New van registrations rise for sixth month in a row

8 Oct. 2026 · Steven Jackson OBE, Founder, New Reg Limited

New light commercial vehicle registrations rose by 4.8% in September, according to a trade report, extending a run of monthly growth to six months and pointing to renewed confidence among businesses that rely on working vehicles.

For anyone who carries a personalised registration on a van or light commercial, a strengthening market is relevant context. When operators feel more confident investing in new vehicles, the question of what happens to a cherished plate on the outgoing vehicle becomes more pressing. A private registration does not transfer automatically when a vehicle is replaced; the owner must act to retain it before the old vehicle is taxed off the road or sold on.

The figures cover light commercial vehicles broadly, so the improvement is not limited to a single segment or size class. The trade report describes the sector as vital to Britain's economy, and six months of unbroken growth suggests the upturn is not a one-off.

Owners thinking about changing their van should check the current DVLA retention and transfer rules before committing to a sale or part-exchange. Missing the window to retain a mark can mean losing it permanently, so acting early is sensible whenever a vehicle change is on the horizon.

New van registrations rise for sixth month in a row

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