Transferring number plate

[bombur]

OK so my grandson is soon to take his test and we will be getting him a run around if and when he passes. Ive acquired a private plate, however it isn't proving as simple as I thought it would.
The plate is currently on retention by the person Ive bought it off. I understand you cant transfer a plate from retention from one person to another and it has to go on a car. I originally thought I would stick it on my Z3 (currently no MOT and on SORN since May 24) until I was told the car MUST have an MOT. All I want to do really is stick it on and then take it off so retention is in my own name. I could stick it on our dailies but that would be a faff as would actually have to get the plates, change insurance, work parking etc.

Does anyone know the EXACT rule in realtuin to vehicles on SORN/no MOT?

ON DVLA website is states:

The vehicle must:

• be registered with DVLA in the UK
• be able to move under its own power
• be of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate
• be available for inspection - DVLA will contact you if they need to inspect your vehicle
• have been taxed or had a SORN in place continuously for the past 5 years
• be taxed currently or have a SORN in place - if it’s had a SORN in place for more than 5 years, it must be taxed and have an MOT certificate

If you have a historic (classic) vehicle you’ll also need a current MOT certificate, even if your vehicle is usually exempt from MOTs.

Its a bit conflicting as seems to say it just needs to be a vehicle of the type that requires an MOT (doesnt say NEEDS an MOT). Then it seems to say only if it has been on SORN for more than 5 years does it NEED an MOT. Also if it is a classic car (proper) then it NEEDS an MOT (even though a classic car doesn't normally require this).

I spoke with someone in DVLA and they said its a very grey area. Think it will be down to a computer. I don't want to risk being able to put it on (if its possible) and not being able to take it off.

Anyone done anything similar?

My preference is sticking it on the Z3 for now, second option is keeping the retention doc (in other name) with a contract of sorts saying its mine, and keeping it until needed. Third is sticking it on a daily then taking it off...will take a few weeks and be disruptive

 

[bombur]

Having pondered it over night and since posting this ( writing it helped me make my mind up)I have decided to ask for it to be put on my daily and I will take from there. Too many other risks

 

[Duncodin]

About a year ago I bought a number from swiftreg or one of those type companies. The plate must have been on retention with the person tbey were selling it for. I didn't want it on my car yet but the quickest thing was to let swiftreg put it on my z3. With the retention certificate they could go to dvla website and put the number on my car instantly. Couple days later I received the new v5 and immediately went online to dvla to put the number back on retention. Couple days later I got another new v5 with the old reg number. So, basically, I didn't need to have number plates made.

 

[Dxbolton]

The person selling the numberplate will hold the retention certificate. There is a section on there to add a Grantee, which should be in the same name as the logbook that you intend to place the numberplate onto, ie your name or your son’s name. Each time you transfer the plate you will be charged £80 therefore it’s better just to have your name added as Grantee whilst you hold the certificate and wait until you have the car. You want to put the plate onto.

 

[Duncodin]

The 80 fee is paid when the number is put ON to retention.

Moving it from retention on to a car doesn't cost anything. I've just done it this week.

But as dxbolton said. There is a box on the retention certificate where the certificate can be 'granted' to another person. But, when I bought the number it was just quicker to put it on a car and take it off again rather than transferring grantee. Costs 80 but I just felt happier with it in my name.

 

[bombur]

Thanks for the replies