{"id":1668,"date":"2025-06-02T09:58:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T09:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webuyscrapcarsandvans.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1668"},"modified":"2025-09-25T06:48:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T06:48:04","slug":"what-to-do-with-license-plates-after-selling-a-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webuyscrapcarsandvans.co.uk\/blog\/what-to-do-with-license-plates-after-selling-a-car\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do With License Plates After Selling a Car"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

It’s always a good idea to review the steps we take when selling our used cars, but one mistake many people tend to make is to ignore what happens to the vehicle\u2019s license plates. Regardless of whether you sold it to a scrap yard, a private owner, or a dealership, you have to ensure your plates are dealt with to protect yourself and limit legal repercussions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Once The Sale Is Finalised, Remove The Plates<\/strong><\/h2>

Don\u2019t forget to take off the license plates before handing the car over to the new owner. Doing this, especially early on, is vital if selling to dismantlers. In any case, these plates are identified by you, and by getting rid of them, odds are you will no longer be liable for anything.<\/p>

Contact The DVLA<\/strong><\/h2>

In other cases, the car scrapping has to be done through \u2018scrap my car\u2019, which will necessitate notifying. Yes, you have to inform the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) about the sale happening, and in case they ask about the plates, tell them whatever they ask for.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Transfer the Plates or Reuse Them<\/strong><\/h3>

Should you want to keep a private registration number for a different vehicle, you will have to take the following steps:<\/p>

Request from the DVLA to keep your number plate.<\/p>

You will be given a retention certificate (V778).<\/p>

You can designate it on a newer vehicle when you are well prepared.<\/p>

This is a typical procedure for automotive aficionados or companies dealing with used cars.<\/p>

Destroy or Recycle Old Plates<\/strong><\/h3>

When you are done with the old plates, the best course of action is to properly dispose of them. Do not throw them in the dumpster\u2013 use a local scrap yard or metal recycling center. This is one of the smarter moves that vehicle scrappers and auto dismantlers can appreciate.<\/p>

Final Tip: Inform Your Insurer<\/strong><\/h3>

Notify your insurance company that you have sold the vehicle and removed the plates from it so that you do not incur any unneeded expenses.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

FAQs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShould I take the plates off before scrapping my car?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, you should always take the plates off and remove them before sending your car off to a scrap yard, auto salvage service, or a mechanic.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan I transfer my plates onto a new car?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, you can transfer them through the DVLA if it’s a private plate along with a retention certificate.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat if I forgot to take the plates off?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Notify the seller or scrap dealer right away and also inform the DVLA so you aren’t liable.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t