Irish plate.

[Drawweight]

I’ve just bought a secondhand car with an Irish plate.

Is there a cheap way to get a UK plate?

[parabolica]

As in a Northern Irish, 4-number 3-letter plate? If so get a cheap plate from the DVLA site (used to be around 250 + transfer fees) that you like the look of - plenty of ‘normal’ format plates available.

If it’s a ROI plate, that’s slightly different.

[paul_c123]

Republic of Ireland or Northern Irish?

[Drawweight]

NI 3 letters, 4 numbers.

[paul_c123]

AFAIK there is no way to avoid the £80 transfer fee, but at least it can be done. Vehicle will need to be taxed, MoT'd (if applicable) and registered in your name with a GB address. Then fill in form V317 or do the equivalent process online, and it will put the NI plate on retention and you'll be assigned (immediately, including a PDF file eV948 form, which is needed to make up the plate before the updated V5C arrives in the post) a GB style plate, with the area code (first letter in the current scheme) relating to where the car is registered.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applica...

The NI plate, being dateless, might have some low value eg £150-250 and if its been placed on retention, could be sold on, hopefully at least getting your money back.

[davek_964]

Why would you bother changing (when it's going to cost you money)?

[Drawweight]

davek_964 said:

Why would you bother changing (when it's going to cost you money)?

Don’t ask! Well okay, the wife doesn’t like it for some reason.

[davek_964]

Drawweight said:

davek_964 said:

Why would you bother changing (when it's going to cost you money)?

Don t ask! Well okay, the wife doesn t like it for some reason.

[andrewcliffe]

IIRC it is possible to re-register the car with a UK registration. The details, procedure and cost is probably on the DVLA website, or use their live chat facility.

[Drawweight]

To conclude this I messaged the DVLA on X.

I need to send the V5 with a covering letter and they issue a UK one.

Easier than I thought.

[Drawweight]

Browsing the DVLA site I managed to get **25*** which is the wifes initials and my initials.

Of no value to anyone else and it doesn’t stand out in any way but at least I won’t need a photo on my phone to remember the number.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Drawweight said:

Browsing the DVLA site I managed to get **25*** which is the wifes initials and my initials.

Of no value to anyone else and it doesn t stand out in any way but at least I won t need a photo on my phone to remember the number.

It's a very new second hand car then! Enjoy.

[LightweightLouisDanvers]

Drawweight said:

Browsing the DVLA site I managed to get **25*** which is the wifes initials and my initials.

Of no value to anyone else and it doesn t stand out in any way but at least I won t need a photo on my phone to remember the number.

Amazes me that anyone can't remember their registration number.

[South tdf]

paul_c123 said:

AFAIK there is no way to avoid the £80 transfer fee, but at least it can be done. Vehicle will need to be taxed, MoT'd (if applicable) and registered in your name with a GB address. Then fill in form V317 or do the equivalent process online, and it will put the NI plate on retention and you'll be assigned (immediately, including a PDF file eV948 form, which is needed to make up the plate before the updated V5C arrives in the post) a GB style plate, with the area code (first letter in the current scheme) relating to where the car is registered.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applica...

The NI plate, being dateless, might have some low value eg £150-250 and if its been placed on retention, could be sold on, hopefully at least getting your money back.

Once you have retained the Irish plate you can surrender the certificate to DVLA and get your £80 back.

Alternatively you can write to DVLA and request a Non NI plate however retaining and claiming is quicker.

[CRA1G]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Drawweight said:

Browsing the DVLA site I managed to get **25*** which is the wifes initials and my initials.

Of no value to anyone else and it doesn t stand out in any way but at least I won t need a photo on my phone to remember the number.

It's a very new second hand car then! Enjoy.

I was thinking the same... second hand but max 5 months old... if so i understand why op prefers a UK plate.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

CRA1G said:

I was thinking the same... second hand but max 5 months old... if so i understand why op prefers a UK plate.

And now we are left hanging...

....has the OP bought a very new second hand car, or a very new plate he can't use

[paul_c123]

Maybe he isn't aware of the rule that you can't transfer a plate to a car if it makes it look newer?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

paul_c123 said:

Maybe he isn't aware of the rule that you can't transfer a plate to a car if it makes it look newer?

I think that's what Craig & I were hinting at

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Although I bought an Irish import car. DVLA (in error) issued a plate based on the date of import not the date of manufacture (which was two years earlier).

So, it is possible to drive a car with a newer plate.

[Drawweight]

Car registered 26th March 2025 so all is well.

Possibly a press car or ex demo, who knows, it’s only got 2.5k on it.