number plate retention

[Ray]

ok, asking as i cant quite find the answer thru google, 1974 classic car, in 2012 the car was put back on the road just to have its original number plate removed, this was its original no. plate, and as far as i can see, that plate then became a cherished number plate, and was put on a motorbike, and the car was given a cherished number plate (not a dvla issued plate), which is now on retention

in 2013, the original 1974 plate was then taken from the bike and put on a 1995 mini sidewalk, which in 2014 was then SORN'd, and has been ever since

the MOT history of the mini is not good, loads of rot lol, and i doubt would ever move under its own steam without a lot of money spent

so my question is, can that, what was an original but now a cherished number plate, thats been on a SORN for 11 years, be taken off and put on retention, or does it have to stay with the car to either die with it, or wait till the car has an mot, which isnt going to happen any time soon

 

[BaileyMex]

I dont know the correct answer, but if it is sorned, the is it not still the property of the Mini owner, and would be down to them to decide to sell it on or not?

I was wondering if there a maximum period of time that you are allowed to SORN a car for, and Googled it, I got the below;

A SORN remains valid indefinitely until the vehicle's status changes or the declaration is cancelled. Once declared, it does not require renewal as long as the vehicle stays off public roads. However, the SORN automatically ends if the vehicle is sold, scrapped, or exported

[Xp197777]

I’m pretty sure the car has to be mot ed to transfer the plate

[Vista]

Sorry Ray, it sounds like you have a problem there. Car has to be MOT'd to transfer a number off it.

My brother has that problem with his cherished plate he had on his work van. The van is now scrap and a parts bin only. The DVLA will not budge on giving him the private plate back off it.

[Monza]

Agreed. Vehicle needs an mot before a reg no can be transferred. Never known why tho...

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[stephens_xpack]

My mums Porsche was written off in an accident, and she has her plate from the car, is that because it was MOT'd at time of accident? Because once written off it was no longer road worthy, roof cut off and all sorts.

[Vista]

10 hours ago, stephens_xpack said:

My mums Porsche was written off in an accident, and she has her plate from the car, is that because it was MOT'd at time of accident? Because once written off it was no longer road worthy, roof cut off and all sorts.

Yes (re MOT) she was wise to transfer it off before it expired 

[stephens_xpack]

On 14/08/2025 at 20:49, Ray said:

ok, asking as i cant quite find the answer thru google, 1974 classic car, in 2012 the car was put back on the road just to have its original number plate removed, this was its original no. plate, and as far as i can see, that plate then became a cherished number plate, and was put on a motorbike, and the car was given a cherished number plate (not a dvla issued plate), which is now on retention

in 2013, the original 1974 plate was then taken from the bike and put on a 1995 mini sidewalk, which in 2014 was then SORN'd, and has been ever since

the MOT history of the mini is not good, loads of rot lol, and i doubt would ever move under its own steam without a lot of money spent

so my question is, can that, what was an original but now a cherished number plate, thats been on a SORN for 11 years, be taken off and put on retention, or does it have to stay with the car to either die with it, or wait till the car has an mot, which isnt going to happen any time soon

 

In this case, isn't there someone you know that is prepared to just hand you a certificate, not as if you are going to get caught out on the road or in an accident but at least yoy could then retain the plate? The rule is a stupid one.