FAQ
General
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What is rapid plates.co.uk?
Rapid Plates.co.uk is an innovative site aiming to simplify buying and selling registration marks.
We offer buyers the opportunity to use keyword technology in searching for registration marks.
We offer sellers the choice to place premium adverts for their registrations and have direct contact with buyers to negotiate OR place FREE adverts and allow Rapid Plates to facilitate the sale whereby a commission fee is applicable upon the successful sale of the reg mark, our services don’t stop here as we realise there are other areas we can utilise our experience and contacts to assist you.....and for this reason we have.....
The WANTED service.... to assist customers in locating their desired registration marks and as registration marks can be difficult to value we are pleased to provide our unique knowledge of the marketplace to offer a FREE VALUATION service to all users.
The Rapid Transfer Service is available to provide piece of mind when buying, selling or transferring registration marks regardless if bought/sold through Rapid Plates.
To enable businesses promotion of their trade with their respective company details on the bottom of registration marks we offer the BUILD service. For example Motor Traders can place their company name on the bottom of registrations marks.
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What is keyword technology?
Keyword technology is where specific keywords can be associated with a registration mark. Many standard search functions do not recognise a registration being associated to particular letters, numbers or names. For example searching for a STEVE registration using some standard search functionality can show results such as A34 EVE or 243 NVE, Rapid Plates allows sellers to assign particular keywords to their advertised registration thereby allowing buyers to view the required registrations where STEVE has been designated the keyword.
Buying
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Can I purchase ANY registration from the website to display on my vehicle?
No this will depend on the vehicle you wish to assign the registration, as you are only permitted to display a registration (number plate) that is either the same age from the first date of registration of your vehicle or older. It is illegal to display a registration making your vehicle appear younger than its first date of registration. For example, if your vehicle was registered in October 2002 it would most likely have a '52' registration plate, meaning it can only be replaced with either another '52' registration or any OLDER registration or any prefix, suffix or dateless registrations.
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Can any registration be transferred or sold?
No. Vehicles not subject to testing, such as a milk float or an agricultural machine cannot take part in a registration transfer. Some vehicles are also given non-transferable marks, this will be visible on the V5 (log book) stating 'This Registration Mark cannot be transferred to another vehicle'. It is imperative to be aware if the registration mark is transferrable before entering into any agreement.
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How can I buy a registration from rapid plates?
Rapid Plates use specialist keyword technology to enable you to find your desired registration within minutes of using the site. Once you have found the registration you require – contact the seller, this will either be Rapid Plates for our own stock and number plates we sell on behalf of clients or if you are replying to a premium advert it will be the seller themselves.
Negotiate a suitable price for the registration – mutually acceptable to both the buying and selling parties.
Rapid Transfer Service offers complete piece of mind when buying or selling registrations.
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What is a registration mark? What have I bought?
Registration marks are not items of property therefore a legal title to them is not purchased. Legally all registration marks are owned by the Secretary of State and can be withdrawn if DVLA regulations are contravened.
Buyers purchase the right to display the registration mark on their vehicle or that of an appointed nominee. Alternatively a registration mark can be registered on retention by completing the form V778/1
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The registration I am buying is on a vehicle. How do I transfer to my vehicle?
In the event of the registration mark being assigned to a vehicle, DVLA form V317 must be completed with details of both buyer and seller.
The completed V317 accompanied with the following documents can either be sent or presented to your local DVLA office
- Registration document V5C (LOG BOOK) for both donor and recipient vehicles.
- Valid MOT certificates for both vehicles.
- Photocopy of tax disc for both vehicles.
- £80 transfer fee.
Rapid Transfer Service offers complete piece of mind when buying or selling registrations.
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The registration I am buying is on a retention certificate. How do I transfer to my vehicle?
If the registration mark being purchased is on a retention certificate (DVLA certificate V750 OR V778) then the nominee or grantee depending on the respective certificates will need to me amended to show your name. This will entitle you to display the registration mark on your vehicle.
The completed V750/V778 accompanied with the following documents can either be sent or presented to your local DVLA office
- Registration document V5C (LOG BOOK) for the recipient vehicle.
