Ordering your number plate from DVLA

Buying personalised number plates from the DVLA is as quick, easy and secure as it gets.

I feel compelled to state this as I remember from buying my first number plate that there are a lot of people out there who would have you believe that this simple process is more difficult than it really is, for obvious reasons. To start with, every piece of information you're ever going to need to know about buying personalised number plates is available on the DVLA website on the 'Got a Question' page.

<< Click this button on dvlaregistrations.co.uk for answers to all your questions

Next up is the actual purchasing of your chosen number plate. This may seem daunting but it's really nothing to worry about. The easiest way is to call the DVLA sales team, that way if you run into anything you're not sure about the sales person can advise you there and then. The phone number and details of opening hours are in the box below.

If you'd prefer to do your purchase number plates online then you'll need to open an account with the DVLA. The boxes below are a step by step demonstration of this procedure and the purchasing of your number plate.

Once you've clicked the button you'll be taken to the first Purchase page;

Click the button on this page and your chosen number plate will be removed from the DVLA sales pages for 11 minutes while you complete your transaction. (Don't worry if the transaction 'Times Out'. This is just a precaution to ensure that your credit card details are secure.) You'll then be taken to the 'Welcome' page.

You'll need to create an account to buy your number plate online so click to move to the next page. Here you'll be asked to fill in your details in the usual way.

Once you've completed the form click to move on to the 'Payment Card Details' page.

Fill in your credit card details and click

Pop in your house name or number and post code then click

Confirm your address

Now you've successfully created your account, click to move on to your purchase.

On the second 'Purchase' page you'll be ask to enter the details of a 'Nominee'. Number plates can only be assigned to a vehicle that's in either the name of the purchaser or the nominated owner of the number plate. So if you're buying number plates as gifts it's better to put them down as nominee, now. (It can be changed later but the DVLA charge £25 for this). For DVLA details about this, click here. Once your happy with the nominee page, click

On the 'Terms and Conditions' page, tick 'I Accept' then again.

Make sure all your details are correct on the 'Purchase Summary' page then click again.

To confirm your address hit

The credit card details shown on the 'Select a Payment Card' page will be the ones you put in earlier. Add the last 3 digits of the security code on the back of your card in the box provided and hit if you're happy to proceed. (If you want to use a different card tick the dot to add new details).

After your card has finished being processed you may run into the 'Purchase Timed Out' page. As mentioned on the first page, this is just a precaution for your protection. You will have to restart the sales procedure again but now that you have an account it's just a matter of signing in and you should find that your computer will have all the non security sensitive information stored in the cache so second time round it's a doddle.

Assuming your payment was authorised, congratulations! You've just bought your personalised number plate!

Now for the hard part.... You have to wait for the V750 certificate of entitlement to be delivered before you can get your number plates made up......... Ho hum... Click here to view a specimen of what you will receive in the post.

BEFORE YOU FIT THE NEW NUMBER PLATES ON YOUR CAR YOU MUST ASSIGN THE REGISTRATION TO THE VEHICLE.....! Very important, this bit.

If you don't then the registration isn't legal and you could end up with a fine and points on your licence.

To assign the registration you must fill out the appropriate parts of the V750 certificate and then send it or take it in person with the required documents to your nearest DVLA Local Office.

To find your nearest DVLA Local Office you can call the phone service on 0870 243 0444 or click here below to be linked to the DVLA map.

The parts of the certificate to be filled in will depend upon your particular circumstances. A break down of these circumstances as seen on the back of the V750 certificate is listed below. Click here to read this part of the DVLA FAQ

Read below if your recipient vehicle is brand new (previously unregistered). Click here to be linked to this DVLA FAQ.

Read here if you want to put your new number plates on a previously registered vehicle.

This part explains what happens once you've sent your V750 certificate. Click here to be linked to this DVLA FAQ.

Read here if you decide you want to put the number plates on someone else's vehicle. Click here to be linked to this DVLA FAQ.

When you purchase a registration mark you may decide not to put it on a vehicle straight away. The V750 certificate that you are sent is valid for one year only. After that you must apply to 'Extend your entitlement period'. It's not a problem, though. It costs just £25 per year and you will be sent a reminder nearer to the renewal date just as you are with your road tax. Click here to be linked to this DVLA FAQ.

If you forget to renew or are late in doing so Click Here! to find out what to do next!

If you're moving house, read this or click here to be linked to this DVLA FAQ.

People do decide to let number plates go for lots of different reasons. (Usually, now, cos they find a better one on Regfinder: ) If you have decided not to renew your entitlement to a registration the DVLA will not reimburse you what you paid for it but they will reimburse you the assignment fee which was included in the purchase price. Click here to be linked to this DVLA FAQ. Once you've assigned your number plate you are ready to fit them to your vehicle.

Once you've assigned your number plates you are ready to fit them to your vehicle.

Click Here to learn about ordering and fitting your number plates to your vehicle.