A strict DVLA rule is putting thousands of private number plate holders at risk of losing their registrations for good — even if they were never properly notified. With no appeals process and no reinstatement options, once a plate expires, it’s gone forever.
The earliest of these expired registrations began lapsing on 9th March 2025, and government officials have confirmed there will be no opportunity for recovery — even in cases where the certificate holder was unaware.
Antony Clark, Marketing Manager at Plates4Less, said: “The Department for Transport has created these rules without considering the end user in an ethical or equitable way. There is no benefit to anyone else, yet owners who believe they hold a valuable asset are being stripped of their rights overnight.”
Clark explained that the DVLA only attempts to contact owners once, using the postal address listed on the registration certificate. This is often out of date, especially if the owner has moved but hasn’t updated their certificate details.
“Many assume that updating their driving licence or vehicle details automatically updates their certificate-held registration marks, but this is not the case. Owners must update the address on each certificate individually unless the registration mark is stored in an online account, which is not available for all registrations.”
Based on its internal data, Plates4Less (part of VRM Swansea) estimates that up to 20% of private number plate owners could be affected — leading to a significant loss of registered plates, millions in asset value, and over £320,000 annually in prepaid DVLA transfer fees being written off.
The company has already come across several cases in which owners were unaware their certificate had expired until they tried to sell or transfer their plate — by which time it had already been erased from the system.
In response, Plates4Less has published a new Private Plate Protection Guide, offering expert advice on:
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How to check if your registration is nearing expiry
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What to do if no DVLA reminder has arrived
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How to correctly update your certificate details
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Why assigning a plate to a vehicle can protect it
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What steps to take if a registration is linked to an old name or address
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Ways to guard against fraud and unauthorised use
Antony Clark warned: “The DVLA has no obligation to reinstate an expired plate, even if it’s worth tens of thousands of pounds and if the owner was never properly notified. Thousands of owners are at risk of waking up to find their valuable registration has simply vanished. The government has no plans to resell these plates or compensate affected owners – they are just lost forever.”
He added: “If your private number plate is held on a V750 Certificate of Entitlement or a V778 Retention Certificate, we recommend checking the certificate for its expiry date (and noting it in your diary). Most importantly, make sure the certificate is registered in your name and that your contact details and address are up to date with the DVLA.”
To access the complete protection guide and ensure your number plate is secure, visit the Plates4Less website.
