Can you change the registration number or county of a car?

robdonn

I am currently looking at purchasing a second hand car but I was wondering if it's possible to change the registration number or county?

Reading THIS thread they talk about having the ability to change the county registration was part of the original SIMI proposal but I can't find any info as to whether this was actually introduced.

And if it's not possible with cars originally registered in Ireland, can it be done with cars imported from the UK that only received an Irish registration after import?

(And no, I'm not looking to change it to a 'D' reg 😅 )

bazz26

Simple answer - no.

robdonn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524285#Comment_119524285

Is there a not-simple answer or is it just no?

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524727#Comment_119524727

It's 99.99% NO.

bazz26

Because the Department of Transportation who govern motor vehicle regulations won't allow it.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524727#Comment_119524727

Its just a no

lawred2

Not possible.

But also why?

kuro2k

its only possible if car is new and hasn’t been taxed

I told ya

I've been told that if you buy a car from CAB/auction, it will either have a new number (but same year) or you can apply to change it.

Don't know, just what I've been told.

td2008

It's possible but you would need to export the car , claim the vrt rebate and reimport it and it will get a new registration 🙂

robdonn

Thanks everyone for the responses!

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524928#Comment_119524928

I'm open to correction but to do the above, the vehicle also has to be re-registered in another jurisdiction and you would have to wait for 6 months before re-importing it.

elperello

If you buy a classic car that has a year/county/number type plate you can change it to a ZV series plate.

wotzgoingon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524831#Comment_119524831

It's probably a Dublin reg and he wants a Mayo or Kerry reg.

CiniO

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524928#Comment_119524928

Exactly that... That's the only way to do it, and I can bet it wasn't intention of lawmakers, but such option became available accidentally. Doesn't change a fact that it's possible though.

CiniO

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119526171#Comment_119526171

Yes, it would need to be registered abroad, but I don't see any reason to wait for 6 months before bringing it back to Ireland.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119526872#Comment_119526872

The reverse is also possible for a car that may have a reputation of being driven to death in certain counties. Hot hatches, TDI VWs and similar have better value with a D reg.

I had wanted a DL plate for my car, and had the address to get it; but it had actually been pre-reg (got a significant discount for that) - despite knowing that it would probably damage its resale value.

robdonn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119526872#Comment_119526872

Actually it's a Sligo reg and my wife wants a Roscommon reg. No idea why it matters to her but I told her I'd look into it.

wotzgoingon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119527536#Comment_119527536

Right I agree with her the only Sligo reg car I would get in would be a hearse and I would have no say obviously since I'd be dead.

Tigerpants

I imported a lorry from the UK which was originally an Irish lorry.

When I vrt'ed the lorry, I was given its original irish reg

Glaceon

I've noticed this with former Dublin Bus buses that were exported to the UK and later returned. Most got their original Irish reg back but there were some in Cork that were given a different registration. Same year but different county.

Tork

Same thing happened to relatives of mine though in reverse. They bought a UK import and got an Irish number plate. Then they moved to the UK and it got its old reg back.

CiniO

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119615319#Comment_119615319

Did you actually have to pay VRT on that lorry, considering VRT was already paid on it when first registered in Ireland ?

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119615319#Comment_119615319

There won’t have been any VRT to be refunded if it was a proper lorry hence why its original reg would have been available.

mikeecho

Even it's 30 yrs old you can get a zv plate.

Other than that, your stuck with what you have.