Retaining two number plates?

[YorksLS18]

A couple of quick questions about number plates...

Has anyone retained their vehicle's original number plate (ie the one assigned from new), and if so did you use the V317 form and get allocated a new reg number from the DVLA?

And secondly, you can hold two number plates on retention at the same time, right...?

Background is I was never into private plates but got the chance to buy one I liked fairly cheaply.

Then on reading the process, it looks like you can retain original plates from any vehicle (except Q reg) to use on other vehicles, which I wasn't aware of.

My original one starts MM11 and the car has some sentimental value, so thought I might hang on to it alongside my new plate if that's possible - but still trying to get my head round the process.

Not intending to start a debate about whether private plates are ostentatious, a waste of cash etc as everyone has their own opinion. But any advice/experience would be very welcome.

Cheers in advance

Edited by YorksLS18 on Tuesday 1st August 18:31

[alscar]

You can hold as many plates on retention as you like - whether from an existing vehicle or purchased for potential future use.

[vonhosen]

You can hold multiple plates on retention under your name but when you place the original 1st issue plate from a car on retention & they issue it with a 2nd age related plate, you can't put that 2nd age related plate on retention.

[MustangGT]

If you take off the original plate to put on a personal one, the original is not on retention unless you put it on retention (£80) before applying the personal plate. If you do that the DVLA will assign a random 'age' plate at that point. The number plate coming off when applying a personal plate will generally be re-assigned to the same car when you take your personal plate off again.

[YorksLS18]

Thanks all for the advice.

It sounds like the correct order is:
1. Apply to retain existing (original) plate
2. Wait for second age-related plate to be assigned
3. Assign new private plate in place of second age-related plate
4. Whenever I sell the car, remove private plate and revert back to second age plate

Thanks again for the help.

[MustangGT]

Sounds correct to me.