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Transferring or assigning a personalised number when registering a vehicle

If you are registering a vehicle using form V55/4 or V55/5 and want to transfer or assign your personalised registration at the same time, you will need to produce documentation confirming both your name and address details.

Name and address checks are required on all V55/4 and V55/5 applications which are associated with:

  • cherished transfer application (V317)
  • assignment application from a retention document (V778)
  • assignment application from a certificate of entitlement (V750)
  • retention application (V778/1)
  • this includes vehicles from Northern Ireland which are registered using forms V55/4 and V55/5

Name and address checks do not apply where the transfer or assignment application is supported by a V5 registration document or V5C registration certificate.

Motor dealers who hold a full trade plate licence can carry out the name and address checks on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by completing form V959. This should then be sent along with the transfer or assignment application, and the other documents required to license and register a vehicle, to a DVLA local office.

Motor dealers who do not hold a full trade plate licence must send all the relevant documents confirming the applicants name and address to a DVLA local office for checking, along with the transfer or assignment, V55/4 or V55/5 and the other documents required to tax and register the vehicle. In all cases, DVLA local offices will return the identity documents direct to you.

Applications which do not include the relevant documents will not be processed and will be rejected back to you by the DVLA local office.

Documents required

In order to license and register your vehicle using a V317, V778, V778/1 or V750 you must provide, along with your application, either your DVLA photocard driving licence or one original document from each of the lists below. Copies are unacceptable.

Documentation confirming your name

  • current DVLA paper driving licence
  • United Kingdom or European Union or foreign passport
  • marriage certificate
  • decree nisi or absolute
  • birth certificate

Documentation confirming your address

  • utility bill - gas, electricity, water, telephone landline - within the last three months and showing the current address
  • bank or building society statement - within the last three months and showing the current address
  • medical card
  • council tax bill for current year

Corporate or fleet company applications

Applicants will have to provide two documents from the following list, one of which must show the current address:

The only evidence acceptable on its own will be a trade plate licence issued by DVLA (or trade licence number).

  • companies house registration certificate (embossed)
  • VAT registration certificate
  • company utility bill - within the last three months and showing current address
  • company council tax bill
  • bank or building society statement - within the last three months and showing current address
  • certificate of company insurance
  • letter from Inland Revenue showing company details and tax reference number
  • company mortgage statement
  • property leasing agreement
  • solicitor's letter regarding conveyance of property
  • consumer credit licence

Postal applications

Postal applications can be made by sending the completed cherished transfer or assignment and V55/4 or V55/5 application forms to your DVLA local office ensuring you include your document/s confirming your name and address, documents required to tax and register your vehicle eg insurance certificate, MOT certificate, appropriate payment for the vehicle tax disc.

Returning your identity documents

In most cases your documentation will be returned with your vehicle tax disc. If you would like DVLA to return your documents by special delivery, please provide a prepaid name and address, self-addressed, special-delivery envelope. DVLA cannot guarantee to return your documents by a specific date or event (for example, a holiday).

Non receipt of identity documents

Unless you contact DVLA within three months of the date you sent your application, DVLA will not be able to carry out the necessary follow-up investigation both at DVLA local office and with royal mail. DVLA will not be liable to any claim after the three-month period.

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