Can you put a private plate on a financed car?

Alisa Dan

4 November 2025

Yes, you can put a private plate on a financed car, but only with your lender’s permission. In finance agreements like Hire Purchase (HP), Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), or leasing (PCH), the finance company legally owns the car until the agreement ends. As the registered keeper, you must get written approval before applying to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to assign your plate using your V5C log book and either a V750 or V778 certificate.

What is personalised registration plate?

Personalised registration plates, also known as private plates, are custom vehicle number plates chosen by the owner instead of the standard registration issued automatically by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). They can include a combination of letters and numbers that often spell a name, initials, or a word with personal meaning. While they make a vehicle more distinctive, they must still follow DVLA rules — such as not making the car appear newer than it is and meeting legal display standards.

Types of personalised number plates available for your car

Personalised number plates come in several distinct styles, each offering a unique way to customise your car:

• Dateless number plates – These show no registration year and can be assigned to any vehicle. Their flexibility and clean design make them highly sought after, especially for those wanting to hide a car’s age.
• Prefix number plates – Introduced in 1983, these begin with a letter that represents the year of registration, followed by numbers and letters (for example, A123 ABC).
• Suffix number plates – Used between 1963 and 1982, these start with numbers and end with a year-identifying letter or letters (for example, 1234 AB).
• Northern Ireland number plates – Featuring unique combinations such as “I” or “Z,” these plates stand out and are often more affordable while still offering a personalised look (for example, ABZ 1234).
• Private plates with a theme – These are chosen to reflect something personal, like a name, hobby, or business. They add personality while still meeting DVLA standards.

All types can be purchased directly from the DVLA or through private dealers, with prices varying depending on rarity and desirability.

Who can have a personalised plate

To assign a personalised number plate, you must hold the rights to it through a V750 Certificate of Entitlement or a V778 Retention Document. The plate must follow DVLA display rules, using the correct font, spacing, and colours, and it must be made by a DVLA-registered supplier. You can’t use a plate that makes a vehicle look newer than it is, or fit it to a car it’s not registered to — doing so can lead to fines of up to £1,000.

The vehicle must also qualify before assignment. It must be registered with the DVLA, taxed or SORN, able to move under its own power, and have a valid MOT or HGV test certificate if over three years old. Private plates can’t be transferred to or from Q-registered vehicles. Once approved, the DVLA issues a new V5C log book, and you must update your insurance and any road-charging accounts such as ULEZ or the Congestion Charge.

Can you change the number plate on a financed car?

Can you put a private plate on an HP car?

Yes, if your car is on a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement, you are still able to assign a private plate. For example, one finance firm states: “Yes, you can put a private registration plate on a hire purchase car … it’s essential to obtain permission from the finance company.”

Again, the process involves informing the lender and ensuring the new plate is registered via the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You must ensure the car remains correctly registered and taxed.

Can you put a private plate on a PCP car?

Yes, for a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) car you likewise can put a private plate, but with some additional logistics. Many sources say this: “Yes, you can put a private registration on a car even if it’s on PCP finance … check with your finance provider.”

Because in PCP the lender remains the legal owner until the balloon payment or other end-of-term option, you’ll need the lender’s consent, and you must consider the end-of-contract scenario (if you return the vehicle rather than buy it outright).

Do you have to tell your finance company about a private plate?

Yes, but you must tell your finance company before putting a private plate on a financed car.

When a car is under finance, the lender is the legal owner, even though you’re the registered keeper. Because of that, you can’t make changes to the vehicle’s registration without their approval. The finance company must authorise the transfer so the DVLA can process the application correctly. If you assign a private plate without permission, you could breach your finance agreement, and the lender could ask you to remove it.

Most finance companies are happy to approve private plates, but each has its own process. Some may require a written request or charge a small administration fee, while others handle the DVLA paperwork for you.

What happens to your original number plate after you change it?

When you put a private plate on your car, the DVLA automatically removes your old registration number and holds it in reserve. It isn’t deleted or lost — instead, it’s reassigned to the vehicle if you ever remove the private plate later.

