V778 Form PDF Download – DVLA Retention Document

The V778 form gives you the legal right to keep a private registration number after removing it from a vehicle. Apply before any sale, scrap, or lease end, not after. Once the V5C changes hands, the number may be gone permanently.

What Is the V778 Form?

The V778 is the DVLA Retention Document. It is a green A4 paper certificate that proves you hold the legal right to a specific private registration number that is no longer assigned to any vehicle. DVLA issues it after your retention application is approved and the number is formally detached from the donor vehicle.

It is not the same as the V750 Certificate of Entitlement. The V750 is a pink certificate for brand-new registrations that have never been on a vehicle. The V778 comes into play when a number that was already assigned to a car is removed and placed in your name for safekeeping.

	V778 Retention Document	V750 Certificate of Entitlement
Colour	Green	Pink
When issued	Registration removed from a vehicle already assigned to it	Brand-new registration purchased but not yet used
Who receives it	Registered keeper after retention application	Buyer of a new unissued registration
Fee at issue	£80	Included in purchase price
Validity	10 years from date of issue	10 years from date of issue
Renewal	Free, postal only	Free, postal only

What Is the V778 Used For?

A UK registration number belongs to the Crown, not to you personally. You hold the right to use it on a vehicle. The moment you want to take it off, pause it, or move it, you need the V778 to hold that entitlement formally in your name.

Selling a vehicle: your personalised plate must come with you, not leave with the buyer
Scrapping or total loss: The car is gone, but the number does not have to be. Apply before disposal
Part-exchange at a dealer: Dealerships do not protect your plate automatically
Investment holding: Keep a cherished or dateless registration off a vehicle while its value grows
Selling the right: You have sold the number to a buyer and need to detach it from your vehicle first
Gifting a plate: You are passing a number to a family member and need time to arrange the transfer
End of a lease: The leasing company is taking the car back. The plate must come off before handover
SORN vehicle: Your vehicle is off-road, and you want to remove the plate without taxing it again

Who Needs a V778 Retention Document?

Anyone who is the registered keeper of a vehicle with a private plate and wants to remove it before the car is sold, scrapped, or transferred. The legal test is registered keeper status as shown on the V5C. Owner and keeper are not always the same person, and keepership is what determines who DVLA will deal with for online applications.

Private sellers removing a personalised number before listing the car
Classic car owners protecting a dateless plate during a restoration or sale
Estate administrators retaining a registration from a deceased person’s vehicle
Fleet and business managers moving a company registration between vehicles
Drivers whose vehicles have been written off and want to save the plate before the insurer disposes of the car
Anyone who acquired a private plate and now wants to sell the entitlement onward

Leasing

Apply three to four weeks before the lease end date. Administration companies handling paperwork on behalf of leasing companies add significant processing time. Missing the window means losing the plate with no recourse.

When Should You Apply for a V778?

Apply before any change of ownership, disposal, or handover. The application cannot be backdated, and DVLA has no mechanism to reverse a keeper change once it has been processed.

Selling privately: At least one week before the sale completes
Leased vehicle: Three to four weeks before the lease end date
Insurance write-off: Before the insurer disposes of the vehicle. Obtain written authorisation first
Renewing an existing V778: Within the 28-day window before the expiry date on the document
Scrapping: Before the vehicle is handed to a scrapyard or deregistered with DVLA

Warning

Once the registered keeper on the V5C changes to a new person, that person may claim your registration. DVLA has no power to reverse this. There is no appeal and no refund. The registration is gone permanently.

How Does The V778 Retention Scheme Work?

When you apply, the DVLA detaches the registration number from your vehicle and transfers the entitlement to you, the named grantee, on a V778 document. Your vehicle receives a replacement age-related registration. The private number then sits in a protected legal state, attached to neither a vehicle nor the open market, until you decide to assign it, sell it, or renew the document.

Application Process at a Glance

Download V778/1 or apply online at gov.uk

Complete Sections 1 to 5

Gather original documents

Submit to your nearest DVLA local office

DVLA local office processes and forwards to Swansea

V778 Retention Document and new V5C despatched separately

What Happens to Your Vehicle After Retention?

