License plate retention

[Edward Bridge]

I'm considering doing my first bike restoration project and may have found a suitable one. However the seller informs me that he wishes to keep the plate since it is over 50 years old - and is probably worth than what I may be paying for the bike. How does this stand for me if I need to register the bike when complete? What will I have to do?

[L.A.B.]

Lisense plate

Firstly what you should be referring to is 'registration mark' (or number) not 'license (or licence) plate' as you appear to be in the UK.

I'm not totally sure of the correct procedure but as far as I know the present owner has to apply to retain the registration mark of the bike before selling it, the DVLA should then (I think?) issue a non-transferable registration to the bike.
However in order for the owner to do this the vehicle has to be taxed and MOT'd so needs to be roadworthy.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/PersonalisedRegAndNumberPlates/PersonalisedRegAndNumPlatesArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4022576&chk=w0kUgB


If the vehicle isn't registered on a V5C registration document then the present owner may not have any automatic right to use (or keep) the original registration mark?

The DVLA would give you more information about this if no-one here can tell you more.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/welcome.htm