Old redundant registration numbers ?

[Old Merc]

Is it possible for DVLA to release an old reg’ number that’s no longer used.
I would love to have one of my parents numbers on my classic car.

Or? Has anybody got EDP 672 or WRD 98 on an old scrapper in their barn.

[droopsnoot]

I don't think they will release old numbers. There are previous cases where they've done that, only for the car to resurface and want the original plate back, causing an argument with whoever has it. I think one of the works TRs (the VC plated cars) was one such case.

[TarquinMX5]

No, they won't reissue a previously-issued number: I've tried regarding a car I know was scrapped back in the 70s.

What they might do, however, if you contact them, is reissue a reverse of the one you wanted, and put it up for auction, ie you want ABC 123, previously-issued, they might issue 123 ABC, assuming it hasn't previously been issued and auction it. You would have to bid, though. That's what they told me, albeit many years ago.