23/06/1027

Views on the ‘scope and conditions’ of the transitional arrangements currently in place for managing expired certificates of entitlement for personalised vehicle registration numbers are sought from specialist dealers and trade associations in a consultation intended to help the DVLA identify whether changes are necessary.

The law governing the sale and retention of registration numbers makes no provision for the renewal of entitlement if the owner allows the right to expire – which means any process that allows expired certificates to be extended when backdated fees are paid must stop.

As around 95% of owners keep their certificates up-to-date by extending or assigning them before the expiry date, only a small number will affected if any changes are made.

‘Transitional arrangements where vehicle registration numbers held on a certificate have expired’ mainly comprises a questionnaire asking consultees how they currently manage expired certificates so the DVLA can better determine whether the transitional arrangements should be changed by, for example, allowing for an expired right to be re-purchased.

Registration numbers that are currently assigned to a vehicle will not be affected.