A cherished number plate is a 'chosen' registration number, rather than a standard issue 'next number in line'.
There are ten bands of fees which apply to the cherished numbers incorporating MAN or MN in addition to a further fourteen bands for the MANX range of numbers. All prices are inclusive of VAT.
Bands and fees can be viewed in the document below 'Cherished number fees' or at gov.im.
The format and additional information relating to the style of number plates can be viewed in the document below entitled 'number plate information'.
Choose a new cherished number plate by going online at gov.im. Choose your number and then call 01624 698525 to enable you to pay at your local post office or you can pay online. Please complete form 'C1 Cherished number application form' below to take to your local post office.
A Retention Certificate will then be sent out to the designated nominee within 10 working days of the purchase.
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 £29.00 next in line number or another cherished registration number). If the first vehicle is being scrapped or exported, you can simply ask to reuse or retain the number at a cost of £102.00. This service is not available online.
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 £29.00. The renewal can be done at your local post office or online at gov.im.
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 this will cost £29.00).
Please note that a cherished number can also be placed 'on hold' for 48 hours only, at no cost. In order to retain the number however, the appropriate fee would then become payable.
Isle of Man Post Office deals with most vehicle registrations. The contact telephone number is 01624 698525.
A vehicle that has been classified by an insurance company as written-off is dealt with by the Department of Infrastructure. A Retention Certificate can be purchased from them at the time of notification.
If you have any queries or require further information, please contact a member of our dedicated Licencing Team on 01624 698525 or email licensing@iompost.com.