DVLA allocates an age-related replacement registration to the vehicle
A new V5C is issued under the replacement number
The old plates must be removed once the replacement is confirmed via form V803
Displaying the old plates after that point is a criminal offence under the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002
Pre-1963 vehicles receive a replacement without a year identifier, issued on a non-transferable basis

Can a V778 Be Renewed Indefinitely?

Yes. A registration can legally remain on a vehicle for decades, as long as the V778 is renewed before it expires each time. Renewal is free of charge and done by post only. DVLA does not currently offer online renewal for existing V778 documents.

Who Can Apply for a V778 Retention Certificate?

DVLA sets clear conditions. Your application will be refused if any of the following checks fail at the point of submission.

Eligibility Decision Checker

Eligibility Check	If the Answer Is No (or Yes where marked)
Are you the registered keeper on the V5C?	You cannot apply online. Use V317 by post to retain in another name
Is the vehicle registered with DVLA on the UK database?	The vehicle must be DVLA-registered before applying
Does the vehicle require an annual roadworthiness test?	Tractors, milk floats, and similar exempt vehicles are ineligible
Does the vehicle have a valid MOT or HGV test certificate?	Sort the MOT first if the vehicle is old enough to require one
Is the vehicle taxed or on SORN without a break?	Apply SORN via V890 first, or tax the vehicle
Is the registration marked non-transferable on the V5C?	The number cannot be retained; do not apply
Is this a Q-prefix or NIQ-prefix registration?	These are permanently non-transferable under any circumstances
Does the vehicle have outstanding finance?	Clear the finance or get written consent from the finance company first

How to Fill Out the DVLA V778 Form and Submit Your Application?

You can apply online at gov.uk or by post using the V778/1 application form. Download the V778 form PDF from DVLAFormsOnline.co.uk to start the postal route. Use black ink and capital letters throughout the paper form.

Step 1: Download or Obtain the V778/1 Application Form

Download the V778 PDF form from this page, or collect the V778/1 from your nearest DVLA local office. For the online route, search for “Keep a vehicle registration number” on gov.uk. You will need the 11-digit document reference number from the right side of page one of your V5C.

Online is faster

Online applications complete within a few working days. Postal applications take 2 to 4 weeks. If speed matters, apply online at gov.uk.

Step 2: Complete Section 1: Vehicle Details

Enter the registration number you are retaining, the vehicle make and model, the VIN or chassis number, and the vehicle licence disc expiry date and serial number. Do not enclose the disc itself. If the disc was issued at a Post Office within the last two weeks, enclose a photocopy only.

Step 3: Complete Section 2: Your Details

Your full name, address, and postcode must exactly match the registered keeper details on the V5C. Include daytime and evening telephone numbers. Any mismatch will cause the application to be returned unprocessed.

Step 4: Complete Section 3: Nominee Details (Optional)

If you already know whose vehicle the number will go to next, name them here. Optional. This places you under no obligation; only you, as the grantee, can decide if and when the assignment happens. The nominee has no rights to the number until the assignment is complete.

Step 5: Sign Section 5: Declaration

By signing, you confirm you are still the keeper and will not dispose of the vehicle until you receive the replacement V5C. Joint registered keepers must both sign. Company or partnership representatives must state their position in the organisation.

Step 6: Gather Your Supporting Documents and Submit

See the full checklist below. Every document must be an original — no photocopies, no printed emails. Submit to your nearest DVLA local office, not DVLA Swansea and not any Post Office.

