"Private" Plates on Bikes ??

[Odds]

Anyone have a definitive answer / experience on applying and removing private (Vanity) plates to bikes ??

I'm struggling to find a answer as to whether its possible and am hearing mixed things - including that if a plate is applied to a bike, it then can't be removed and re-applied to a car.

Have tried to contact DVLA, but they've been less than helpful.

TIA

[Arlen]

One of my old bikes had a special plate. It is now on somebody else's van so they can come off bikes and onto cars.

All the documentation only refers to vehicles not cars and bikes specifically.

[the cueball]

I have a few private plates and have moved them between cars and bikes and back again without any issues..

[Rough101]

Before retention it was common to apply plates to brand new Chinese mopeds to keep them, so you must be able to.

[scorcher]

My 6 digit plate has been on and off my cars and bikes over the last 20 odd years

[bogie]

No issues moving plates around between vehicles, its easier than ever, all done online near enough instantly. Then just get plates made up.

[Jammez]

I've done it various ways and can confirm there's no problems.

Had a plate off a car, put it on retention then put it on a bike. Took same plate off the bike and put it directly onto a car. Took another plate off a car and put it straight on a bike.

Just fill in the form online

[Dog Star]

I’ve moved all sorts of plates between cars and bikes and vice versa - the plate on Mrs DSs car has been on my motocrosser. The 3x3 plate on my SL has been on all sorts, and was also applied to my MV Agusta F4 at new registration.

[Gixer968CS]

I changed the number plate on my SP2. This original owner's names was something like David John Brown and he had obviously been able to choose the plate when the bike was registered new as it was registered DB52DJB. Every time I looked at it I saw him/him as the owner and so it had to go. Usually I wouldn't give a stuff what the number plate was but this was so personal to and him and it was my bike now!

I changed it by choosing an alternative from the DVLA. Easy peasey, the process for changing the reg on a bike is exactly the same as for a car. You can buy a plate from DVLA or a 3rd party vendor and use that or use one that you may have on retention. DVLA is usually much cheaper than using a third party, though many of the "older" style plates have gone now.

[Neal H]

I have private plates that I move between vehicle types and it really is very easy using the DVLA website as long as you have the V5 and the retention certificate. There’s a fee for putting a number on retention, but no fee for transferring it onto a vehicle - apart from the admin fee that your insurer will charge you for making a change to your policy.

You can keep a number on retention for up to ten years and if you don’t apply it to a vehicle in that time you’ll lose the number. You may also be able to renew the retention, but I’ve never reached that point.

[Odds]

Thanks all

[gareth_r]

You must be talking to old people.

Decades ago there were odd rules that were apparently designed to prevent number plate dealers transferring registration marks from cars to five quid mopeds in order to save on costs and storage space.

[Triaguar]

As above ...get on website it can all be done online

[3DP]

Had one of my private plates on my Ducati 1098S. Took it off the bike to retention, then put it on my Octavia VRS where it still lives until I get another V twin. Don't think it is an issue based on my movement between bike and car.

Edited by 3DP on Wednesday 30th October 21:03

[Biker9090]

My grandad had a private plate on his Mondeo.

It was transferred to my Uncle when my grandad died who kept it on retention.

I then had it on my car and took it off prior to selling.

I then put it on my VFR1200F until I sold the bike.

I still have it on retention.

[Caddyshack]

gareth_r said:

You must be talking to old people.

Decades ago there were odd rules that were apparently designed to prevent number plate dealers transferring registration marks from cars to five quid mopeds in order to save on costs and storage space.

Yes, I think there was a rule that once it went on a motorbike it had to stay.