Transferring a registration mark and how to apply

As the registered keeper of your vehicle, you can apply to transfer the registration number from your vehicle to another vehicle registered in your name, to a vehicle you are buying, or to someone else’s vehicle.

Conditions for transferring a registration number

You can’t transfer a registration number:

starting with ‘QNI’ or ‘Q’
if it will make the vehicle it’s being transferred to look younger

To transfer the registration number, both vehicles must be:

registered at the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA)
available for inspection
of a type that needs an MOT, Light Goods Vehicle (LGV) or Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) test certificate
currently taxed

However, if the vehicle that currently has the registration number is not taxed, you can still apply to transfer provided:

there is no break between the date the tax disc runs out or is refunded and the start of the current Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)
and the tax disc runs out no more than 12 months before the date you apply

Great Britain registered number

You can transfer a Great Britain registration number between vehicles registered at the DVA Northern Ireland (NI) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea. Both vehicles must meet the conditions to transfer a registration number. Contact the DVLA for further information.

DVLA website

How to apply

You will need to:

complete a V317(NI) ‘application to transfer a vehicle registration number’ - if the number is being transferred to someone else’s vehicle, then both registered keepers must complete the application
enclose the £80 transfer fee

Also enclose for both vehicles:

the Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C(NI))
a test certificate - needed for cars and motorcycles over four years old (three years old in GB), light goods vehicles over three years old and heavy goods vehicles over one year old

If either vehicle needs taxing, enclose the following:

a completed V10(NI) ‘application for a tax disc’ or the V11(NI) reminder
a certificate of insurance or valid cover note for the vehicle
the payment of vehicle tax

Take the completed application to your nearest DVA local office, or send to DVA, County Hall, Coleraine BT51 3TA

What are the requirements for participating vehicles?

Forms V317(NI) and V10(NI) are available for download or from a DVA local office.

If you’re registering a vehicle yourself, you’ll need to provide documentation to confirm your identity with your application. If buying a brand new vehicle, you’ll need to provide identity documentation to the dealer.

Personalised reg and number plates

What happens next

The DVA Cherished Transfer Section may need to inspect both vehicles and will contact you to arrange an appointment. If they don’t need to inspect, they’ll approve your application within fifteen working days. On approving your application, the DVA local office will send you:

a confirmation letter to tell you the replacement registration number
new tax discs for both vehicles showing the new and replacement registration numbers
an authorisation letter (V948) to get your number plates made up
a replacement MOT test certificate for cars and motorcycles over four years old

Allow at least fifteen days after sending your application before contacting DVA Vehicle Enquiry Section,if you don’t receive these documents. DVA will send new registration certificates for both vehicles showing the new and replacement registration numbers. These should arrive within four weeks of the confirmation letter.

You must not sell or get rid of your vehicle until you receive a new registration certificate, as the new keeper will be entitled to keep the registration number if they want to.

As the registered keeper you are responsible for informing your insurance provider of your new registration number.