by us and no written proof of withdrawal of sale has been received, we reserve the right to charge the vendor of the number the sales commission due had the sale in fact been completed. Sales commission is defined as the difference between the purchase price agreed by the buyer of the specified registration and the agreed amount to the vendor of the specified registration on completion. A buyer is defined as a buyer only once a deposit has been received The buyer will be responsible for the £80 DOT Transfer Fee. No responsibility can be accepted for any changes to DOT transfer rules. No specific time period can be guaranteed for a buyer to be found or for the DOT to conduct the transfer, as such circumstances are beyond the control of Gold Plate. This contract is deemed to have been finalized when a copy bearing the vendor's signature is received by at our office whether in hard copy or by facsimile or other electronic means. The Company is a member of the Institute of Registration Agents and Dealers, and so is bound by a rigid code of practice. Any dispute concerning a Cherished Transfer will be passed to the Institute for adjudication. The decision of the M.I.R.A.D. secretary will be final and binding on both parties. The secretary can be contacted on 0870 710 MIRAD (64723) It is in the interest of both parties that your number plate is priced correctly but if you are unsure of the value that Gold Plate have placed on it, either because you wish for a quick sale or feel that it is worth more, please alter the quoted figure. However, you should be aware that asking a higher price could reduce the saleability of the number and may lead to a longer wait for your profit. Rev 07/99 Some numbers are subject to VAT - all are subject to availability and £80 DOT fee

(c) Gold Plate Registrations 1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001 & 2002
Reproduction of these pages in whole or in part is forbidden without permission of the authors.