Required Documents and Supporting Materials

V5C Registration Certificate (original) showing you as registered keeper
MOT or HGV test certificate if the vehicle is of the age and class that requires one
Vehicle licence disc serial number and expiry date noted in Section 1 — do not enclose the disc
Completed and signed V778/1 application form
£80 fee by card (online) or cheque or postal order payable to DVLA Swansea (postal)

Situation	Additional Document Required
V5C not yet in your name	V5/2 or V5C/2 plus a completed V62 form
Vehicle needs re-licensing at the same time	V10 or V85 form plus insurance certificate plus correct VED payment
Vehicle written off by insurer	Original written authorisation letter from the insurer, no photocopies accepted
Combining V778 with a V750 assignment	V750 Certificate of Entitlement plus an additional £80 assignment fee
Disc issued at Post Office in the last two weeks	Photocopy of the disc enclosed alongside the application
Joint keepership on V5C	Both registered keepers must sign Section 5
Company or partnership vehicle	Signatory must state their role in the organisation next to their signature

Vehicle Types Covered by the Retention Scheme

Vehicle Type	Eligible	Notes
Private car (taxed)	Yes	Standard application
Private car (SORN, lapsed within 12 months)	Conditions	No gap in SORN required. Inspection likely.
Motorcycle	Yes	Must require an MOT
Van or light commercial	Yes	Standard application
HGV	Yes	HGV annual test certificate required
Bus or coach	Yes	Must require annual testing
Classic car (pre-1963)	Yes	Replacement issued without year identifier, non-transferable
Written-off vehicle	Conditions	Original insurer authorisation required
Car under 3 years old (no MOT yet)	Yes	Still of testable class. Inspection may be requested.
Agricultural machine or tractor	No	Does not require annual roadworthiness testing
Milk float	No	Same reason, exempt from testing requirement
Q-prefix registered vehicle	No	Permanently non-transferable by definition
NIQ-prefix registered vehicle	No	Permanently non-transferable
Vehicle with non-transferable V5C notation	No	Check the V5C before applying

Can You Assign a Retained Number to Someone Else’s Vehicle?

Yes. The grantee named on the form V778 can assign the retained number to any eligible vehicle, including one registered to another person named as the nominee.

Assigning to a Registered Vehicle

Apply online at gov.uk using the V5C document reference number for the receiving vehicle, or send the V778 and the receiving vehicle’s V5C to DVLA by post. The vehicle must have a valid MOT where required, be of a testable class, and the number must not make the vehicle appear newer than it actually is.

Assigning to an Unregistered Vehicle

If the receiving vehicle is new from a dealer, give the V778 to the dealer — they manage the assignment as part of the sale. If registering the vehicle yourself, complete the DVLA registration process first, then apply to assign the retained number once the vehicle has a valid V5C.

What Rights Does a Nominee Hold?

None until assignment completes. The nominee cannot instruct DVLA independently, cannot sell the number, and cannot claim it without your active decision. You retain full control as grantee at all times. Naming a nominee on the document places you under no obligation to assign to them.

Fees, Processing Times, and What to Expect in 2026

Action	Method	Fee	Processing Time
Retain a registration (online)	Debit or credit card	£80	A few working days
Retain a registration (postal)	Cheque or postal order	£80	2 to 4 weeks
Renew an existing V778	Postal only. Sections 5 and 6	Free	Up to 28 days
Add or change nominee after issue	Postal	£25	Standard postal timescale
Assign retained number to vehicle	Online or postal	No extra fee	2 to 5 working days
Combined V778 plus V750 application	Postal to local DVLA office	£80 + £80	Up to 8 weeks

Fee note

Renewing the V778 itself is free. The £25 fee applies only when adding or changing a nominee after the document has been issued. If you let the V778 expire without assigning the number, you lose all entitlement permanently, no refund and no appeal.

Where to Send Your V778 Application

Application Type	Send To	Address
New retention, postal	Your nearest DVLA local office	Find at gov.uk/dvla/localoffices
Renewal of existing V778	DVLA Personalised Registrations	DVLA Swansea SA99 1DS
Add or change nominee	DVLA Personalised Registrations	DVLA Swansea SA99 1DS, £25 fee applies
Chasing outstanding V778 or V5C	Cherished Transfer Section	Unit 1B, DVLA Swansea Vale, SA99 1BW
New retention, Online	gov.uk portal	Search “Keep a vehicle registration number”

How to Renew a V778 Retention Document?

