Registration marks are the property of the States of Guernsey and are assigned to private vehicles for registration purposes. However, vehicle keepers can apply for and purchase the 'right' to use a particular registration mark.

Definition Of “Special” Marks

The current definition of a “special” mark is a palindrome five digit number or consecutive five digit, or a five digit with two sets of doubles in it OR a one, two, three or four digit number for motor vehicles. It therefore follows that any other registration mark not included in these categories is deemed to be a non-special mark.

From time to time, the Department makes “special” marks available for sale either at public auctions or by sealed tender. Details of these sales, including the marks on offer, are published in the Guernsey Press and on this web site.

There are currently no special marks available for purchase from the Department.

Waiting List For “Non-Special” Marks

Anyone wishing to register their interest in a specific “non-special” mark has to pay a fee and complete an application form. This form plus payment of the fee entitles the applicant to have his or her interest registered on the waiting list for a specific “non-special” mark (see form available for download below for current fee for this service). A Certificate of Interest will be issued once the application has been registered and accepted. The mark may not be available and it may be the case that it never becomes available.

The fee includes the subsequent assignment of the mark to a specific vehicle. A Certificate of Entitlement will be issued on the occasion of the registration mark becoming available.

At the time a person makes his/her application, a check is carried out to see if the application is the only request for the mark. If another person has already made a request for that mark, the customer is advised of this fact and that the application cannot be accepted.

Retention Of A Mark

Where a person acquires a registration mark but does not wish to use (assign) it on their vehicle at the time of acquiring it, then the mark can be held on retention (reserved) for up to one year, subject to the payment of a non-returnable fee, which includes the subsequent assignment fee when the mark is placed on a specific vehicle. This period may be extended for a period of ONE further year upon payment of an extension fee. This must be paid before the expiry of the first period of retention in order to maintain continuity of the retention period.

Irrespective of how a mark is retained, the Department will IN ALL CASES, issue a Certificate of Retention. It will be necessary to surrender the Certificate of Retention before any number is assigned to a vehicle.

Exchange Of Marks

Where a customer retains and immediately assigns their existing registration mark on to a vehicle which is the subject of a first registration (i.e. not previously registered in the Island), the fee will be £29.50 in total.

Where a customer retains and assigns their existing registration mark onto a vehicle which is not the subject of a first registration, the fee will be £59.00 in total.

Spouses

A purchaser of any registration mark may, free of charge, at any time during the period of the validity of a Certificate of Retention/Entitlement, transfer in writing, the right of that certificate to his/her spouse. The spouse may have to pay a fee of £29.50 to have the mark assigned to their vehicle.

Fees

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Further advice and assistance is available by contacting the Department on (tel) 01481 243400 and asking for the Licensing and Administration Officer.