Skip to content Accesskeys Newsroom

Buying a DVA personalised registration

DVA offers for sale previously un-issued registration numbers through auction, tender and direct sales. Whether you want a personalised registration for yourself or as a gift for someone else, checking what’s available and buying one is quick and easy.

Registration number auctions

The more attractive registrations are sold at public auctions, which are held 3 - 4 times a year. The numbers are widely advertised and an auction catalogue can be purchased from the agent for £7.00. Other marks are advertised in the local press for tender auctions, which are held 3 - 4 times a year; bids are accepted by post, fax or e-mail.

Further information on DVA Sale of Marks by auction, tender or direct sales can be obtained from the agent, Wilson's Auctions or you can contact DVLA, Swansea for information on how to buy a personalised registration number from the Agency.

Please note: if you purchase a registration mark from DVLA it must first be assigned to a vehicle registered in Great Britain and can't be directly assigned to a Northern Ireland (NI) registered vehicle.

Wilson's Auctions
22 Mallusk Road
Newtownabbey
BT36 8PP
Telephone:(028) 9084 4388

What you get for your money

You only buy the right to have a particular registration number assigned (put on) to and displayed on a vehicle registered in your name, or in the name of another person (the nominee). All registration numbers are owned by the Secretary of State.

DVA Registration marks can only be assigned to vehicles registered in Northern Ireland.

You’ll get a certificate of entitlement V750(NI), which includes details of:

  • the registration number
  • the purchaser and nominee
  • the date when the right to assign the registration number will end

You can extend the right for a further one, two or three years. The fee to extend is £25 for one year, £50 for two years or £75 for three years.

The nominee has no right to the registration number until it's assigned to their vehicle. You can add a nominee (if you don’t have one) or change the nominee at any time, or at the same time as the registration number is assigned for a fee of £25.

After the personalised registration has been assigned

The rights to transfer the registration number pass to the registered keeper of the vehicle displaying the registration number.

More Useful Links