V317: Everything you need to know

What is a V317 form?

The V317 is an official DVLA application form used to transfer or retain personalised number plates. Submitting this form with the required payment is the only way to ensure that your private plate remains legally yours when you stop using your current car.

The form comprises two parts: Option A and Option B.

• Option A is for when you want to transfer the registration of your current vehicle straight onto another one.
• Option B is for when you want to retain your personalised plate to use at some point in the future.

You can download the V317 form on the DVLA website, then print it out to complete. You’ll need to submit your V5C logbook with the form. Make sure it’s correctly filled out if you have changed address and/or the registered keeper has changed.

If your current V5C logbook is lost or damaged, you’ll need to apply for a new one via the DVLA website.

How to complete the V317 form

There are certain conditions that you need to meet before you can go ahead with transferring and/or retaining your private plate:

All vehicles involved in the transfer must be:

• Registered with the DVLA.
• Taxed or subject to a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
• Able to move on their own.
• Subject to an MOT or GVT.
• Available for inspection.

You must be the registered keeper of the vehicle you’re taking the plate off – and you can’t use a plate that could make the receiving vehicle appear newer than it is. For example, you wouldn’t be able to use ‘AD24 AMA’ on a car first registered in 2017.

If you meet the criteria above, you’re ready to start filling in the V317.

Transferring a plate onto another vehicle

If you want to transfer your registration plate to another vehicle, put an X in the box next to Option A, then fill in sections 1 to 5 with the following information:

• Key details for your current car (personalised plate number, make, model, and VIN number).
• Your contact details.
• Key details for the vehicle you’re transferring to (current registration number, make, model, and VIN number).
• Two checklists: one for each vehicle.

You may notice the terms ‘donor vehicle’ and ‘receiving vehicle’ in the guidance related to transferring private plates, even though they’re not used on the V317 itself. Here’s a quick explainer for these terms:

• ‘Donor vehicle’ means the vehicle you’re taking the plate off, which the V317 calls “the vehicle you are taking the registration number off”.
• ‘Receiving vehicle’ means the vehicle you’re transferring it to, which the V317 calls “the vehicle you are putting it onto”.

Retaining a personalised plate

If you’re applying to retain your personalised plate, stick an X in the box next to Option B, then fill in sections 1 to 4 with the following details:

• Details of your current vehicle (personalised plate number, make, model, and VIN number).
• A checklist for this vehicle.
• Your contact details.
• The name and contact details of the person on the retention certificate.

You also have the option to put in a nominee’s details, if you want to transfer the retained registration to them in the future.

Send the completed form, with your V5C logbook, and a cheque, banker’s draft, or postal order for £80 made payable to ‘DVLA Swansea’ to:

DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DS.

Transferring your number plate: Online vs post

You also have the option to transfer your personalised plate online. Here is the process to follow:

Go to the DVLA’s ’Take a private number off a vehicle’ page. You’ll be asked to provide the following information:

• The registration number you want to take off your current vehicle.
• The V5C registration certificate document reference number.
• The postcode of the registered keeper (as stated in the V5C) and whether that’s you. (You should confirm that it is.)

Once you’ve entered these details, arrange to pay the £80 removal fee. You’ll then be given a reference number. Make a note of this because you’ll need it for the next part.

Go to the DVLA’s ’Assign a private number to a vehicle’ webpage. You’ll need to provide the following information:

• The reference number you received when taking the plate off the original vehicle.
• The reference numbers from the V778 certificate of entitlement and the V5C logbook.
• The private plate you want to add to the receiving vehicle and its current registration.
• The postcode of the registered keeper.

Make sure you select ‘Yes’ when asked, “Are you the grantee or purchaser of this registration number?” Once you’ve filled in all the details, including your reference number, click ‘Submit’.

Transferring online has several benefits:

• It’s quick and easy to fill in the online form.
• You’ll get instant confirmation of the transfer.
• Your new V5C logbook should arrive within 3-5 days.
• You also avoid the risk of an inspection, as the system is designed to automatically check MOT and tax.
• It’s also more secure, not only for payment, but also because you don’t have to send off any important documents like the V5C.

Sending in the V317 by post, on the other hand, takes much longer. You may have to wait up to 4 weeks for your new V5C to arrive. The delay could be even longer if an inspection is required. Therefore, if you’re keen to show off your personalised plates as soon as possible, it pays to get the transfer done online.

What happens after you submit the V317 form?

If you applied online and no inspections are required, you can attach your private plate to the receiving car almost immediately. However, if you applied by post, you’ll need to wait for the updated V5C logbook to arrive.

When the transfer is complete, the DVLA will also reassign the original registration number to the car from which you removed the private plate. You should reattach the original plates to this vehicle.

Here are a few other things you’ll need to do:

• Double-check that all the details in your new V5C logbook are correct.
• Contact your insurance provider to tell them your new reg number(s).
• Update your reg number(s) for any car-related payment accounts you may have, such as the Congestion Charge or Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

If you’ve chosen to retain your personalised number plate, you’ll be sent a V778 retention document, either via email (as a download), or by post, depending on how you applied.

A V778 is valid for ten years. During this time, you have the right to transfer the plate onto another vehicle. If you want to extend your V778’s cover by another 10 years, you must fill out the form and send it to the DVLA.

There is no renewal fee - and the deadline is 28 days before the certificate expires. However, if you miss this deadline, you will lose the right to use your private number plate.