General Information

1.  What happens to my present registration number?
Unless you want to pay the Department of Transport fee to retain it, the registration is automatically made void. You simply remove and dispose of the old plates and fit the new ones at the time we advise.

2.  Why are some prices subject to VAT?
If the registration is actually owned by Image Registrations or is a government issue, VAT sometimes has to be added. Registrations not subject to VAT are usually being sold on a commission basis.

3.  The windows on my car are etched. Does this effect the chance of being re-issued with the number presently showing on my vehicle, when I transfer my Cherished Number at some time in the future?
You may request the old number to be re-assigned to your vehicle only if the windows of the vehicle are etched with the mark and the Vehicle Registration Office may call your vehicle in for an inspection to verify your claim. There are no guarantees that the governing bodies shall re-issue the mark but in our experience it is highly likely.

4.  What happens to my payment if I change my mind before the transfer has been completed and I no longer want the registration I have agreed to purchase from you?
We expect all purchase agreements to be honoured, just as you shall expect us to honour our terms of business. However, we do recognise that situations can change and we shall endeavour to advertise and sell the registration on your behalf after it has been transferred to your vehicle or payment has been made in full.

5.  Can I pay by methods other than credit card?
Yes. You may pay by Cheque, Transfer Credit or Bankers Draft.

6.  I paid a part payment by credit card and now I wish to pay the rest by credit card also. Is this okay?
Yes. You may pay the remainder of the outstanding purchase amount by credit card although Image Registrations shall charge an additional 2.5% handling charge for Visa or Mastercard. Debit cards such a Switch do not incur an additional handling charge. In all cases Image Registrations must have your written instruction to debit the outstanding amount from your credit card, this may be sent by fax to 0845 3456 456.

7.  What does DVLA, VRO and DOT stand for?
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Vehicle Registration Office, Department Of Transport.

8.  My V5 document says my registration number is non-transferable. Can I transfer a Cherished Number onto my vehicle?
Yes. Although you cannot transfer or retain a non-transferable number, the vehicle can receive a registration number providing the non-transferable number is not a "Q" mark and providing the vehicle meets the normal conditions of the Sales, Transfer and Retention schemes.

9.  Why are some transfers faster than others?
If you are buying a vehicle mark that has previously never been issued or assigned to a vehicle the transfer time is usually between 3 and 14 days. The reason for the speed in which marks of this nature may be transferred is due to the fact that there is no donor vehicle to be inspected by the Department Of Transport.

Where a mark has been previously assigned to another vehicle there may be a need to arrange an inspection of the donor vehicle prior to completing the transfer. In order to make a vehicle ready for transfer the donor vehicle must be taxed and hold a current MOT certificate, these documents may take a few weeks to acquire from the donor.

In addition to the time required to obtain donor documents the governing bodies themselves require ample time to process transfer applications. The average transfer time requested by the governing bodies is two to three weeks. As you can see, whilst every attempt is made by us to perform the fastest possible transfer time delays may be out of our control.

10.  How can I find out about the status of my transfer?
Please feel free to contact us at any time during office hours (9am to 8pm) for a progress report. Telephone number 0845 3456 444, Fax 0845 3456 456, E-mail enquiries@image-reg.com.

11.  Do Image Registrations provide the acrylic plates?
Not included within the purchase price. However, we do provide a plate manufacturing service details of which may be found on our web site.

12.  Does the recipient vehicle need to be inspected?
Not Usually. However, if for example there was a change of construction of the vehicle the authorities may then want to inspect it. You would be notified if this was necessary.

13.  Are there any restrictions to the transfer of a number with a year letter?
You cannot make a vehicle look newer than it actually is by transferring a younger year letter. For example JON 123W cannot be transferred to a vehicle originally registered as ABC 123C as this would make it look younger. However, it is possible to transfer it to JON 123X as the recipient vehicle would be newer than the donor registration. The same applies to prefix plates but vehicle registration numbers that do not contain a year identifier may be assigned to a vehicle of any age.

14.  How long does a transfer take?
The average time scale is two to three weeks. We ensure that every transfer is expedited as quickly as possible. However, it should be noted that the transfer cannot be started until we receive the required documents. Please note that whilst we take all reasonable care of your documents, we cannot expect any responsibility for their safety once passed into the hands of the Department of Transport, although it must be said that it is extremely rare for them to lose documents.

15.  What happens if I need to tax or MOT my vehicle while the transfer is being processed?
This presents no problem to Image Registrations, you simply send the appropriate fee, your insurance certificate or cover note and the tax application to us, ensuring that you state the old registration number on the application form. In the case of a new MOT, again you must ensure that the garage MOT the vehicle under the old mark and send the certificate to us immediately, with a covering note informing us of the registration mark you are purchasing. We shall have the MOT amended accordingly as and when it is appropriate during the transfer procedure.

16.  Is it possible to transfer a mark to a vehicle with a "Q" mark?
Transfers are not possible to "Q" registered vehicles.

17.  Do I have to keep the registration on my vehicle for a certain time before I can transfer it again?
There are no time restrictions and transferring a mark is a simple procedure which may be applied for yourself. Please note that any mark purchased from us must not be offered for re-sale until our transaction with you has been finalised.

