Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains answers to some of the most popular questions that we have been asked over the years.

1. Can a number, which includes a year letter, be transferred to any vehicle?
2. Why do some numbers have VAT added and not others?
3. What is a retention document?
4. How much are the Department of Transport transfer fees?
5. How can the same number be offered for sale by different companies?
6. How long do transfers take?
7. Can numbers be transferred between cars and motor cycles?
8. Can cherished numbers be transferred to a "Q" registered vehicle?
   
   
9. Terms & Conditions
   
   
10. The MIRAD Guide to Buying and Selling Personalised Number Plates
    

1. Can a number, which includes a year letter, be transferred to any vehicle?

No, you cannot transfer a number with a year letter to a vehicle which was registered before the date relating to the year letter. In short, you can make a car look older, but not appear newer. eg. You can not put a J onto a G car.

2. Why do some numbers have VAT added and not others?

VAT registered dealers have to charge VAT on the full sale price of the numbers which hey own. If they are selling the number on behalf of a non VAT registered client they only have to account for VAT on their commission.

3. What is a retention document?

A number can be transferred from a vehicle onto a retention document at a cost of £105 (£80 of this is the advance payment for when the number is assigned to a vehicle) The keeper of the donor vehicle will be shown as the grantee and a nominee name may be added. The number may be assigned to a vehicle in either of these names. Certificates are valid for 12 months, but can be extended for a further 12 months at a cost of £25. Only the grantee has the right to renew a certificate or change the nominee. Title passes to the nominee when the number is assigned to their vehicle.

4. How much are the Department of Transport transfer fees?

£25 - change/add nominee name or extend certificate £80 - transfer of registration from vehicle to vehicle £105 - transfer of registration from certificate to vehicle £105 - retain registration number from a vehicle

5. How can the same number be offered for sale by different companies?

This is not unusual, and there could be a number of reasons including other dealers allowing them to advertise their numbers or a private seller asking several dealers to market the number on their behalf.

6. How long do transfers take?

Anything from 3-4 days to 2-3 weeks depending on which type of registration is in question.

7. Can numbers be transferred between cars and motor cycles?

Yes, a number can be transferred from any car to motorbike and vice versa.

8. Can cherished numbers be transferred to a "Q" registered vehicle?

No, Q plates are issued when the origin or age of a vehicle is uncertain.