Swapping numberplates?

[disco1]

Hi guys,
I'm about to buy an 02 reg car that has someones prefix style number plate on it, how hard/expensive is it to revert to the 02 plate? Can I swap the old one for a new one with the DVLA? (I did try calling them but their call centre is too busy to take calls!!)

[miniman]

You'll have to put it on retention (£80 IIRC) and then effectively un-retain it and get the fee back. I expect a DVLA office can do the whole thing in one go, although they are horrible places. Something between job centre, dole office and Argos.

[sklar]

Isn't it £80 for the transfer fee and £25 for the 1 year retention?

I believe you can get the £80 back, but not the £25 fee.

[Shaw Tarse]

Is the seller keeping their plate?

[J3PTF]

sklar said:

Isn't it £80 for the transfer fee and £25 for the 1 year retention?

I believe you can get the £80 back, but not the £25 fee.

Correct.

May be better trying to sell the plate for a token amount to cover your costs, as you will have already covered the cost of transferring it onto another car.

[disco1]

Shaw Tarse said:

Is the seller keeping their plate?

No, it's coming with the sale, someone elses initials doesn't does cut it for me, also don't like the fact it's an S prefix and mines a facelift 911, certianly wouldnt want people to think I driving around in an S reg 3.4 now would I!!