The 2025 UK Guide to Private Plates on a Lease Car
1. Introduction: Can You Put a Private Plate on a Lease Car?
Yes, absolutely. Putting a cherished or private number plate on a lease car is a very common request and is a straightforward process, if you follow the rules. It allows you to add that perfect personal touch to your new vehicle.
The process involves three main parties: you, the DVLA, and the finance company (who is the legal owner of the car). This guide will walk you through the exact process for both putting a plate on your new car and critically taking it off again before you return it.
Following these steps will ensure you don't face any unexpected admin fees or, in the worst-case scenario, risk losing your plate for good.
2. Key Terms You MUST Know (V750, V778, Nominee)
The process is 90% admin, and it all comes down to these key terms. Understanding them is essential.
- Finance Company / Funder: The company that legally owns your car (e.g., Lex Autolease, ALD). They are the Registered Keeper.
- V5C (Logbook): The vehicle's registration document. The finance company holds this, not you.
- V750 (Certificate of Entitlement): This is your "proof of ownership" for a brand new, unassigned number plate you've just bought.
- V778 (Retention Document): This is your "proof of ownership" for a number plate you have taken off another vehicle and are now holding.
- The Nominee: To put your plate on the lease car, you must add the finance company's name as a "Nominee" on your V750 or V778. This gives them permission to assign the plate to their asset (the car).
3. How to Put a Private Plate ON a Lease Car (Step-by-Step)
You can only start this process after you have taken delivery of your new car.
Step 1: Check with Us & Get Your Documents
Before you do anything, contact us. We will confirm the finance company's exact name (e.g., "Lex Autolease Ltd") and their admin fee for this service. You will need your V750 or V778 certificate ready.
Step 2: Add the "Nominee"
Log in to your DVLA online account or use the paper certificate. You need to add the finance company as a "Nominee." This is the most important step. Without this, the DVLA will reject the application as you are not the registered keeper.
Step 3: Send the Documents & Pay Fees
You will need to send two things to the finance company (or to us, to handle on your behalf):
- Your V750 or V778, now with the correct nominee.
- Payment for the finance company's administration fee (see costs below).
The finance company will then handle the entire transfer with the DVLA. Once the DVLA approves it (which is often instant online), the finance company will inform you that you can legally get your new plates made and put them on the car.
Step 4: Inform Your Insurance
As soon as the transfer is complete, you must call your car insurance provider to tell them the new registration number. Forgetting this can invalidate your policy.
4. How to Take a Private Plate OFF a Lease Car (Step-by-Step)
This is the most critical part of the process, and it's where people make costly mistakes. You must do this 6-8 weeks before your contract ends.
Step 1: The Golden Rule - DO NOT LEAVE IT LATE
If your car is collected with your private plate still on it, the finance company legally takes ownership of it. You will lose your plate. You must start the retention process at least 6 weeks before your end of lease collection date.
Step 2: Contact Us to Start the "Retention"
Call us and say "I want to retain my private plate." We will manage the process with the finance company on your behalf. You will need to pay two fees (see below):
- The £80 DVLA Retention Fee.
- The finance company's administration fee.
Step 3: The Process Completes
The finance company will handle the online application with the DVLA. Once complete, two things happen:
- The DVLA re-assigns the car's original number plate. You will be told what this is and must get the original plates (which you should have kept safe) put back on the car before it's collected.
- The DVLA will send you a new V778 Retention Document, putting the plate in your name for 10 years.
Step 4: Inform Your Insurance (Again)
You must call your insurer one last time to tell them the car is now back on its original registration number. This is vital for the final few weeks of your lease.
5. Costs & Fees: What to Expect
There are two types of fees. They are separate and both are non-negotiable.
1. DVLA Fees (Set by Law)
- Assigning a plate to a vehicle: £0 (if done with a V750/V778)
- Retaining a plate from a vehicle: £80
2. Finance Company Admin Fees (Set by Funder)
- Nearly all finance companies charge an admin fee for processing the paperwork for both putting a plate on and taking it off.
- This fee is typically between £25 - £50 (+VAT) for each transaction.
Yes, this means that over the life of your lease, you will pay the DVLA's £80 retention fee plus two admin fees from the finance company (one to put it on, one to take it off).
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid (The Timing Trap)
From our experience, these are the most common and costly pitfalls.
- The #1 Mistake: Forgetting to Retain It
We cannot stress this enough. If the car is collected with your plate on, it is no longer yours. We send reminders, but it is ultimately your responsibility. Set a calendar alert for 8 weeks before your contract end date right now.
- The Timing Trap (MOT & Tax)
The DVLA will not allow a plate to be transferred or retained if the vehicle's MOT or VED (Road Tax) has expired. While VED is included in your lease, if your car is over 3 years old, you must ensure the MOT is valid to make the transfer.
- Letting Your Certificate Expire
If you retain your plate to a V778, it is valid for 10 years. If you don't assign it to a vehicle in that time, you must renew it with the DVLA, or you will lose the right to it.
7. Private Plate Rules: The Law
You must also adhere to all DVLA rules for the plate itself.
- You Can't Make a Car Look Newer: This is the main rule. You cannot put a "25" plate (from 2025) on a "23" plate car (from 2023). You *can* put a "23" plate on a "25" plate car, or use a "dateless" plate (e.g., `ABC 123`) on any car.
- Legal Font & Spacing: The plates must be made in the legal "Charles Wright" font, with correct spacing. Altering the spacing or using non-standard fonts/bolts is illegal and can fail an MOT.
8. Private Plate FAQ
No. The transfer process can only begin once the vehicle is delivered and has been officially registered by the finance company with the DVLA. You must be in possession of the car.
The process is the same, just accelerated. You MUST retain your private plate *before* the early termination is finalised and the car is collected. Contact us immediately to manage this process.
Yes. Once you have retained the plate from your old car (and have the V778 Retention Document), you can simply repeat the 'Putting a Plate On' process when your new lease car is delivered.
This can vary. The DVLA's side is often instant online, but the administrative process with the finance company can take several weeks. This is why we stress you must start the retention process 6-8 weeks before your contract ends.
When you put your private plate on, the car's original registration number is stored by the DVLA. When you retain your private plate at the end of the lease, the DVLA automatically re-assigns the original plate back to the car.
9. Conclusion
Putting a private plate on your lease car is a simple and effective way to personalise it. The entire process is just administration. As long as you follow the steps, understand the terms, and—most importantly—give yourself plenty of time to retain the plate before your contract ends, you will have a smooth and stress-free experience.
If you have any questions about the process for your specific lease agreement, contact our expert team today.
