I used the new DVLA online system to put my reg number on retention this morning. Much less hassle than the old manual system and I got instant confirmation that the old reg number has been assigned back to the car.

There's one thing I don't understand though. I still have to wait for the new V5 before I can get new plates made up for the car, but the instant nature of the online system means that the current plates on the car are no longer showing up on the DVLA as valid. I still have to wait 3-5 days (they say) for the new V5 to show up, so does this mean I risk being pulled by the boys in blue for having invalid plates on the car?

Does anyone have any experience of the system?

Not sure, but late last year I applied to change the plate on my car when my wife went into hospital. As a result, I drove round with the original plate on my vehicle for nearly two months and never had any bother.... 2007 Zermatt Silver TDV8 Vogue SE - now sold but was a great car!

I did the same last week and the new V5 turned up within 48hrs!

I wouldn't worry about the delay. I ran for almost 6 months without updating the insurance to the cherished number before the DVLA sent me a letter about it. They know it's the same car ultimately so they don't seem to worry about it.

As an aside, did you have any issues with the online system regarding insurance? I know the manual system was a bit difficult as they wanted certificates for both registrations if you used the local LVLA offices.

whatever you do -you must inform the insurance company as to what plate the car is now driven on, as its a totally different system to dvla, and the police use the insurance one, to fine you and give you 6 points etc. (if said plate is uninsured etc)

I've not seen the new system yet. I put two plates on retention last year, and the old manual system was a real ball-ache. Waiting for weeks on end for a piece of paper to arrive so you could then apply to have plates made up was archaic.

It's about time it was streamlined. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I did this last week. When you get the confirmation of the change they issue a retention code for you to use the plates on another vehicle immediately. They v5 came through after 3 days. Check your notification again, you might see it there, 2005 L322 Vogue Gold gone
2006 L322 Vogue Black gone
2011 L322 Vogue Silver gone
2011 L322 Autobiography Black gone
2015 L405 Autobiography LWB Black gone
2019 L405 P400e Range Rover Autobiography LWB Eiger grey / black roof gone
2001 P38a 30th Anniversary Wimbledon Green gone
2019 L405 P525 Autobiography LWB British Racing Green

You can get plates made up online without v5 or insurance. I use my show plates, just make sure you tick the British standard box. Never had an issue in ten years. 2010 - Range Rover VSE 3.6 TDV8
2014 - Defender 90 XS
2014 - Suzuki Swift Sport
2017 - GBS Zero
2006 - BMW Z4M Coupe (gone)
2004 - Discovery Landmark TD5 Auto (gone)
2008 - Defender 90 SX (gone)
2011 - Touareg Altitude (gone)

I use http://www.a1showplates.com/ order the UK Legal plates they are much much better quality than Halfords or similar and no docs required...

Just make sure you put a postcode in small writing where the dealer names goes.

Gary

Main Dealers will do your plates for you without too much hassle AND....they all seem to use the new aluminium backed plates which are vastly superior to the plastic ones. All the correct sizes with pre-drilled holes to fit the factory locations. Saves a lot of hassle for the sake of a few extra quid. I paid £25 the pair for mine.

The rule about producing a V5 is to prove ownership which is not an issue if the dealer sold you the car. They have other records which will satisfy the legislation.

I have recently bought a 2004 FFRR with what I am told are IRISH number plates fitted!
so the plate reads SHZ****. The plate holds no affinity for me or any of my family so I was thinking of changing it to a cherished one that would in some way have some sort of affinity.
I am not trying to hide the age of the car, I feel this is not important and it is more to do with condition. so I am not worried if the plate has to go back to the original.
Has anyone had any experience of Irish plates. and can the plates be sold on in the UK or swapped with one of the plate dealers. Eddie the eagle watch out 👀

Irish plates can be sold in the UK (Northern Ireland, not Eire) but are worth the square root of nothing to be honest. Maybe 100 quid on the bay and that's only if you can find someone who wants it. Plenty of blokes called Gary who like them 'cos loads have GAZ in them but not desirable at all really. Everyone knows they're cheap.

Check out any of the registration sites, including the DVLA. All have search functions and they start at 250 quid nicluding the 80 quid transfer fee. That's how I got mine (D50LDS) which was a snip at £325 +VAT, for me anyway, (D S Olds.) Worthless to anyone else. And that's the beauty of them, most are low value and there will be something which takes your fancy somewhere.

I'm impressed. I received the new V5 back in this morning's post - just 2 days after I applied online.

All done and sorted in 48 hours - I have to say that's a massive upgrade on the old system!

Indeed it is... Use to take a frustrating age

+1 for the fact it used to take ages  Geoff