Can you put a private plate on a lease car?

Yes, you are able to put a private plate on a lease car. Private plates are big business in the UK, with some of the more sought-after ones costing more than your average family car.

There are a few steps you’ll need to do before slapping your cherished plate on your lease car though, and in this guide we will walk you through the process step-by-step.

How to put a private plate on a lease car

• First you will need to get permission from your lender first as they are the registered keeper of your vehicle.
• Leasing companies do this all the time so this part is just a formality, but you may be charged an admin fee to process the paperwork. This is usually around £35 to £50.
• You will have to fill out either a V317, V750 or V778 form and get the finance provider to send it to the DVLA– more on this below.
• You will need to wait for written confirmation from the DVLA before you can put the private plate on your vehicle.

The forms you will need to have handy depend on whether you already own a private plate and whether it is currently affixed to a vehicle. All the forms are available through the DVLA. They are valid for 10 years (you get a reminder before they expire) and do not cost anything to renew.

The V750 Certificate of Entitlement Form

If you have just bought a private plate or if it hasn’t been registered to a car yet, you will need to fill out a V750 ‘Certificate of Entitlement’ form. The details required will be in the V5C logbook.

The V778 Retention Document

If you already have a private plate but do not want it fitted to a car anymore, you will need the V778 document. This confirms that you are the owner of the plate and will be needed when you are ready to put it on another vehicle.

The V317 Application Form

If you want to transfer your private plate from one car to another then the V317 form is the one you will need.

All the forms are available through the DVLA and can be sent in by post or online. They are valid for 10 years and do not cost anything to complete.

Will this affect my insurance?

Fitting a private plate to your leased car should not affect your insurance premiums. After all, it doesn’t change your risk profile even if it does say SPE 3D. You will still need to inform your insurer of the change of registration before driving the car, though. Not doing so may have an impact on your cover.

Will I need to take the private plate off the leased car before I hand it back?

Yes. You will need to put the original number plate back on the car before the lease comes to an end. This can take a bit of time so don’t wait until the last minute to do it.

Contact your finance provider 6-8 weeks before the lease ends to inform them that you need to remove the private plate.

You will need to arrange with the finance provider to send the V317 form and the vehicle’s V5C logbook to the DVLA. They will be in possession of the logbook as they are the registered keeper of the vehicle.

There is an £80 charge by the DVLA to have the private number removed from the vehicle. Your finance provider may also charge an admin fee on top of this, usually around £35 to £50.

A new V5C logbook will be sent back which can take up to six weeks to arrive. You will also receive a V778 retention document for your private plate.

If I buy my leased car can I keep it on the private plate?

Yes. This option will save you from having to remove the plate before the lease ends and go through the hassle of additional paperwork.

Just remember that while you own the car outright at the end of a Hire Purchase (HP) and can buy it at the end of a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) via a balloon payment, some leasing agreements require you to return the vehicle when the contract is up. In this case you would have to go through the process of removing the private plate at the end of the lease and then assigning it to the next car.

Lease your next car with carwow

Decided on the perfect car to lease and put your private plates on? Then take a look at the latest offers on your preferred model through carwow.

If you’re thinking of selling your old car, you can do that through carwow, too. Again, a network of dealers will come to you with their best offers for your vehicle — no haggling, no stress, and the price you’re offered is the price you’ll get. The dealership will make payment and collect your car.