The Cherished Transfer Scheme is used to transfer a registration mark from its assigned vehicle to another. The registered keeper of the assigned vehicle is the only person authorised to make this application, using form V317 ‘Application to Transfer or Retain a Vehicle Registration Mark’. The fee for this process is £80 made payable to DVLA.

It is important to note the benefits and restrictions, which are specific to this scheme. For example, only testable vehicles can participate in the Cherished Transfer Scheme. This means that vehicles such as milk floats and tractors are exempt. Motorcycles and mopeds are, however, eligible to participate.

With regards to MOT testing, a valid certificate must be held if the vehicle is more than three years old. In addition, the vehicle from which the registration mark is being transferred, known as the donor vehicle, must be available for inspection to confirm its authenticity.

It is possible to make an application to transfer the registration mark from a donor vehicle that has an expired tax disc, as long as the tax expired less than 12 months beforehand and there was no gap between the expiration of tax and the SORN declaration.

The recipient vehicle for the private registration plate must also hold a valid tax disc. If the registration mark is being transferred to a vehicle, which is already registered, its assigned mark will become void unless an application to transfer or retain the mark is made simultaneously.