What do I do if I have lost my Retention Certificate?
Losing crucial documents or facing unexpected situations like vehicle theft can be a daunting experience, especially when it involves your private number plate. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the steps to take when you've lost your retention certificate, your certificate has expired, or your vehicle has been stolen.
I have lost my government retention certificate for my private number plate. How can I regain access to my personalised number plate?
The process will depend on whether the certificate is still valid. Both the V750 Certificate of Entitlement (pink) and the V778 Retention Document (green) remain valid for 10 years from their issuance or purchase date.
If the certificate is still valid but lost, you can reach out to the DVLA at 0300 790 6802 to request a duplicate. The DVLA will verify your ownership through a series of different questions. Currently, there is no fee for this service. If you obtained the V750 through a dealer, you might need to contact them to confirm its validity and request a replacement.
In both instances, the original certificate if found will need to be destroyed.
My private plate certificate has reached its expiry date, what steps can I take to renew it?
Initially valid for 10 years, once a certificate has expired, it cannot be renewed. The DVLA does not accept applications for renewal once the expiry date has passed so you MUST renew in plenty of time before it expires.
I didn’t retain my private plate when I sold my car, how can I get it back?
If you've sold your vehicle while your private number plate is still linked to it on the V5C registration certificate, the new owner assumes ownership of both the vehicle and the registration number. To regain control of the registration, you'll need to contact the individual who purchased your vehicle and inquire whether they're willing to transfer the registration back to you, provided you cover the associated DVLA fee (currently £80). If they agree, they will need to send the V5 registration certificate to the DVLA via mail, along with a completed V317 form and an £80 cheque or postal order payable to 'DVLA Swansea'. However, if they opt to retain the registration online, the certificate will be issued under their details, not yours.
I've sold my car and the new owner agreed to transfer my private number plate back to me, however, they haven't fulfilled their commitment. How can I get it back?
When you sell your vehicle with your private number plate still attached, the new owner assumes ownership rights over the registration number. If they agreed to return the personalised registration to you but haven't honoured their promise, unfortunately, your options are limited as they now legally possess the registration rights. However, if you did obtain the agreement in writing (a must in this situation), you may be able to enforce the agreement through civil court action.
How do I keep my private number plate if my car was scrapped or written off?
If your car has been scrapped or declared a write-off, there are steps you needed to take beforehand, to retain your private number plate. Before your vehicle has met its fate, you should have applied to the DVLA to retain the registration. Failure to do so means you've likely forfeited your rights to the registration mark.
So, if you are contemplating scrapping your vehicle or you are aware it is at risk of being written off, it’s crucial to retain the private registration promptly. This can be done either online or by submitting a V317 form along with a covering letter and a £80.00 cheque payable to the DVLA.
The information given in this article is intended for guidance purposes only. For official information, including anything specific to your case, you can contact DVLA directly by calling 0300 790 6802.
You can also follow the advice given on the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-and-written-off-vehicles/how-to-scrap-vehicle
My car has been stolen, what do I need to do to keep my private plate?
If your vehicle was stolen and it had a personalised registration number assigned to it, you can normally recover it by applying to DVLA to retain the registration mark.
Before you can apply, you must be able to confirm the following:
- You have informed the police about the theft. You can do this by dialling 101 and asking to be put through to your local police department. You will need to have your vehicle details to hand and will be given a Crime Reference Number.
- The theft has been reported to the DVLA. The police should inform the DVLA on your behalf.
- The vehicle must have had a valid MOT and up to date tax at the time of theft.
Your application eligibility all depends on the recovery of your vehicle. If your vehicle has been recovered, and either you or your insurer has decided to sell or dispose of the vehicle, you must apply to retain your private plate number before the vehicle is disposed of. To initiate this process, you will need to submit a V317 form, along with a covering letter detailing the circumstances, and a £80.00 cheque payable to 'DVLA'.
Once the retention process is complete, you will need to send your V5C logbook to your insurance company, and retain the yellow V5C/3 slip for your own records.
If your vehicle has not been recovered and you wish to claim your registration back, it must be on the DVLA's records as stolen for at least 12 months, but no longer than 3 years.
If your application to retain the registration mark is successful, you will receive a V778 Retention Certificate from DVLA for assignment to a vehicle later (the certificate will be valid for 10 years).
You can also follow the advice given on the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/what-to-do-if-your-vehicle-has-been-stolen
Understanding the processes and timelines for various scenarios involving private number plates is crucial. Whether dealing with lost certificates, expired rights, or unfortunate vehicle incidents, following the DVLA's guidelines ensures a smoother resolution. For official and case-specific information, contact the DVLA at 0300 790 6802 or refer to the government website.
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