I'm getting home soon after a couple of months abroad. Car was garaged and sorned. Before I left I got myself a new plate but I haven't put it on yet. I've got the plates and paperwork ready but now have the dilemma, Insure and tax the car first then go through the hassle of changing the docs after or wait the extra time to get the V5 cahnaged.

My question is how long will it take at the DVLA office. My car at my Parents house nowhere near a DVLA office but I am having an overnight stay in Glasgow where I'll have time to get to the DVLA. Will the change take place there and then allowing me to have the insurance arranged for the new plate.

OR is there some kind of certificate allowing not to change the insurance. I've bought other cars which had receipts of plate chages. Is that enough for you insurer to keep you insured or get through a police document inspection. i.e. the insurance cert says Y$$$ GGG but the car has M3 XXX, here is my cert to say this car used to have reg Y$$$ GGG, if you understand what I mean

finnie don't know about Glasgow dvla but i've done 2 recently over at edinburgh.

Just seems to be pot luck depending on how busy they are - first one they were really busy (end of month!) so took all the docs and sent out about a weekish later.

Second one,  nice and quiet, they got me to run out and get my tax disc and gave me new tax disc and mot there and then - so could get plate straight onto car  still waiting on v5 a month later tho!

Insurance is not a problem either way, just give em a call with new reg no. mine didn't even charge for the change.

Dunno if it'll be different tho if you've gotta tax the car as well when you're there - i'd give em a call.