- Valid MOT certificates for the recipient vehicle.
- Photocopy of tax disc for the recipient vehicle.
- DVLA transfer fee £25 is assignment fee has been paid or £105 if it has not.
Rapid Transfer Service offers complete piece of mind when buying or selling registrations.
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How will I know when the transfer has taken place? How long does it take?
In most cases you should receive the DVLA V948 Number Plate Authorisation Certificate, tax disc and MOT certificate displaying the newly assigned registration mark within 10 working days of making the application.
Once these documents are received you are free to have the actual number plates manufactured from an authorised number plate supplier or if you use our SPECIALIST TRANSFER SERVICE we can provide them FREE OF CHARGE.
The new V5C can take 2-6 weeks to be returned.
Rapid Transfer Service offers complete piece of mind when buying or selling registrations.
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What if I can not find the specific registration I want?
In the eventuality you have been unsuccessful in finding your desired registration mark Rapid Plates offer the WANTED service. In this instance upon completion of the WANTED form an advert is placed on the WANTED page.
This is to make web visitors aware it is a registration in demand. Alongside this we will initiate a search process with other associated dealers and contacts upon your behalf and endeavour to present you with the desired registration mark.
Selling
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How do I sell my number plate?
We offer sellers the choice to either place premium adverts for their registrations currently £10 and have direct contact with buyers to negotiate OR place FREE adverts and allow Rapid Plates to facilitate the sale whereby a commission fee will be applicable upon the successful sale of the registration mark.
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How do I sell my number plate if it is on a vehicle?
DVLA form V317 must be completed with details of both buyer and seller.
The completed V317 accompanied with the following documents can either be sent or presented to your local DVLA office
- Registration document V5C (LOG BOOK) for both donor and recipient vehicles.
- Valid MOT certificates for both vehicles.
- Photocopy of tax disc for both vehicles.
- £80 transfer fee.
Rapid Transfer Service offers complete piece of mind when buying or selling registrations.
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How do I sell my number plate if it is on a retention certificate(V750 OR V778) ?
If the registration mark is on a retention certificate (DVLA certificate V750 OR V778) then the nominee or grantee depending on the respective certificates will need to me amended to show the name of the buyer. This will entitle them to display the registration mark on their vehicle.
The completed V750/V778 accompanied with the following documents can either be sent or presented to your local DVLA office
- Registration document V5C (LOG BOOK) for the recipient vehicle.
- Valid MOT certificates for the recipient vehicle.
- Photocopy of tax disc for the recipient vehicle.
- DVLA transfer fee £25 is assignment fee has been paid or £105 if it has not.
Rapid Transfer Service offers complete piece of mind when buying or selling registrations.
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How will I know when the transfer has taken place? How long does it take?
In most cases you should receive the DVLA V948 Number Plate Authorisation Certificate, tax disc and MOT certificate displaying the assigned registration mark within 10 working days of making the application.
Once these documents are received you are free to have the actual number plates manufactured from an authorised number plate supplier or if you use our SPECIALIST TRANSFER SERVICE we can provide them FREE OF CHARGE.
The new V5C can take 2-6 weeks to be returned.
Rapid Transfer Service offers complete piece of mind when buying or selling registrations.
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Why is someone elses name and address on my retention certificate (V778)?
If a registration has been purchased from one of our clients their name and address will appear as the grantee (official owner). Therefore it is imperative to assign the number plate to your vehicle ASAP ie before the certificate expiry date, as the renewal letter will be sent to the grantee.
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Who is the 'purchaser' on a V750?
The purchaser will either be the party who bought the registration mark before it was assigned to a vehicle or the party listed as the Registered Keeper on the V5C (log book).
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Who is the grantee (V778)?
The grantee is the person named or party holding power of authority of the document/registration. Once a registration mark is transferred to a vehicle in the name of the nominee, the grantee loses his power of authority over the registration.
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Who is the nominee (V750/V778)?
The nominee is the party listed on either the V750 OR V778 as having the right to assign the registration mark to a vehicle registered in the same name. Therefore it is imperative to know the exact name of the party wishing to assign registration mark on their car as appearing on the V5C.
