What happens to a personalised number plate when you scrap a car?
You can keep your number plate when scrapping your car
The rules around keeping a personalised number plate are simple: you can keep your plate when you scrap your car, but there are some conditions attached.
First, you must keep the vehicle’s logbook (V5C certificate) and submit an application to the DVLA that you want to retain your number plate. Next, you should complete the V317 form, submit the registration certificate and pay an £80 fee. It’s possible that the DVLA will want to inspect the vehicle as part of the application, so just bear this in mind.
You have two options when applying for a retention certificate. You can choose to keep the vehicle registration number and put it directly on another vehicle. Alternatively, you can just apply to keep the number without putting it on another vehicle. Remember that you will have to make sure to do this before the car is brought for scrap as it’s not an automatic process.
If you choose the latter, remember that you have to renew your right to use the number every 10 years.
Rules around personalised number plates
In order to apply to retail your personalised number plate, your vehicle must be already registered with the DVLA and be able to move independently. It should have been taxed or had a SORN in place for the last 5 consecutive years.
The DVLA is responsible for ensuring that all road users follow the laws set out on number plates. The reason that there isn’t a wide variety of number plate types is that the DVLA has exact rules on what can and cannot be seen on a plate (down to even the type of font that must be used).
Did you know that you have the option to sell on your personalised number plate at auction when scrapping your car? The auctions are overseen by the DVLA and are held around 5 times per year. If you’ve decided to scrap your car and you’d like to make some extra cash by selling on your old number plate, then that could be an option for you.
