Frequently Asked Questions

How the DVLA transfer works, what a nominee is, and how long buyers and sellers should expect the process to take.

Who actually handles the DVLA transfer?

DVLA is the government body that legally moves the registration number from one keeper or certificate to another. AuctionMyPlate acts as the paperwork middle-man: we collect the buyer's and seller's documents, prepare the DVLA application, submit it, and confirm to both parties when the transfer is complete.

You should think of it like this: DVLA make the legal change; AuctionMyPlate manages the process and keeps everyone updated.

Plates on a DVLA certificate – grantee and nominee explained

Many cherished registrations are held on a DVLA certificate:

  • V750 Certificate of Entitlement – a plate that's never been on a vehicle; or
  • V778 Retention Document – a plate that has been removed from a vehicle and is being kept "on retention".

On these certificates you will usually see two names:

  • Grantee / Purchaser – the person who currently owns the right to the registration.
  • Nominee – the person whose vehicle the number can be assigned to if it is not going onto the grantee's own car.

Only the grantee can instruct DVLA to assign the number to a vehicle. The nominee does not own the registration and has no rights over it until DVLA has actually assigned the number to a vehicle registered in their name. Once DVLA completes the assignment, the rights to that registration pass to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Do I have to be named as the nominee before I buy a plate?

No. You do not need to be named as the nominee on the certificate before you buy a plate through AuctionMyPlate.

DVLA allow the grantee to add or change a nominee up until, or at the same time as, the registration is assigned to a vehicle. In plain English: we can update the details when we know who you are and which car the plate is going onto.

When you buy a plate that is held on a certificate:

  1. The seller (or AuctionMyPlate, if we hold the certificate) acts as the grantee.
  2. We collect your full legal name and the details of the vehicle you want the plate on (from your V5C log book).
  3. As part of the DVLA process we either update the nominee details into your name and/or assign the registration straight to your vehicle using DVLA's official online service.

You usually never need to deal with DVLA directly to change a nominee – we handle it as part of completing the transfer.

Buyer timeline – how long does the transfer take?

Timescales depend on how DVLA process the application. AuctionMyPlate submits your transfer promptly once payment has cleared and you have provided the documents we ask for. DVLA's own processing times are outside our control, so the timings below are a realistic guide.

Standard / online cases

  • Once we have everything we need, we normally submit the DVLA transfer within 1–2 working days.
  • Where DVLA can process the assignment online and no inspection is needed, the plate is usually assigned on their system the same day.
  • In practice, most buyers can be fully assigned and ready to fit plates within about 1–14 days from payment, as long as documents are supplied quickly.

Postal / complex cases

  • If DVLA require a postal application or extra checks (for example vehicle-to-vehicle transfer or missing paperwork), they typically take around 2–4 weeks to complete the transfer once they receive everything.
  • DVLA then post out updated documents such as your new V5C log book. They advise allowing up to 4 weeks for documents to arrive.
  • As a sensible worst-case, buyers should assume the entire process from payment to final paperwork can take up to 6 weeks, although in many cases it is much quicker.

When should I order and fit my physical plates?

You must never display a registration on a vehicle until DVLA has assigned it to that vehicle. Doing so can result in fines and the registration being withdrawn.

Our guidance is:

  • Wait until AuctionMyPlate confirms the DVLA assignment is complete. We will email you clearly when the plate is now on your vehicle.
  • As soon as we send that confirmation, you can obtain physical plates immediately from a DVLA-registered supplier, using either your updated V5C or the confirmation we provide.
  • Fit the plates and update your insurance and any toll / charging accounts without delay so all records match the new registration.

Seller timeline – when do I get paid?

For security and to protect buyers and sellers, AuctionMyPlate only releases sale proceeds once the DVLA transfer is complete and the registration has safely left your control.

Typical seller journey

  1. Your plate sells and the buyer's payment clears via Stripe.
  2. We request the documents we need from you (for example V750, V778 or your V5C) and from the buyer.
  3. Once we have everything, we submit the DVLA transfer, usually within 1–2 working days.
  4. DVLA complete the transfer. Online cases can be same-day; postal / complex cases typically take 2–4 weeks.
  5. After DVLA confirm the transfer, we run final fraud / compliance checks and then release your proceeds to your nominated bank account.

Maximum payout timing

Our aim is to pay sellers as quickly as possible while keeping the process secure:

  • In most straightforward cases, you should receive your funds within 2–5 working days of DVLA confirming the transfer.
  • As a clear upper limit, we advise that the entire process from buyer's payment to seller payout can take up to 6 weeks, depending on DVLA processing times and how quickly documents are provided.
  • If DVLA or our fraud checks flag anything unusual, we will contact you and keep you updated rather than leaving you in the dark.

In summary

AuctionMyPlate manages the DVLA process end-to-end: certificates, grantee / nominee details, and assignment to the buyer's vehicle. Buyers should wait for our confirmation before fitting plates, and sellers are paid once the transfer is complete, with realistic maximum timescales explained up-front.