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Can I make offers for advertised registrations?
The majority of registrations offered on Rapid Plates are derived from our own stock and on behalf of our customers therefore the registrations have been carefully valued on what we believe to be an accurate market price. However as the market changes we are aware you may have a different opinion and differ on what you are willing to pay, as such we can present your offers to the concerned parties to analyze.
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How much commission will be applicable upon the sale of my number plate?
Commission fees are applicable with FREE adverts whereby Rapid Plates have negotiated on your behalf in selling your number plate. In this situation the commission margin can vary from 10% to 15%, this will be deducted from the final selling price.
For example if you wished to advertise your registration for £1000 we will market the registration at £1150 and upon a sale we would return £1000 to yourself and retain £150 to cover costs.
Please note commission fees are not applicable on PREMIUM adverts as buyers and sellers have direct contact to negotiate.
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Why does the commission vary?
Rapid Plates add 15% to all FREE advertised registrations where sellers wish to obtain up to £2500, this then slides to 10% for registrations up to £4500. In all instances where sellers wish to obtain more than £4500 a 10% commission will be applied to the advertised fee.
Please note commission fees are not applicable on PREMIUM adverts as buyers and sellers have direct contact to negotiate.
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What is a retention certificate ?
A retention certificate is usually referred to as DVLA form V778, this document allows you to own the rights to a registration mark without assigning it to a vehicle.
According to the DVLA Retention Scheme you are able to remove a registration mark without assigning it to a vehicle, in which case it is assigned to the retention certificate.
Renewal of the V778 must take place every 12 months if the registration is not transferred to a vehicle, the current DVLA fee for renewal or amendment is £25.
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What is the assignment fee?
This is the DVLA fee for recording the transfer, updating their records and issuing new documents when transferring registrations marks. The current DVLA assignment fee is £80.
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Unable to find that special registration?
Through our extensive knowledge of the marketplace and network of independent dealers, we will endeavour to match you with your desired registration. Place a FREE WANTED advert to alert other viewers of your requirements.
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Has your question been answered?
If not, you can email us any queries or questions at info@rapidplates.co.uk
Contact details for the DVLA are;
Email - vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk
Telephone - 08702400010
Write -
Vehicle Customer Services (VCS)
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AR -
What is a DATELESS style number plate?
Dateless registrations do not incorporate a year identifier, they can range from containing 2 digits to 6 digits consisting of a letter combination followed by a number combination and vice versa.
Examples:
1A / 1BB / 1CCC / 12DD / 12EEE / 123F / 123GG / 123HHH
A1 / B12 / C123 / DD12 / EE123 / FFF1 / GGG12 / HHH123
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What is a SUFFIX style number plate?
Suffix registrations incorporate the year identifier at the end of the registration, they are displayed as three alphabetic letters excluding I Q and Z followed by numbers ranging from 1-999 and ending in an alphabetical letter as the age identifier.
Examples:
AAA 1D / ABC 12D / CBA 123D
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What is a PREFIX style number plate?
Prefix registrations incorporate the year identifier at the beginning of the registration, they are displayed as the year identifying alphabetical letter followed by three numbers ranging from 1-999 and end in three alphabetical letters excluding I Q or Z.
Examples:
A1 AAA / A12 ABC / A123 AAA
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What is a CURRENT style number plate?
Current style registrations are displayed as
- Two alphabetical letters - these are the local identifiers, indicating the locations where the registration was issued.
- Two numbers indicating the year of issue.
- Three alphabetical letters excluding I and Q.
Examples:
AA51 ABC / BB52 AAA / AB53 ABC
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Why are the letters I Q and Z not used in registraions?
The letters I Q and Z are not used in registration marks as they have a close resemblance to the number 1, 0 and 2.
Exceptions:
- Irish style plates use letters I and Z
- Current style registrations use the letter Z
While every effort has been made to ensure the above information is correct and accurate, it is not intended as a definitive guide. We will not be held to conditions or terms that, through accidental error or omission are incorrect. Such error will be corrected as we become aware. Please refer to the DVLA for full rules and regulations.
