DVLA number plate transfer.
DVLA number plate transfer.
Author
Discussion

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

207 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
I have a personal plate which I have owned for about 15 years and has been transferred between cars and/or certificate without issue over the years.

Currently on my daily driver which I have had for 3 years. Today I tried to transfer it off using their online service as I want to sell the car. It gave me a message I couldn't do it online and had to do it via post (10 working days).

I rang them but they couldn't tell me why I couldn't do the transfer online only there is an incident open, and the department who deals with this doesn't work weekends.

The only thing I have done recently is change of address. Other than that the car has been continuously taxed, moted and insured in the time I have had it. V5 in my name.

I will ring them on Monday but in the meantime has anyone ever had this problem?

Thanks.

CRA1G

7,246 posts

225 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Is the V5 definitely the most recent one issued too you. ?

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

207 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
CRA1G said:
Is the V5 definitely the most recent one issued too you. ?
Yes. Arrived yesterday with new address, all correct.

Big Al.

69,336 posts

288 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
I tried to remove my plate from my old car, got a similar message. I phoned them up explained what had happened, they checked it out their end and the info they had was incorrect and wasn't allowing the automated system to kick in and release it. They sorted and released it over the phone, sending email to confirm.

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

207 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Thanks.

Just realised I've not updated my driving licence with the new address. I'll do it in a bit online: could this be the problem? Car and licence both in my name but different addresses.

Shaw Tarse

31,890 posts

233 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
I wouldn't have thought that would make a difference, haven't checked for a while,but number plate transfers used to be online during office hours only

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

207 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Shaw Tarse said:
I wouldn't have thought that would make a difference, haven't checked for a while,but number plate transfers used to be online during office hours only
0700 to 1900 7 days. I was within these times.

Wooda80

1,743 posts

105 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
We do a fair number of plate transfers and retentions for customers at work.

Occasionally we get one where it can't be done online and has to be sent off, so yours is a rare occurrence but certainly not unique.

Nobody is ever sure what the common theme is, but our current theory is if the car has been SORNed at some point, as opposed to Sold to Trade then it can't be done online. Not certain that that is the real reason or why the SORN should make a difference but that's our best guess.

Does that fit with your experience?

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

207 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Wooda80 said:
We do a fair number of plate transfers and retentions for customers at work.

Occasionally we get one where it can't be done online and has to be sent off, so yours is a rare occurrence but certainly not unique.

Nobody is ever sure what the common theme is, but our current theory is if the car has been SORNed at some point, as opposed to Sold to Trade then it can't be done online. Not certain that that is the real reason or why the SORN should make a difference but that's our best guess.

Does that fit with your experience?
It's been continuously taxed while I've had it for three years. Previous owner had it for 9 years as a daily driver so I'm guessing it was taxed all those years too.

I'll be a bit miffed if I hit a problem doing the transfer because of something a previous owner did years ago.

Sebring440

3,216 posts

126 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
JumboBeef said:
Wooda80 said:
We do a fair number of plate transfers and retentions for customers at work.

Occasionally we get one where it can't be done online and has to be sent off, so yours is a rare occurrence but certainly not unique.

Nobody is ever sure what the common theme is, but our current theory is if the car has been SORNed at some point, as opposed to Sold to Trade then it can't be done online. Not certain that that is the real reason or why the SORN should make a difference but that's our best guess.

Does that fit with your experience?
It's been continuously taxed while I've had it for three years. Previous owner had it for 9 years as a daily driver so I'm guessing it was taxed all those years too.

I'll be a bit miffed if I hit a problem doing the transfer because of something a previous owner did years ago.
I don't think SORN has anything to do with it.

I've recently (within the past 6 weeks), transferred a plate from my XJ8 to my Astra GTC. Instantly via the web page.

The Jag had been SORNed (and no MOT) for at least three years.


Wooda80

1,743 posts

105 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
I've never experienced one turn into a problem, just the minor inconvenience that it has to be done old school via post rather than electronically.

ETA: Thanks Sebring, back to square one on that theory then!

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

207 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
I think there might be a problem if there is a gap, ie: not taxed or SORNed.

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

207 months

Monday 25th June 2018
quotequote all
Update:

Phoned them and they said there was a marker on the car but couldn't tell me what or why. They said they wound remove it.

Tried online a few hours later and it all worked, so I'm happy.

Thanks for the replies.