Key facts at a glance
- ✓ Leased cars: written permission from leasing company required
- ✓ PCP cars: you are the registered keeper — apply direct to DVLA
- ✓ Process takes 4–8 weeks; allow 6–8 weeks before lease end to remove
- ✓ Typical extra cost over the lease term: £180–£265
- ✓ New Reg has handled lease transfers for customers since 1996
Leased Cars vs PCP: Which Rules Apply to You?
The most important thing to get right first is whether your car is on a personal contract hire (PCH) lease or a personal contract purchase (PCP). The rules are meaningfully different.
PCH / Contract Hire (true lease)
With a PCH lease, the finance company is the registered keeper of the vehicle and holds the V5C logbook throughout the term. You never own the car, and at the end of the contract the vehicle is returned. Because the leasing company is the registered keeper, all DVLA registration changes must go through them — you cannot apply direct to the DVLA yourself.
This category includes: PCH (Personal Contract Hire), BCH (Business Contract Hire), fleet lease, salary sacrifice lease, and most van and commercial lease products.
PCP (Personal Contract Purchase)
PCP works fundamentally differently. From the moment you drive away, you are the registered keeper — your name appears on the V5C logbook. The finance company holds a financial charge against the vehicle, but they are not the registered keeper. This means you can apply directly to the DVLA for a registration change, exactly as you would with an outright purchase. No leasing company permission is required.
At the end of a PCP agreement you have three options: hand the car back, pay the balloon payment to own it, or part-exchange. If you plan to hand the car back, you must remove your private plate first, using the DVLA's retention process to protect it with a V778 document.
HP (Hire Purchase)
HP is similar to PCP in that you are the registered keeper from day one. The same direct DVLA application process applies.
The Complete Process for Lease (PCH) Cars
Step 1 — Get written permission from your leasing company
Contact your leasing provider in writing — email is sufficient — and explain that you want to fit a personalised number plate. Most of the major UK leasing companies handle these requests routinely:
- Lex Autolease — standard approval, £45–£55 admin fee
- Zenith / Novuna Vehicle Solutions — standard approval, £35–£50 admin fee
- LeasePlan / ALD Automotive — standard approval, £40–£60 admin fee
- Alphabet / BMW Financial Services — standard approval, check current fee schedule
- Smaller/independent leasing brokers — permission usually granted but timescales vary
If your leasing company refuses, see the section below on your options.
Step 2 — Gather your DVLA documentation
The correct document depends on the status of your plate:
- V750 Certificate of Entitlement — for a brand new plate purchased from the DVLA or a dealer like New Reg, not yet assigned to any vehicle
- V778 Retention Document — for a plate you already own that is currently "on retention" (held off a vehicle)
- V317 Transfer Application — for moving a plate from another vehicle onto your lease car. See our V317 form transfer guide for full details.
Both V750 and V778 documents are valid for ten years, so there is no urgency to assign them immediately if you are waiting for leasing company approval.
Step 3 — Submit through the leasing company
Because the leasing company is the registered keeper, they must countersign and submit the DVLA paperwork on your behalf. When you buy a plate through New Reg, our transfer team will prepare all documentation and coordinate with your leasing company directly — you simply forward us the approval email from your lease provider.
Step 4 — Wait for DVLA confirmation (2–4 weeks)
The DVLA will process the application and post written confirmation to the registered keeper (your leasing company). They will then forward this to you. Do not fit your new plates until you hold this confirmation — driving with unconfirmed plates is an offence and could invalidate your insurance.
Step 5 — Have plates manufactured and fitted
Take your DVLA confirmation to any DVLA-registered plate supplier. Plates typically cost £20–£40 per pair. Keep all documents — V750/V778, DVLA confirmation letter, and leasing company approval — as you will need them when your lease ends.
For guidance on what makes a plate road-legal, see our number plate rules guide.
Step 6 — Tell your insurer
Notify your insurance company of the registration change before you drive. Most insurers treat this as a minor amendment with no premium increase, but it is a policy condition. Keep a record of the notification.
Worked Cost Example: £1,500 Plate on a 3-Year Lease
To illustrate the full financial picture, here is a typical example:
| Item |
Cost |
| Private plate purchase (example) |
£1,500 |
| Leasing company admin fee (assignment) |
£50 |
| Plate manufacture and fitting |
£40 |
| DVLA retention fee at lease end |
£80 |
| Leasing company admin fee (removal) |
£45 |
| Total over 3-year lease |
£1,715 |
After the lease, you retain full ownership of the plate on a V778 retention document, ready to assign to your next vehicle at no further DVLA charge. If the plate is a good one, its market value may well have increased over the three years — many personalised plates appreciate over time.
What to Do at Lease End
Removing your private plate before returning a leased car requires advance planning. The DVLA process can take up to six weeks, so do not leave it until the final week of your lease.
- 8 weeks before return date: Contact New Reg or begin the V317/V778 retention process yourself
- Submit paperwork through leasing company: The same countersignature process applies in reverse
- DVLA issues V778: Your plate is now safely on retention, valid for 10 years
- Original registration restored: The vehicle reverts to its DVLA-assigned registration number
- Return the car: Vehicle handed back with original plates refitted — the leasing company supplies these if needed
If you are planning to transfer your number plate directly to your next vehicle rather than putting it on retention first, this can sometimes be done as a simultaneous transfer — ask New Reg whether this is possible for your specific circumstances.
What If My Leasing Company Refuses?
A small number of leasing companies — typically smaller or specialist providers — have a blanket policy against registration changes. If this happens, you have several options:
- Put your plate on retention: Keep it on a V778 document until your lease ends, then assign it to your next vehicle. The plate is safely preserved and accrues no costs during the retention period.
- Assign to another vehicle you own: If you have a second car or a family member's vehicle, you can assign and enjoy the plate on that vehicle in the interim.
- Factor into your next lease decision: When your lease ends, choose a provider with a clear and reasonable policy on private plates. Ask the question before signing your next agreement.
- Consider selling and repurchasing: If the plate has risen significantly in value, it may make sense to sell the plate now and buy a different one when you next own or lease a suitable vehicle.
Private Plates on Business Lease Vehicles
The process is identical for business contract hire (BCH) vehicles. As with personal PCH, the leasing company is the registered keeper and all paperwork goes through them. One additional consideration for business customers is that the private plate belongs to you personally, not to your business — ensure this is reflected correctly in any company vehicle policies.
VAT-registered businesses may be able to reclaim the VAT on plate purchases in certain circumstances. See our private number plate tax guide for full details on VAT, capital gains, and inheritance tax considerations.
How New Reg Handles Lease Car Transfers
New Reg has been helping UK motorists with private plate transfers since 1996. When you purchase a plate through us, our dedicated transfer team will:
- Prepare all DVLA paperwork in the correct format for your situation
- Liaise directly with your leasing company on your behalf
- Track your application through the DVLA and keep you updated
- Handle the removal/retention process at lease end if required
- Manage transfers between successive lease vehicles
We are familiar with the requirements and preferred procedures of all major UK leasing companies. Customers who have bought plates from competitors can also use our transfer service — search our full inventory or contact us directly to discuss your requirements.
Looking for inspiration? Browse dateless number plates — these carry no age indicator and never date your vehicle, making them particularly popular with drivers who change cars every two or three years on lease cycles.
