Yes, you can put a private plate on a lease car. Because the vehicle is owned by the finance company and not you, there are a few steps to follow — but it is a straightforward process that many lease customers complete successfully every year. This guide covers exactly how to add and remove a private number plate on a lease car, what it costs, and what to watch out for.
Quick Answer
You can add a private registration to a lease car, but you must:
- Get written permission from your finance provider
- Change the nominee on your V778 or V750 document to the finance company
- Submit the paperwork to the finance company, who submit to the DVLA
- Wait for DVLA confirmation before fitting the plates
How to Add a Private Plate to a Lease Car — Step by Step
Step 1: Get Permission from Your Finance Company
The car is legally owned by the finance provider, so adding a private number plate to a lease car requires their approval. Contact them using the details in your agreement documents.
Important: most leasing companies will not approve a private plate before the vehicle is delivered — start this process once you have the car in your possession.
Step 2: Change the Nominee on Your Registration Document
Once you have permission, you need to update the nominee on your registration document to the finance company. This gives them the legal authority to apply the plate to the vehicle.
The form you need depends on how the plate is currently held:
- V778 Retention Document (green): use this if your plate is currently on retention
- V750 Certificate of Entitlement (pink): use this if you have recently purchased the plate
You can find full guidance on completing these forms on the DVLA website.
Step 3: Send the Documents to the Finance Company
Post or email the completed V778 or V750 to your finance provider. They will typically charge a small admin fee for processing. The finance company then submits the paperwork to the DVLA on your behalf.
Once the DVLA has processed the transfer, both you and the finance company will receive confirmation.
Step 4: Fit the Private Number Plates
Only fit your private plates after you receive written DVLA confirmation. Fitting them before this point can result in a fine.
Once confirmed, notify your insurance company of the new registration number before driving the vehicle.
How to Remove a Private Plate from a Lease Car
When your lease ends, you must remove the private plate and refit the original registration before returning the vehicle.
Around six weeks before the end of your lease:
- Contact the finance company and tell them you want to remove the private plate
- They will complete a V317 form and submit it to the DVLA to put the plate back on retention
- Refit the original number plates to the car
- Notify your insurer of the registration change
Cost: The DVLA charges £80 to retain a private plate, and your finance company may charge an additional admin fee.
Where Is Your Private Plate Currently?
| Situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Just purchased from DVLA | V750 Certificate of Entitlement |
| Currently on another vehicle | V317 to transfer to retention first, then V778 |
| Already on retention | V778 — update the nominee to the finance company |
Pros and Cons of Adding a Private Plate to a Lease Car
Pros:
- Personalise your vehicle or display your business name
- Makes the car more recognisable (can act as a mild theft deterrent)
- You keep the plate when the lease ends — it stays on retention for future use
Cons:
- Admin time and paperwork required
- Finance company and DVLA fees to factor in (typically £80–£150+ combined)
- Must be removed and reverted before vehicle return — plan ahead
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You need permission from the finance company who owns the vehicle, and you must follow the DVLA's transfer process. Once approved and confirmed by the DVLA, you can fit the plates legally.
Yes — private number plates on lease cars are common. The key difference from a privately owned car is that the finance company must act as the nominee on the registration transfer documents.
Yes. Contact your finance provider for approval, then update the nominee on your V778 or V750 form to the finance company. They submit to the DVLA and you'll receive confirmation when the transfer is complete.
Yes. Once the DVLA confirms the registration change, you must notify your insurer before driving. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy.
You keep it. Around six weeks before the lease ends, contact the finance company to remove the plate and put it back on DVLA retention. You'll pay the £80 DVLA retention fee. The plate remains yours to use on your next vehicle.
Most finance companies will not allow this. The process typically begins once the vehicle has been delivered to you.
The process typically takes 2–4 weeks from getting permission to receiving DVLA confirmation, depending on how quickly paperwork is processed.
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