18.  If the recipient already has a mark can I transfer both at the same time?
Yes. This is called a double transfer. It presents no problem for Image Registrations but you shall need to immediately supply us with the documents of the third vehicle involved and an extra £80 cheque payable to the Department of Transport. Although this creates more work for us, we do not make any extra charge. If no third vehicle is available then the mark can normally be retained on a Department of Transport retention certificate in accordance with the governing Regulations. The current fee is £25, (plus the £80 transfer fee).

19.  If my vehicle is new and not registered can I transfer a number onto it?
Yes, this does not normally create a problem. Image Registrations shall require the form V55 from your supplying garage (certain vehicle franchises will NOT release V55 documents, some franchises use the next digital system - it is prudent to check with the vehicle supplier first) plus your insurance certificate and cheque payable to Department of Transport for the road tax and £80 transfer fee. Due to the fact that the transfer time is uncertain it may be more appropriate to have a year related plate assigned by the garage supplying the vehicle. By opting for this solution you shall have full use of the vehicle whilst the transfer is taking place.

20.  Can I ask Image Registrations to try and obtain an un-issued prefix combination?
Yes. In addition to the new age related prefix marks, there is a possibility that the governing bodies may consider to issue the 'E & F' prefix combinations (number range 1-20 inclusive only) . However in any event it is at the sole discretion of the governing bodies. There are many changes in hand with regards to the issue of registration numbers by the governing bodies and nothing is certain. However, in view of the fact that the Government do make considerable funds from the sale of marks, we feel that it is likely that they will continue to be issued.

21. I have seen my own registration number being offered for sale on the Image Registrations web site and do not recall giving authority, why is it listed?
Image Registrations provide details of the many available marks Nationwide. In addition to selling thousands of our own stock items we also hold many public commissions and the stock and commissions of many other dealers throughout the UK. Occasionally, records are miss-typed and appear as an alternative combination that is in fact not for sale. Also there are circumstances where a recently acquired mark is still on our database due to the fact that the donor has failed to advise us of the sale and subsequent non-availability. If you have recently noted that your mark is listed and wish to provide us with further information or wish us to remove it from the web site, please send an email to remove@image-reg.com not forgetting to specify the registration in question and the validation character off your V5 (log book) for confirmation.

22. What do I get for my money when I buy a previously unissued mark?
Registration numbers are not items of property so you cannot buy legal title to them. What you pay for is the assignment right to the particular number. The sale involves a legally binding contract between the Secretary of State and the purchaser for an agreed price. The purchaser is granted the right to assign the number to a vehicle registered in his/her own name, or that of his/her nominee where applicable, within a 12 month period. The assignment right is granted to the purchaser alone and it is non-transferable - the nominee has no rights to the number.

In addition to the agreed sale price, an assignment fee (currently £80) is payable at the time of purchase. Buyers are issued with a V750 Certificate of Entitlement, valid for 12 months, which records details of the registration number, the purchaser and nominee details where supplied at the time of purchase. If, after you have received your certificate, you wish to add or change nominee details, you will need to apply to DVLC, returning your certificate together with a fee of £25 sterling.

If you do not wish to assign the number within the 12 month period, you can apply to extend your assignment rights annually. There will be a charge of £25 for each extension.

23. What if my vehicle is stolen and not recovered?
If your vehicle is stolen and has not been recovered after a year you can apply to have its registration number re-assigned to your replacement vehicle providing certain conditions are met. In order to qualify for the concession, the theft must have been notified to the police and recorded at DVLC as stolen for not less than 12 months. In addition, at the time of the theft the vehicle must have had a current test pass certificate and have had a current vehicle excise License (tax disc). The Agency will also require a letter from your insurers confirming that they have no objection to the number being re-issued. This must be provided because once insurers have settled your claim, they have a rightful claim to the vehicle should it be recovered.

24. What if my vehicle is "written off"?
A write-off happens when a damaged vehicle is judged by insurers to be beyond economic repair. In such a case, the insurance company agrees a pay-out with the insured, and legal ownership of the vehicle then passes to the insurance company. The company is then free to sell the vehicle as salvage and the purchaser may repair it and put it back on the road.

If your vehicle is written off, you may still apply to transfer or retain its number providing:

A) The vehicle is available for inspection.
B) You can satisfy all the conditions of the transfer or retention schemes.

IMPORTANT: It is essential that you discuss your cherished registration number with your insurers at the outset. You will need to ensure they are aware that in the event of a write-off, the vehicle must be made available for inspection by governing bodies if you are to transfer or retain the number. If your insurers settle your claim and sell the vehicle as salvage before the number is properly transferred or retained, the mark will pass with the vehicle to the new keeper and you will lose your entitlement. You will also lose entitlement if the vehicle is sent for scrapping before the number is transferred or retained.

Once you have successfully transferred or retained your registration number from the written off vehicle, let your insurers know about the change of number and send them the amended V5 registration document. If your insurers intend to sell the write-off as salvage, the vehicle must display the replacement registration number.

25. What if my vehicle has been scrapped?
Scrapping occurs when a vehicle, whether an insurance write-off or not, is broken up for spares or otherwise destroyed. Once a vehicle ceases to exist its registration number is cancelled.

If your vehicle has been scrapped, you will not be able to transfer its registration number.

The person who actually breaks up or destroys the vehicle must notify the governing bodies that the vehicle has been scrapped and return the V5 registration document.