Can a dealer be given a reg number before the new car is registered?

Don't think so - it's a realtime online process - they get a 'dealer login' to the DVLA site and 10 options pop up on the screen, they pick one (or call you if they are nice and you answer quick while they have the screen open), and then click Done and it's registered.

Yes we can. As Jose states above it is a log in service with X amount of options but any registration that is on the screen is available. The car does not have to be registered there and then to get the reg number though 

 

Hope that helps 

Thanks for the replies. I was given my reg number today but haven't been given a date when the car will arrive and have only signed an order form and paid deposit. Hopefully get it early next week.

I was given a choice...

What are the numbers in brackets and the extra digit following that?

 

In the old days we used to get allocated reg numbers in a block of 50, which then got hand written in to a little book, and when someone bought a new car we let them have a look and choose an available reg number!

I asked if I could pick a reg number & was told no.

The one I have been allocated is actually alright though.

As the car has been assigned a reg number it is now in the UK, so in theory yes delivery to your dealer some time next week would be feasible.

 

The letters in the brackets can also be numbers or exclamation marks etc. It's a security thing, I don't know exactly what for but that's what I'm lead to believe.

 

Reg numbers, the same with everything car buying related are dealer dependant - we will always issue a reg number to the car unless there is a note to say the customer wants to pick one but even if we've issued one and the customers says "oh can I choose one"? it's not an issue, two minutes and it's done, but we will charge for the 2 A4 sheets of paper we wasted   

If you see one on DVLA that you like in advance of the car arriving, you can buy that without actually having a car to put it on. I took the chance and bought  "14" reg when "63" was still in use expecting my car not to arrive early. And I was ok. Need to be careful that you don't end up with one in advance of the cars age as you can't use it. i.e. buy a "64" reg and the car arrives while "14" is in use, it cant be used.

I was lucky - my dealer called me for my SQ5 - I was going to put a private plate on, but then he offered me HJ13 SUX and I left it on!