How to transfer car ownership
If you’re selling your car – or gifting it to someone – you’re required by law to let the DVLA know about a change of ownership.
Discover how to go about this using your V5C, or logbook, and what happens if you fail to notify the DVLA.
Must know
You’ll need the 11-digit reference number on the front of your V5C before you can transfer ownership of a vehicle online.
In Short
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When do you need to transfer ownership of a car?
There are various reasons why you might need to let the DVLA know about a change of ownership. These include:
- Selling the car, including at auction
- Scrapping the car
- Gifting the car to somebody
- The death of the car’s owner
Under UK law, you must tell the DVLA whenever you sell, transfer or buy a vehicle.
How does the car transfer process work?
When you’re transferring ownership of your car, the V5C document plays an important role (you might know it better as the vehicle’s logbook). This is the official record of the registered keeper of a vehicle.
The keeper will need the V5C to tell the DVLA about a change in vehicle ownership. Once they’re made aware of it, the DVLA will update its vehicle record with the new keeper’s details and issue a new V5C in their name.
It’s worth noting that the V5C style changed in April 2019. So, any V5Cs issued after this date will have multicoloured numbered blocks on the front cover and different numbered sections to the old-style V5C.
How do I check if I’m the owner or registered keeper of a car?
Before starting the transfer of ownership process, you need to be sure you can make this legal change.
- The registered keeper is responsible for notifying the DVLA of the change of ownership. This is the person named in the V5C, or logbook.
- Only the person who legally owns the car can sell it. To sell a car on behalf of someone else, you’ll need their written permission.[2]
This generally isn’t an issue because the registered keeper and the owner are usually the same person. But not always. A classic example of where they differ is if you drive a company car. The company owns the car as they paid for it, but the employee who uses it day-to-day is the registered keeper.
If you don’t have the log book, you can ask for the name and address of a registered keeper by filling out form V888 on the DVLA website. There’s a fee for this service though.[3]
How do I transfer car ownership to another person?
As long as you have the right details to hand, the transfer process should be relatively straightforward.
You’ll either need to complete an online form or fill in the relevant part of your car’s V5C log book and send it off in the post.
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Transferring car ownership online
Before transferring ownership online, you should give the green ‘new keeper’ slip from your log book to the appropriate person. Then, visit the DVLA website and follow the steps below:
- Click ‘Start now’ and answer a series of questions
- Type in the car’s registration number
- Enter the 11-digit document reference number found on the front page of your V5C
- Enter the new owner's details, including their name and address
- Destroy the rest of the V5C.
The DVLA will confirm the ownership change by email. It will also send a letter confirming that you’re no longer the car’s keeper and give you a refund of any owed vehicle tax.
The new owner should receive a new V5C within five working days.[4]
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Transferring car ownership by post
If you prefer, you can transfer a car’s ownership by post instead. It’s just a slower process, that’s all.
- Fill in section 2 (on the new-style V5C) or section 6 (old-style V5C) with the new keeper’s details
- If you have the old-style V5C, both you and the new owner must sign the section 8 declaration
- Tear off the green ‘new keeper’ slip to give to the buyer
- Post the rest of the V5C to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA[5].
It may take the DVLA a few weeks to process the transfer, but you’ll usually receive either an email or letter confirming that they’ve successfully transferred ownership to the new keeper.
How do I transfer ownership to a scrapyard or dealer?
If you’re scrapping your vehicle or selling it to a dealership, you’ll need to follow the steps on the DVLA website or fill in the yellow section of the V5C.
If posting, tear off this section from the rest of the V5C and send it to the DVLA. If you’re using the online service, you can destroy the yellow section. You then give the rest of the V5C to the dealership or scrapyard. They will probably sort all this for you, but it’s best to check as it’s still your responsibility to make sure the DVLA knows about the change of keeper.
How do I transfer ownership of a car after a death?
If you want to sell a car after a bereavement, you’ll need to write a letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team explaining your relationship to the person who died.
- If you have the V5C or logbook, you’ll need to fill in Section 2 to sell to a private buyer (or section 6 of an old-style logbook). Give the green ‘new keeper’ slip to the buyer and send the V5C with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team, Swansea, SA99 1ZZ.[6]
- To sell to a dealer, fill in the yellow section of the V5C and send it with your letter to the DVLA at the address above. Give the dealer the rest of the V5C.
- If you don’t have the V5C, the buyer will need to fill in a V62 form to apply for a new V5C. There’s a £25 fee[7] for this.
What happens if you fail to notify the DVLA?
If you don’t tell the DVLA you’ve transferred ownership of the car, it will remain in your name. That means you’re liable for any traffic offences committed in the car, such as parking fines and speeding tickets.
You’ll also be breaking the law simply by not notifying the DVLA of a change of keeper. This could result in an out-of-court letter and a fine of £55 (reduced to £35 if paid within 17 days). If you fail to pay before the deadline, you could be taken to court, with a maximum penalty of £1,000.[8]
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Q&A
What is the difference between an owner and a registered keeper?
The registered keeper is responsible for the everyday use and maintenance of the car. Road tax and any fines issued will be in their name. The owner is the person who bought or was gifted the vehicle. They’re responsible for making sure anyone who drives the car has the correct paperwork, including insurance.
What is a V5C logbook?
A V5C logbook, or vehicle registration certificate, is an official document issued by the DVLA when someone registers a car with it.
Can I transfer ownership of my car without a V5C?
It’s possible to transfer ownership to the new keeper without a V5C. You should write to the DVLA, providing details of:
- Your name and address
- The car’s registration number
- The car’s make and model
- The date you sold the vehicle
- The new keeper’s name and address.
Can I tax a car if I’m not the registered keeper?
You can only tax a car if you’re the registered keeper.
Can I tax a car without a logbook?
You can now tax a car online without a V5C or logbook.[9] Previously, drivers who had lost their logbook or tax reminder letter would have had to wait up to five days for a replacement V5C to arrive, or phone the DVLA's Contact Centre to tax their vehicle. But you can now apply for a new V5C and tax your vehicle at the same time.
Can I transfer ownership to a family member?
You can transfer ownership of a vehicle to a family member. The process is the same as if you were selling to a private individual. Even if no money changed hands and you live at the same address, you’ll still need to inform the DVLA.
Sources
2 https://www.webuyanycar.com/guides/selling-and-buying-cars/how-to-transfer-ownership-of-a-vehicle/
4 https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle/y/no/sold-it/sold-it-privately-to-a-person-or-business
5 https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle/y/no/sold-it/sold-it-privately-to-a-person-or-business
As shown on V5C https://www.carveto.co.uk/blog/dvla-logbook/
6, 7 https://www.gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-bereavement/selling-the-vehicle