A private plate as a gift
A private plate is one of the few gifts that is genuinely unique: there is only ever one of each.
Buying one as a gift follows the same checkout as any other purchase. Who the V750 Certificate of Entitlement is issued to, gift wrapping on any number plates you order, and plain unbranded packaging are all chosen there, each shown with its price before you order.
Type the registration mark above. If we already hold it you will see it straight away.
Do they need a car?
No. A private plate on a V750 certificate is held in a person’s name rather than on a vehicle, so it can sit there until they have something to put it on. They assign it whenever they like, as long as it is renewed before the certificate expires.
Whose name it goes in
Name the recipient at the checkout and the certificate is issued to them. Keep it in your own name instead and you can hand it over on the day, then arrange the transfer afterwards.
Ideas that mean something
Their initials are the most popular choice and suit almost any car. A couple can share one registration carrying both sets of initials, and a number can stand for a birthday, an anniversary or a year that matters. Our guide to private plates with your initials shows where initials sit in each style, and private plates by initials lists the most popular sets.
What it costs
Private plates start at £174.80, and that is the full price: it includes VAT and the £80.00 DVLA assignment fee, delivery of the certificate is free, and nothing is added at the checkout. Our guide to cheap private plates explains how to keep the price down.
If they already have a vehicle in mind
A registration mark can never make a vehicle look newer than it is, so a prefix or current-style private plate will only go on a car old enough to wear it. A Northern Irish private plate carries no year at all and fits a vehicle of any age.
Keeping the surprise
Ask for plain, unbranded packaging and nothing on the outside gives it away. Gift wrapping can be added to any number plates you order, and every option is priced before you order.
Questions
Can I buy a private plate for somebody else?
Yes. Name them at the checkout and the V750 Certificate of Entitlement is issued to them, or keep it in your own name and arrange the transfer after you hand it over.
Does the person need a car to receive one?
No. The private plate is held on the certificate in their name until they have a vehicle to assign it to, as long as the certificate is renewed before it expires.
Which private plate fits any car?
A Northern Irish private plate carries no year, so it fits a vehicle of any age. Prefix and current-style registrations can only go on a vehicle first registered on or after the date their year letter or age identifier was issued.
Can the packaging hide what it is?
Yes. Plain, unbranded packaging and gift wrapping on any number plates you order are chosen at the checkout, each priced before you order.
How buying works sets out what happens after you order, delivery explains what arrives and in what packaging, age restrictions covers which private plates their vehicle is old enough to wear, common questions answers the rest, and styles of registration mark helps you choose one that will fit their car.
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