Faff of moving private plate to new car

[aturnick54]

Whilst I'm glad it can all be done online nowadays, it does have me wondering why it's still a rather complicated process and can't be done more efficiently. The process of removing the plate off a car, then having to wait for a new cars V5 to turn up. Nowadays can take weeks, particularly with the ongoing strikes at RM.

Makes me wonder why the DVLA don't have a system where you can assign a number plate to a car during the new keeper application? That way there's no need to waste paper and postage on the new cars V5 which will only have to be sent out again, and you can assign a private plate straight away. You'd also only have to tell your insurance once about a change of car.

[DickyC]

Brand new - give the dealer your V750 or V778 document and ask them to apply.

[Sixpackpert]

Because it’s a Government agency and change takes years/decades.

Having said that I’ve never had an issue, always get the V5 within 7 days and I change my cars every 2-3 years. It’s the one part of the DVLA that works quite well IMHO.

[aturnick54]

DickyC said:

Brand new - give the dealer your V750 or V778 document and ask them to apply.

Never bought new. Does this mean the car won't have a normal plate assigned?

[aturnick54]

Sixpackpert said:

Because it’s a Government agency and change takes years/decades.

Having said that I’ve never had an issue, always get the V5 within 7 days and I change my cars every 2-3 years. It’s the one part of the DVLA that works quite well IMHO.

Yeah once processed it comes quite quickly. I picked up a car last Saturday and dealer has decided to do new keeper by post (for some reason). Presumably they posted it on Monday and car still doesn't show new V5 issue date so I'm guessing not processed yet.

The online system does speed it all up which is good, when people use it.

[Cold]

With the aid of a switched-on member of staff, it used to be possible to do what you're suggesting back when the DVLA had a load of offices dotted around the country.
But they closed them.

[Alorotom]

Cold said:

With the aid of a switched-on member of staff, it used to be possible to do what you're suggesting back when the DVLA had a load of offices dotted around the country.
But they closed them.

True but you had to either have an appt (which they never ran to time) or rock up and wait for an eternity to be seen in their on-the-day take-a-ticket queue approach. At least this was the case at the former Gosforth office.

[vonhosen]

aturnick54 said:

DickyC said:

Brand new - give the dealer your V750 or V778 document and ask them to apply.

Never bought new. Does this mean the car won't have a normal plate assigned?

Yep.

If you put the personal plate on retention at a later date then the car will be issued with a generic previously unallocated age appropriate plate.

[SteveR1979]

Alorotom said:

True but you had to either have an appt (which they never ran to time) or rock up and wait for an eternity to be seen in their on-the-day take-a-ticket queue approach. At least this was the case at the former Gosforth office.

Wimbledon office was always pretty slick.

Shame they closed them

[KungFuPanda]

I took a plate off my car a couple of weeks ago. Still got the V5 back within a week. I think I did it on Tuesday and it arrived on Friday.

[Gunk]

These days it’s really simple, don’t quite understand what all the fuss is about

[aturnick54]

Cold said:

With the aid of a switched-on member of staff, it used to be possible to do what you're suggesting back when the DVLA had a load of offices dotted around the country.
But they closed them.

When did these close?

[DickyC]

aturnick54 said:

Cold said:

With the aid of a switched-on member of staff, it used to be possible to do what you're suggesting back when the DVLA had a load of offices dotted around the country.
But they closed them.

When did these close?

About ten years ago. A few survive but the majority closed.

[DickyC]

Just checked. All local offices are now closed. 2013 it happened.

[the-norseman]

Gunk said:

These days it’s really simple, don’t quite understand what all the fuss is about

it is and it isn't, the process is simple, its the having to wait for a paper log book to arrive after that isn't.

[jfdi]

It would be really simple for them to fix the issue. All they need to do is send the new v5 number on the confirmation of change of owner email. You could then transfer the plate onto the car straight away.
If they wanted to be really advanced they could avoid printing and send in the in between v5 as well.

[Shnozz]

the-norseman said:

Gunk said:

These days it’s really simple, don’t quite understand what all the fuss is about

it is and it isn't, the process is simple, its the having to wait for a paper log book to arrive after that isn't.

And as already said, paying an insurance admin fee of another £50 - £100 to amend the plate a few days after buying a car.

[chrisch77]

Shnozz said:

And as already said, paying an insurance admin fee of another £50 - £100 to amend the plate a few days after buying a car.

You should think about changing your insurer if their admin fee is REALLY £50 or more!

[wpa1975]

Shnozz said:

And as already said, paying an insurance admin fee of another £50 - £100 to amend the plate a few days after buying a car.

You should look for another insurer, mine does not charge for a plate change in fact a few don't

[aturnick54]

jfdi said:

It would be really simple for them to fix the issue. All they need to do is send the new v5 number on the confirmation of change of owner email. You could then transfer the plate onto the car straight away.
If they wanted to be really advanced they could avoid printing and send in the in between v5 as well.

Even easier, allow you to do it during the change of keeper process. With it all being online there's no reason why it couldn't ask if you want to transfer a private plate at the same time, then it's all done instantly and no wasted admin sending out 2 V5s