Removing personal plate from a car

[Carlton Banks]

Hello,

I have recently bought a car where the previous owner had their personalised reg on the car when we did the deal.

We agreed that I would put the plate on retention for him and revert to another reg.

I have sent off all the paperwork - do the DVLA assign a random reg appropriate for the year of manufacture or does one get any choice in the matter (other than if you were putting on your own reg).

CB