How Do I Keep My Current Registration Number?
It is important to note registration numbers are assigned to vehicles. Only by being the registered keeper of a vehicle do you have entitlement to apply to transfer or retain its number. You should be aware that not all vehicles are eligible to participate in the transfer process and not all numbers are transferable.
'Please note that if the donor vehicle is sold before DVLNI has agreed to the transfer, the right to the registration mark will pass immediately to the new keeper and the transfer will not be authorised'.
Where a number is transferable, the vehicle to which it is assigned must meet certain criteria.
The Cherished Transfer facility enables a registration number to be moved directly from one vehicle to another subject to certain conditions.
Who can apply?
Only the registered keeper is entitled to apply to transfer its number.
It is not necessary to have a donor vehicle licensed, which has not yet reached testable age i.e. 4 years old for cars, 1 year old for HGV vehicles. Any other vehicles, which do not meet this criteria will fall under the existing Cherished Transfer Rules.
It will still be necessary to have the recipient vehicle either currently licensed or submit an application to license at the time of transfer.
You may transfer a registration mark to and from a motorcycle or moped to any other vehicle, subject to the normal requirements, which apply to all participating vehicles.
Non-testable vehicles e.g. tractors, electrically propelled vehicles etc., cannot participate in the scheme.
What do I send?
- The completed V317(NI) application form (minus the notes for guidance).
- The Registration Certificate V5C(NI) for the donor vehicle - (the vehicle which carries the mark to be transferred).
- The Registration Certificate V5C(NI), a V55/1 in respect of a new vehicle or a V55/4 or a V55/5 in respect of new/used import i.e. G.B., ROI vehicle, for the receiving vehicle (the vehicle which will receive the mark). Applications made on V55/5 forms must be accompanied by documentation proving name and address.
- A test certificate for each vehicle that requires one.
- The licence discs (if current). If the donor vehicle does not fall into the criteria mentioned in the notes above and the licence has been refunded then it must be re-licensed. N.B. An unlicensed donor vehicle must not be driven, but transported to the Local Vehicle Licensing Office (LVLO) for inspection. If there is evidence that the vehicle was brought to the LVLO other than by lawful means, then the inspection will not proceed.
- Please forward your current licence disc/s along with your application. If the licence for the receiving vehicle has expired a licensing application must accompany this application. If the licence for the donor vehicle has expired no more than 12 months prior to the date of application and Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) has been made it may still be possible to transfer the mark. In order for the vehicle to qualify for the concession, there must be no break between the expiry date of the licence and the commencement of SORN.
- If the licence has been refunded the vehicle will not be able
to take part in a cherished transfer without re-licensing the vehicle.
However, for licenced vehicles, you may accompany your transfer
with an application to refund the disc for the donor vehicle, which
will be processed immediately after the cherished transfer has been
completed. You will receive a refund for each full month still to
run on the licence disc at the time you apply for the refund. To
receive a refund for any one month, the licence must be -
- Posted to DVLNI, before the first day of the month, or
- Handed in to a DVLNI Local Vehicle Licensing Office before the first day of the month. - The relevant certificates of insurance or valid cover notes.
- The fee (currently £80). If the transfer is being paid by cheque the drawer's full name and address must be printed clearly on the back of the cheque. Cheques should be made payable to 'DVLNI'. If the recipient vehicle is in Great Britain cheques should be made payable to 'Department for Transport'.
- For new vehicles and vehicles imported from abroad at First Registration in Northern Ireland, a fee of £55.00 is applicable.
What Do I Do Next?
Paperwork can be checked at a Local Vehicle Licensing Office and forwarded to the Cherished Transfer Section, County Hall, Coleraine.
If a number is transferred to a brand new vehicle the application can be processed at a Local Vehicle Licensing Office. The tax discs for both vehicles and the replacement number for the donor vehicle will be issued. The paperwork will then be forwarded to the Cherished Transfer Section and the Registration Certificates will be issued within four weeks of approval by DVLNI.
Or send everything to the:
Cherished Transfer Section
County Hall
Castlerock Rd
Coleraine
BT51 3TA
Vehicles may be called for inspection.
If everything is in order, the donor vehicle (the vehicle giving up the cherished number) will be allocated a current series registration number, the tax disc(s) will be replaced and if applicable, MOT certificates/new style M.O.T. discs: issued by Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) will be amended. You then must replace the number plates on the vehicles.
