Cherished registration numbers
A cherished number plate is a 'chosen' registration number, rather than a standard issue 'next number in line'.
There are 10 bands of fees which apply to the cherished numbers incorporating MAN or MN and 14 bands for the MANX range of numbers (all inclusive of VAT). Details of the fees are shown below.
New registration numbers
A new cherished number can be purchased online or at any Post Office. If purchased at a Post Office the application form can be downloaded on this page.
A Retention Certificate will then be sent to the designated nominee approx. 4-5 working days after purchase.
Transferring a number
A Cherished Number can be transferred from one vehicle to another by re-registering the first vehicle with another number (which might be a standard £23 issue, or indeed another Cherished Registration Number). If the first vehicle has been scrapped or exported, you can simply ask to reuse/retain the number plate at a cost of £81. This service is not available online.
Holding onto a number
A Retention Certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue. The Certificate can be renewed a year later if necessary (at a cost of £23). The certificate renewal can also be done online.
Please note that if the renewal lapses the Cherished Number reservation would not be retained and it could be taken up by someone else. It is your responsibility to ensure that you don’t let the reservation lapse.
The Retention Certificate is an important document and should be kept in a safe place. The certificate will not be replaced if it is lost. When you are ready to put the number onto a vehicle the Retention Certificate must be produced with the appropriate vehicle registration documents. The Certificate is your proof that the number has already been reserved by you, and paid for.
The person whose name appears on the Retention Certificate must be the same as the name into which the vehicle is registered, unless the retention has been signed over to another person. (There is a place on the Certificate, which can be filled in and signed as appropriate; if the retention is being signed over there is a fee of £23).
The Vehicle and Driving Licensing Office
Department of Infrastructure
Highway Services Division
Vehicle Test Centre
Tromode
IM4 4QJ
Telephone:+44 1624 686843
Email:Send Email
Counter opening times:
Monday to Friday - 9am to 4.30pm
Fees
| Band | Cost | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £7,500 | MN 1-99 | MN-34 |
| MAN 1-99 | MAN-56 | ||
| 1-99 MN | 34-MN | ||
| 1-99 MAN | 56-MAN | ||
| 2 | £5,000 | MN 100-999 | MN-623 |
| MAN 100-999 | MAN-989 | ||
| 100-999 MN | 623-MN | ||
| 100-999 MAN | 989-MAN | ||
| 3 | £2,500 | MN 1000-9999 | MN-5555 |
| MAN 1000-9999 | MAN-6789 | ||
| 1000-9999 MN | 5555-MN | ||
| 1000-9999 MAN | 6789-MAN | ||
| 4 | £1,000 | MAN 1-99 x | MAN-19-T |
| x 1-99 MAN | T-19-MAN | ||
| 5 | £750 | MAN 100-999 x | MAN-123-X |
| x 100-999 MAN | P-123-MAN | ||
| 6 | £3,000 | xMN 1-99 | OMN-5 |
| 1-99 xMN | 92-OMN | ||
| 7 | £1,500 | xMN 100-999 | BMN-100 |
| 100-999 xMN | 100-XMN | ||
| 8 | £1,000 | xMN 1000-9999 | UMN-2468 |
| 1000-9999 xMN | 2468-YMN | ||
| 9 | £250 | xMN 1-99 y | YMN-12-K |
| 10 | £100 | xMN 100-999 y | PMN-350-A |
Fees for certain high-value registration marks
| Item | Registration marks | Fees (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MANX 1 | 100,000 |
| 2 | 1 MANX | 50,000 |
| 3 | MANX 007, MANX 888, 007 MANX, or 888 MANX | 20,000 |
| 4 | “MANX” followed by the number 001, 01, 2, 3, 5, 8, 911, or 999 | 15,000 |
| 5 | “MANX” preceded by the number 001, 01, 8, 911, or 999 | 15,000 |
| 6 | “MANX” followed by the number 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 26, 32, 40, 43, 46, 52, 53, 60, 69, 70, 80, 89, 90, 99, 147, 500, 928, 944, 958, or 986 | 10,000 |
| 7 | “MANX” preceded by the number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 26, 32, 40, 46, 52, 60, 69, 70, 80, 89, 90, 99, 147, 500, 928, 944, 958, or 986 | 10,000 |
| 8 | “MANX” followed or preceded by a number from 02 to 09 inclusive | 10,000 |
| 9 | “MANX” followed by the number 087, 088, 110, 124, 125, 129, 130, 135, 155, 156, 163, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 180, 182, 202, 203, 206, 207, 210, 220, 222, 250, 300, 307, 320, 323, 330, 333, 350, 355, 360, 365, 400, 407, 430, 444, 458, 504, 508, 535, 540, 550, 555, 575, 599, 600, 605, 607, 612, 626, 666, 700, 748, 750, 777, 800, 806, 900, or 998 | 7,500 |
| 10 | “MANX” preceded by the number 087, 088, 110, 124, 125, 129, 130, 155, 156, 163, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 180, 182, 202, 203, 206, 207, 210, 220, 222, 250, 300, 307, 320, 323, 330, 333, 350, 355, 360, 365, 400, 407, 430, 444, 458, 504, 508, 535, 540, 550, 555, 575, 599, 600, 605, 607, 612, 626, 666, 700, 748, 750, 777, 800, 806, 900, or 998 | 7,500 |
| 11 | “MANX” followed or preceded by the number 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 008 or 009 | 7,500 |
| 12 | “MANX” followed or preceded by a number from 10 to 99 inclusive (unless in item 6 or 7) | 7,500 |
| 13 | “MANX” followed or preceded by a number from 010 to 099 inclusive other than 087 or 088 | 5,000 |
| 14 | “MANX” followed or preceded by a number from 100 to 999 inclusive other than 888 or 999 or in item 6, 7, 9 or 10 | 5,000 |