You’ll receive a new V5C log book showing the updated registration, while your original plate becomes inactive but remains linked to your car’s record. If you later take the private plate off — for example, when selling or returning a financed car — the DVLA reissues the original registration at no cost. You can then keep your private plate on a V778 Retention Document for future use.

The DVLA number plate guidelines

The DVLA number plate guidelines set out clear rules on how registration plates in the UK must be made, displayed, and used. Every vehicle on public roads must follow these standards to stay legal.

• Legal format and appearance – Plates must use the Charles Wright font in black characters on a white background (front) and yellow background (rear). Letters must be 79 mm tall, 50 mm wide, with a 14 mm stroke, and properly spaced (11 mm between characters, 33 mm between groups). Decorative fonts, altered spacing, or 3D/shadow effects are not allowed.
• Material and standards – Plates must meet British Standard BS AU 145e, which ensures reflectivity and durability. They must also display the supplier’s name and postcode, along with the BS number in the bottom corner.
• Registration identifiers – The first two letters show the local registration office, the following two numbers show the vehicle’s age, and the last three letters are random. Private plates must never make a vehicle look newer than it is.
• Flags and identifiers – You can add an optional national flag (Union Jack, Cross of St George, Saltire, or Red Dragon) and a country identifier (GB, UK, ENG, SCO, CYM, or WAL). If you drive abroad, you may still need a UK sticker.
• Illumination and cleanliness – Plates must be clean, clearly visible, and properly lit at night. Using tinted, damaged, or obscured plates can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and your vehicle failing its MOT.

Is it worth getting a private number plate?

Yes, in some cases a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) personalised number plate is worth getting, but it depends on your goals, budget and vehicle. Below are the main pros and cons so you can decide confidently.

Why it’s worth it

• You give your car a unique look and express your identity. One guide says private plates offer “personalisation … a fresh look for your car.”
• Some plates retain or increase value: rare combinations can become collectible, so the plate can act like an asset.
• A personalised plate can hide the vehicle’s age (if you pick a dateless format) and improve appearance or resale appeal.
• If you run a business the plate can act as mobile branding: “Custom number plates … boost brand visibility.”

Why it might not be worth it

• The initial cost can be high, and you’re not guaranteed it will rise in value. One review says: “plates… risk of depreciation … you may never be able to recoup what you spent.”
• Your tastes can change, or the vehicle might be sold/replaced, making the plate less relevant.
• If you treat it purely as an investment you’re exposed to fluctuations in demand and trends.
• Some believe it’s a luxury rather than necessity — you’ll spend extra beyond the cost of the car without essential benefit.

How do you put a personalised number plate on your car?

1. Ask permission from your finance provider

If your car is on finance or lease, you must get written approval from the lender first. They are the legal owner of the vehicle until the agreement ends, so the DVLA will only process the transfer once they’ve authorised it.

2. Update the nominee details

If the vehicle is registered in your name but the plate is owned by someone else, update the nominee section on your V750 Certificate of Entitlement or V778 Retention Document. This ensures the registered keeper is correctly listed when the DVLA assigns the plate.

3. Send the completed V750 or V778 form to the DVLA

Apply online or by post to assign the plate. You’ll need your V5C log book and either a V750 (for a newly purchased plate) or a V778 (for a retained one). If everything meets the DVLA’s eligibility rules, the transfer is usually completed instantly online or within a few days by post.

4. Confirm the transfer is complete

Once the DVLA approves the change, you’ll receive an updated V5C log book with the new registration. You can then fit your new plates using a DVLA-registered supplier, and remember to update your insurance, MOT records, and any road-charging accounts such as ULEZ or the Congestion Charge.

5. Notify your insurance company of the change

Tell your insurer as soon as the new registration goes live. The insurer must update your policy and pass the new registration to the Motor Insurance Database. If you do not do this, the car can show as “uninsured” to police cameras even though you’re paying for cover, which can cause problems in the event of a stop or a claim.

What happens when my car finance agreement ends?

When your car finance agreement ends, what happens to your private plate depends on the type of deal you have. If you keep the car — for example, by completing a Hire Purchase (HP) or buying out a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) — the plate simply stays with the vehicle under your ownership. But if you’re returning the car, such as at the end of a PCP or lease (PCH) agreement, you must remove the private plate first.