How to put private registration plates on a lease car

With more than 45 million private number plates on UK roads in 2022, it's no surprise that drivers are investing in private registration plates for their vehicles more than ever before. 

But can you put a private registration plate on a leased car even though you aren't the legal owner and keeper of the vehicle? 

To help explain the process involved in adding a private registration plate onto a leased vehicle, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has put together a comprehensive guide, which includes:

A private registration plate, also known as a cherished plate or personalised plate, is a unique vehicle registration number chosen by the driver. When you buy a personalised number, you're purchasing the right to assign the number to a vehicle.

Private plates have been on sale in the UK since 1989. Following customer demand to personalise their vehicle, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) started to hold back certain combinations of registration numbers to sell to private individuals. Since then, private registration plates have become incredibly popular with celebrities and private individuals alike.

Below we have listed the pros and cons of having a private number plate:

Vehicle registrations in the UK must follow one of four formats shown below:

Current

As the term implies, "current" refers to the current registration style for new cars. It consists of two letters indicating the area where it was registered, two digits showing the car's age, and then three letters chosen at random. The seven characters in this design have been used since 2001.

Example:

Prefix

This type of plate was used in the UK from 1983 to 2001. It's called prefix because the first letter specifies the vehicle's age. For instance, in August 1989, a prefix plate with the letter "G" was registered.

Example:

Suffix

This style of plate was issued in the UK between 1963 and 1983. It begins with the letter "A" and concludes with an age-related letter. So, for example, If the plate ends in 'B', you'll know it's from 1964.

Example:

Dateless

Before 1963, dateless-style plates were in use. The fact that the vehicle's age cannot be determined makes them so desirable. Any combination of up to four digits and three letters may be used.

Example:

You can put practically anything on your personalised number plate. You only need to adhere to a few fundamental rules:

• Your number plate must be unique. You will need to find an alternative if someone else has already taken the number you wanted, or you can buy it from the current owner.
• You cannot use a "Q" within a registration, and the letter "I" will only be featured in an Irish-style number plate.
• Your registration cannot be offensive or misleading.
• The plate can't make the vehicle appear younger than it is, for example, putting a 22 registration on a car manufactured in 2014.

There are many different reasons a driver might purchase a private registration plate. Many choose to buy a plate for sentimental reasons, while others regard it as a statement of individuality or an investment.

To get a private registration plate, you need to:

• Buy a personalised number
• Assign the registration number to your vehicle
• Get your personalised number plates made up

Buying online

The DVLA has over 45 million registrations available to buy online, so the chances of you finding your ideal number plate online are high. Check them out here: DVLA Personalised Registrations.

Registration number auctions

The DVLA also auctions some exclusive registration numbers. Auctions are generally held about six times a year, and reserve prices start from £130. You can see a list of the numbers coming up for auction online, and you can bid in person, by phone, in writing or online.

Buying from a private number dealer or private sale

You can also buy a personalised registration number from a dealer or a motorist in a private sale.

Once you have purchased your private registration, you will receive a Certificate of Entitlement (V750) through the post. This is your proof of entitlement and the application form you must use to assign the registration number to a vehicle.

It is worth noting that the Certificate of Entitlement (V750) has an expiry date, so check the date. You have until the expiry date shown on your certificate to have the number assigned to a vehicle.

Once you have purchased your private registration plate, you will need to arrange for the new plates to be made by a registered number plate supplier who will ensure the plates are made to the correct legal standard.

The supplier will need to see original documents that:

• Prove your name and address (such as a driving licence, utility bill or bank/building society statement from the last six months)
• Show you're allowed to use the registration number (such as vehicle registration certificate (V5C or V5CNI), certificate of entitlement (V750 or V750NI) or a letter of authorisation from the lease or hire company quoting the document reference number from the registration certificate).

Standard number plate prices usually start from around £15.99 each but can vary in price depending on the style, bordering and lettering options. Please be aware that as the lease driver, it is your responsibility to pay for and to ensure the number plates are changed to reflect the change of registration.

There should be no problem with adding a private registration plate to your leased vehicle. However, as the finance provider is the registered owner and keeper of the car (this is the case for most lease contracts), you will need to arrange this directly with them.

If your current lease vehicle is with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, please be aware that we cannot arrange for the private registration plate to be added to your car before delivery as this can delay the delivery process. Therefore we advise that you arrange this direct with the finance company after you have taken delivery of the vehicle. 

If you have already taken delivery of your vehicle you will need to start by arranging for the finance provider to be named as a Nominee on the Certificate of Entitlement (V750). You can add or change a Nominee to the certificate online or by post. Further details on how to do this is stated in section C on the reverse of the Certificate of Entitlement (V750).

Once you're ready to proceed, you will need to send the following documents in the post, along with a short covering letter, direct to the finance provider:

• Certificate of Entitlement (V750) (with the finance company named as the nominee or Grantee)
• The administration fee (this varies from funder to funder but is usually around £35 plus VAT)

Once the finance provider has received your documentation, a letter of acknowledgement will be sent to you confirming receipt. The finance company will also contact you at this stage to arrange to pay the administration fee. The documents will then be sent to the DVLA to process the transfer.

Once the DVLA has assigned the registration number to the vehicle and the appropriate documentation has been sent back, the documents will be forwarded to you by Special Delivery to enable for the vehicle number plates to be updated. You must not display the private registration number on a vehicle until you have received confirmation from the funder and DVLA. 

At least six weeks prior to the end of your lease contract, you must arrange for the private registration plate to be removed from the vehicle. Once again, you must arrange this directly with the finance provider as Nationwide Vehicle Contracts cannot do this on your behalf.

To do this, you will need to send the following documents in the post, along with a covering letter, direct to the finance provider:

• A cheque for £105 made payable to the DVLA
• A covering letter confirming the nominee details (usually keeper of the new vehicle on order - if unknown, then detail owner of the plate)
• The administration fee (this varies from funder to funder but is usually around £35 plus VAT)

Once the documents have been received, a letter of acknowledgement will be sent to you confirming receipt. If any documents are missing, a letter will be sent requesting further documentation along with a pre-paid envelope and confirmation of timescales. The finance company will also contact you at this stage to arrange to pay the administration fee.

Once the DVLA has assigned the registration number to the vehicle and the appropriate documentation has been sent back, the documents will be forwarded to you by Special Delivery to enable for the vehicle number plates to be updated. If the vehicle is at the end of the contract, the plate must be transferred before collection can be arranged.

Please note that the DVLA usually sends the retention certificate out approximately two weeks after the transfer has been completed, which will be sent separately to you.

Still have a question regarding adding a private registration plate to your vehicle? Call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0345 811 9595 to speak to one of our experienced car leasing consultants.