Putting a personalised number plate on a lease car is possible, but you need to take a few extra steps.
In this guide…
Ever thought of making your leased car stand out from the crowd with a personalised number plate? It’s a fantastic way to inject a bit of your personality into your vehicle, making it unmistakably yours. Beyond just being a stylish addition, a unique number plate helps your car become more recognisable – a deterrent for would-be thieves preferring anonymity.
But, when it comes to leased vehicles, affixing that personal stamp requires a bit more legwork due to the ownership arrangement. Don’t worry, though; this friendly guide is here to walk you through the steps and key points to consider when personalising your lease car.
Can You Transfer a Private Plate to a Lease Car?
Yes, putting a private registration plate on a leased car is doable. However, since the car isn’t technically yours, you’ll need the nod from the finance company. They hold the title, but with their approval, you can adorn your lease with the plate of your choice. Changing the plate means nominating the finance company on your private plate’s documents, a simple procedure with a possible admin fee attached.
Direct transfers from a private car to a lease car aren’t possible; first, secure your plate with a V317 form from the DVLA for retention.
How to Put a Private Number Plate on Your Lease Car
Seek Permission from the Finance Company
Contact the finance company to obtain permission to apply for a private registration for the leased car. Typically, this step comes after you’ve got the keys in hand, as most companies prefer to handle this post-delivery. It’s just a matter of a quick call or email to get the ball rolling.
Purchase the Plate
Acquire your personalised number plate from the DVLA or through private dealers. You’ll need a Certificate of Entitlement (V750) as proof of purchase and entitlement, which also serves as the application form for assigning the number to a vehicle.
The DVLA website is home to over 40 million plates for sale. Plus the DVLA holds auctions for unique registration numbers every couple of months, which you can join and bid for online.
Update Nominee Details
Inform the finance company about your intent to apply for a private registration. You’ll need to update the nominee details on the V778 (retention document) or V750 (Certificate of Entitlement), depending on your situation.
Submit the Documentation
Post the completed paperwork to the finance provider, who will then forward the necessary documents to the DVLA for processing, possibly incurring an admin fee.
Confirm Transfer Completion
Wait for written confirmation from the DVLA before fitting the private number plate to your car. Once that letter lands in your mailbox, you’re all set to adorn your car with its new identity. Don’t forget to give your insurance company a heads-up about the registration change to ensure your policy is up-to-date and your car is fully covered.
What Happens When the Lease Contract Ends?
Once your lease contract ends, you’ll have to remove the private number plate from the vehicle before handing it over if you wish to keep the plate. It can take around six weeks to formally remove a private registration plate from a lease car, so make this the time when you should start contacting the finance company explaining you wish to remove and retain your personalised number plate. They’ll complete a V317 form and send it to the DVLA.
While adding a personalised number plate to a leased car involves several extra steps and considerations, the process is straightforward with proper planning and communication with the finance company. The reward? A distinctive and personalised vehicle, even on a lease.
If you’re looking for a lease car worthy of your personalised number plate, cars2buy has a rich collection of the UK’s best leasing options from trusted dealerships. At cars2buy, we’re about making car leasing as straightforward and transparent as possible. We gather the UK’s top leasing deals, allowing you to compare and find your ideal car without the hassle of endless searching. Check out our latest offers, and you could be behind the wheel of your perfect, personalised lease car sooner than you think.
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