Another first world problem...Registrations again..

[skoda_fan]

Earlier this year (pre-lockdown) I bought a personal plate from DVLA and duly received the cert of entitlement. I have just gone on their website to try to assign it to a vehicle (which meets all their criteria re age, not a Q plate, etc) but at the end of the process it tells me the plate cannot be assigned on line and I must send them all the docs by post. Any idea why this should be? Is it because they are short staffed due to the virus? In which case I wouldn't have thought they'd want any more paperwork. Incidentally the receiving car (Mazda Eunos) does not have a "non-transferable plate" marked on the V5, which is another point that was giving me issues with the DVLA regarding a different car recently and took quite a bit of probing to get the correct info. All in all I don't seem to have much luck with them.

[hairnet]

maybe cos import - but if thats been here a while shouldnt make any difference?

 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

One reason, which can cause this ‘ not available online’ message is if at any time in the cars life it has been untaxed. Seems a bit petty but it’s caused 2 transfers for me to have to go in the post.Might be worth a call, if it’s something simple like that the person you speak to might be able to sort it so you can do it online, especially as I had an email from them the other day saying NOTHING will be done unless online. 
Id just whack it in the post and put the plates on, but then I’m a dodgy fucker with a very loose attitude to legalities.

[Kiltox]

Pretty sure they’re closed for anything in the post - so I wouldn’t bother at the moment since it’s likely to go missing!

[skoda_fan]

^ Yes on balance that's what I'm thinking. Think I'll shelve the idea for now. After all I've got till 2030 to assign it to a vehicle. Thanks for the replies...I didn't know about the untaxed side of things which I'm guessing explains it.