Getting Your Guernsey Number Plate For New And Old Vehicles

You must register your new vehicle before driving it around in Guernsey. Motor traders can temporarily attach trade plates to unregistered vehicles for moving until the cars have been registered.

Below, you will learn everything there is to know before approaching Driver and Vehicle Licensing (DVL) to process your Guernsey number plate.

How Does Guernsey Car Registration System Work?

Newly imported vehicles can be driven in Guernsey for up to 2 days after which you are required to keep them off public roads if they remain unregistered. This rule applies to permanent residents of the country.

If you are a new resident of Guernsey, you have up to 14 days to drive unregistered vehicles. The limited time frame above shows that registering your vehicle in Guernsey is very important.

To register a vehicle in Guernsey, the vehicle must have been successfully cleared by Guernsey Customs.

Only residents of the country or registered companies are allowed to register and the vehicles must be largely driven on Guernsey roads.

Eligible car owners should follow these steps to register their vehicles:

• Application Form:

Begin by completing the application form.

• Payment:

New registrations for all kinds of vehicles require a registration fee and sometimes, First Registration Duty. There is a one-off charge for used imported vehicles too. You can make payments using your debit or credit card.

Some vehicles are exempt from First Registration Duty and they require an exemption form to confirm the exclusion or seek special rates.

• Documents Submission:

For old vehicles, you will submit the vehicle’s recent registration document (V5C) or a Certificate of export from the area it was registered.

If your vehicle is new, present the manufacturer’s original security document with a Certificate of Newness and Certificate of Conformity. You should get your Certificate of Conformity before beginning registration.

Attach the pink and blue log books for vehicles imported using the UK Personal Export Scheme or Direct Export Scheme.

Here are other documents you will need to submit during the registration process:

• Proof of ownership or continuity of ownership document if you currently own the vehicle.
• A document showing the vehicle’s weight if your V55/1 does not contain the information.
• A document showing the width of the vehicle as oversized vehicles require a special permit.

Issuing Registration Number:

The final part of the registration process is where your vehicle is issued a Guernsey license number. You can also transfer a previously existing registration number to your newly registered vehicle. 

How To Apply For Guernsey Number Plates

You will receive your Guernsey license plate at the end of the registration. You also have the opportunity to use a retained registration number or exchange the license number of another vehicle.

To exchange registration numbers, present the Vehicle Registration Certificate and Exchange of Registration forms for both vehicles. The process attracts a fee that differs depending on the number of vehicles being exchanged.

Garages or motor accessory companies make the license plates so you can arrange to do that on your own.

How Much Is Car Registration In Guernsey?

All new vehicle registrations in Guernsey attract a £46 registration fee and an additional First Registration Duty for imported vehicles.

The carbon dioxide emissions figure is used to determine the Duty. For vehicles without known carbon dioxide emissions figures, the car’s engine size will be used to calculate the Duty cost. 

What Do Guernsey Car Number Plates Look Like?

Guernsey license plates have either white or silver characters on a black background. Alternatively, a Guernsey plate can have black characters on a white background for the front plates and black characters on a yellow background for the rear plates.

The number plates of Guernsey feature an oval emblem bearing Guernsey’s international vehicle registration code, ‘GBG’.

All the figures on the plates are either 3½ or 3⅛ inches high. 

Format Of Guernsey Number Plates

Guernsey plates have up to five digits which are issued sequentially. Unlike other British-dependent regions, these number plates do not contain letters.

Certain special numbers are auctioned separately as they are of higher value.

What Types Of Guernsey License Plates Exist?

Dignitaries like the Bailiff and Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey use special number plates. Hire cars in Guernsey have plates with a black letter ‘H’ on a yellow background to inform residents that the drivers of such cars may not be fully informed of the driving rules. 

Guernsey Custom Number Plates

You can exchange or retain registration numbers but Guernsey number plates are not customisable. Special registration numbers exist and the DVL auctions them.