Renewal is free and done by post only. The window opens exactly 28 days before the document’s expiry date. Applying earlier results in refusal. Applying after the expiry date results in permanent, irrecoverable loss of the registration.

Renewal Steps

Complete Section 5 of your existing V778 document
Sign Section 6
Post to: “DVLA Personalised Registrations DVLA Swansea SA99 1DS“
Allow up to 28 days for the renewed document to be returned

Renewal Timeline

30 days before expiry: Set your reminder now. Check the expiry date on the face of the V778.
28 days before expiry: Earliest date DVLA will accept your renewal application. Do not send earlier.
28 to 1 day before: Optimal renewal window. Complete Sections 5 and 6 and post to DVLA Swansea SA99 1DS.
Expiry date: Last possible day. Applications received after this date are refused without exception.
Day after expiry: Registration permanently revoked. No reinstatement. No appeal. No exceptions.

Penalties and How to Avoid Them?

Selling Before Retaining

The most common and most expensive mistake. Once the V5C shows a new keeper, that person may claim your registration. DVLA will not intervene. Apply at least one week before any private sale and three to four weeks before a lease ends.

Letting the Document Expire

Missing the 28-day renewal window by even one day means permanent, irrecoverable loss. DVLA sends reminder letters in some cases, but there is no guaranteed notification service. Set your own reminder 30 days before the V778’s expiry date.

Displaying Old Plates After Approval

Once DVLA approves the retention and the V803 form confirms the replacement registration, the old plates must be removed from the vehicle immediately. Displaying them after this point is a criminal offence under the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002.

Sending the Application to the Wrong Address

New retention applications go to your nearest DVLA local office only. Applications sent directly to DVLA Swansea or to any Post Office will be returned or left unprocessed. Check gov.uk/dvla/localoffices before posting.

Submitting Photocopies

Every document must be original. A photocopied V5C, MOT certificate, or insurer letter results in rejection and the entire application being returned, costing you weeks of processing time.

Frequently Asked Questions

The V778 proves you hold the legal right to a private registration number that has been removed from a vehicle. It keeps the number in your name for up to 10 years while you decide where to assign it, sell it, or pass it on. Without it, the registration reverts to DVLA permanently, and you lose all rights to use or sell it.

Download the V778 form PDF from DVLAFormsOnline.co.uk or apply online at gov.uk. Complete the application, attach original supporting documents, pay the £80 fee, and submit to your nearest DVLA local office. DVLA Swansea despatches the V778 certificate and your new V5C separately after the local office approves the application.

Yes for the initial application. Apply online at gov.uk using your V5C document reference number; this is the faster and simpler route. V778 renewals, however, cannot currently be completed online. Renewals must be submitted by post using Sections 5 and 6 of the existing physical document.

Retaining a number plate costs £80 in 2026, whether you apply online or by post. This covers removing the registration from the vehicle and holding it on a V778 for 10 years. Renewing the V778 before expiry is free of charge. Adding or changing a nominee after the document is issued costs £25.

Online applications typically complete within a few working days. Postal applications take two to four weeks from when the DVLA local office receives them. If a V62 form was submitted alongside the application, allow up to eight weeks. The V778 and the replacement V5C are despatched separately from DVLA Swansea and may not arrive together.

Yes. A registration held on a V778 expires if the document is not renewed before its expiry date. Documents issued from March 2015 carry a 10-year validity. Once expired, the registration is permanently lost and cannot be reinstated. Renew within the 28-day window before the expiry date printed on your document.

Yes. Apply online at gov.uk using the receiving vehicle’s V5C document reference number, or post the V778 and the receiving vehicle’s V5C to DVLA. The vehicle must have a valid MOT where required, be of a testable class, and the number must not make the vehicle appear newer than it actually is.

Yes. If the vehicle is new from a dealer, give them the V778, and they handle the assignment. If registering the vehicle yourself, complete the DVLA registration process first, then apply to assign the retained number once the vehicle has a valid V5C and document reference number.