Re-applying the original registration mark
Discussion
When a personal registration mark is removed from a vehicle, the DVLA reallocate the original registration.
However, with the closure of local registration offices, the DVLA computer records sometimes do not hold the original registration information.
Under those circumstances they allocate a random registration with (if applicable) the appropriate year identifier.
The originality of the vehicle is then lost.
If the owner still has the original (buff or green) log book, do the DVLA cooperate, to reinstate the original mark.
I tried to ask them, but did not receive a reply.
Do any of you have knowledge, or experience of thes circumstances ?
A chap I know (not well) managed to get the original registration reinstated on a vintage car that had spent a fair bit of its life in the US. He had some documentation but I don't think the original log book, as this had to be handed in when the car was exported.
A large part of his success was being very persistent with the DVLA. I suspect a chunk of luck was also involved.
A large part of his success was being very persistent with the DVLA. I suspect a chunk of luck was also involved.
Jon39 said:
When a personal registration mark is removed from a vehicle, the DVLA reallocate the original registration.
However, with the closure of local registration offices, the DVLA computer records sometimes do not hold the original registration information.
Under those circumstances they allocate a random registration with (if applicable) the appropriate year identifier.
The originality of the vehicle is then lost.
If the owner still has the original (buff or green) log book, do the DVLA cooperate, to reinstate the original mark.
I tried to ask them, but did not receive a reply.
Do any of you have knowledge, or experience of thes circumstances ?
Unfortunately lots of dealers (and owners) of old cars are now raping cars for their valuable numbers, so it’s possible the original has been sold on at some point, in which case you are stuffed. Does the number exist when doing a DVLA search? Even if it doesn’t, it’s possible someone has the number on retention.
In any case, searching out the appropriate owners club and applying via V765 is the route.
friederich said:
Search for DVLA form V765. You will likely need the help of the appropriate owners club (there s a list of DVLA recognised ones). If you have the buff log book and evidence linking the physical car to the details in the old log book - this is where the owners club comes in - then you may be OK.
Unfortunately lots of dealers (and owners) of old cars are now raping cars for their valuable numbers, so it s possible the original has been sold on at some point, in which case you are stuffed. Does the number exist when doing a DVLA search? Even if it doesn t, it s possible someone has the number on retention.
In any case, searching out the appropriate owners club and applying via V765 is the route.
Unfortunately lots of dealers (and owners) of old cars are now raping cars for their valuable numbers, so it s possible the original has been sold on at some point, in which case you are stuffed. Does the number exist when doing a DVLA search? Even if it doesn t, it s possible someone has the number on retention.
In any case, searching out the appropriate owners club and applying via V765 is the route.
Thank you.
It sounds as though I might be lucky.
The old original log book even shows my name as a keeper, when the car was quite young.
It did not originally have a dateless, or interesting registration mark, simply the standard year date issue in the 1960, so extremely unlikely to be wanted by anyone.
Nothing shown on the DVLA website
I will follow your guidance ref. V765 and owners club.
I have done it a few times, and got the original every time, but only after they issued a random despite stating and requesting the original.
I had to phone DVLA, wasting your time otherwise, and get through to a specific department eventually, and they were very helpful.
The department deals only with registering old vehicles that have gone off DVLA records as not taxed when new v5 roll outs happen.
I had to phone DVLA, wasting your time otherwise, and get through to a specific department eventually, and they were very helpful.
The department deals only with registering old vehicles that have gone off DVLA records as not taxed when new v5 roll outs happen.
Jon39 said:
It did not originally have a dateless, or interesting registration mark, simply the standard year date issue in the 1960, so extremely unlikely to be wanted by anyone.
Err, if it was first registered in 1960, then it will have originally had a 'dateless' registration number, as the first year suffix reg number didn't appear until 1963, and even then many county areas continued issuing pre-suffix reg numbers throughout 1963.aeropilot said:
Jon39 said:
It did not originally have a dateless, or interesting registration mark, simply the standard year date issue in the 1960, so extremely unlikely to be wanted by anyone.
Err, if it was first registered in 1960, then it will have originally had a 'dateless' registration number, as the first year suffix reg number didn't appear until 1963, and even then many county areas continued issuing pre-suffix reg numbers throughout 1963.Well spotted.
Sorry, I thought I had typed 1960s, but it posted without the S.
Car is 1964, thefore B year letter.
As suggested, I looked at the relevant DVLA document and another problem has now arisen.
It states the original registration mark will be reallocated with the condition, 'Not Transferrable'.
My plan was;
1. Remove the present personal registration mark.
2. Have the original registration reapplied (to get that recorded on the DVLA computer).
3. Then transfer a different personal registration mark to the car.
If Not Transferrable is applied then I suppose step 3 won't be possible.
Plan now is therefore step 1, followed by step 3.
My Land Rover has a N. Irish plate, it was so when I bought it but the original 'A' suffix plates were in the back.
Furthermore, out of curiosity I did an online HPI check which actually shows the original plate and date it was changed so it's not exactly difficult to track down.
I'd actually like to reinstate the original as I'm not a fan of 'personalised plates' but I understand this can only be done if the vehicle has a current MOT (even though it's MOT exempt) and so, as it is currently just a rolling chassis in my workshop this can't be done now.
Furthermore, out of curiosity I did an online HPI check which actually shows the original plate and date it was changed so it's not exactly difficult to track down.
I'd actually like to reinstate the original as I'm not a fan of 'personalised plates' but I understand this can only be done if the vehicle has a current MOT (even though it's MOT exempt) and so, as it is currently just a rolling chassis in my workshop this can't be done now.
Jon39 said:
Well spotted.
Sorry, I thought I had typed 1960s, but it posted without the S.
Car is 1964, thefore B year letter.
As suggested, I looked at the relevant DVLA document and another problem has now arisen.
It states the original registration mark will be reallocated with the condition, 'Not Transferrable'.
My plan was;
1. Remove the present personal registration mark.
2. Have the original registration reapplied (to get that recorded on the DVLA computer).
3. Then transfer a different personal registration mark to the car.
If Not Transferrable is applied then I suppose step 3 won't be possible.
Plan now is therefore step 1, followed by step 3.
(And the non-transferable bit is in reference to the original number if re-allocated back to the car. Its to prevent that number being sold on for profit rather than staying with the car it was originally on for historical reasons and the reason for being re-allocated)
aeropilot said:
(And the non-transferable bit is in reference to the original number if re-allocated back to the car. Its to prevent that number being sold on for profit rather than staying with the car it was originally on for historical reasons and the reason for being re-allocated)
Because no-one should profit from the sale of number plates, except for DVLA of course.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff