Introduction
Transferring a car's ownership in the UK takes a few forms and a few minutes. Skipping any part of it can leave the seller with fines for a car they no longer have and the buyer unable to tax or insure the one they've just bought.
Here's the step-by-step process for sellers and buyers, what to do online and by post, how to handle a lost V5C, trade sales, gifts and family transfers, and what comes next.
Summary:
- The V5C logbook is the key document. The seller updates it and the DVLA issues a new one to the buyer.
- The seller tells the DVLA. The free online service on GOV.UK is the quickest route.
- The buyer must tax and insure the car. Vehicle tax doesn't transfer with the car.
- Lost V5C or trade sale? Different steps apply. Check before handing over the car.
- Keep proof. A signed receipt and the DVLA's confirmation protect both sides.
Owner vs Registered Keeper
The registered keeper is the person named on the V5C. The keeper receives fines and is responsible for taxing the vehicle. The owner is whoever bought the car or received it as a gift.
The two can differ, as with some company cars. In most private sales they're the same person. Transferring ownership then means changing the registered keeper.
What You Need Before You Start
- The V5C logbook, in the seller's name
- The vehicle registration number
- The 11-digit document reference number from the front of the V5C
- The buyer's full name and address
- Proof of ID for both parties
- A signed receipt or bill of sale showing the date, price and mileage
The DVLA charges nothing for changing the keeper. Avoid any third-party site that asks for payment.
Step-by-Step Guide for Sellers
Step 1: Agree the sale and check the buyer's details. Confirm the buyer's full name and address. Check ID where possible.
Step 2: Take payment first. Make sure the money is in your account before the car and paperwork change hands.
Step 3: Tell the DVLA online. Use the GOV.UK service with the registration number, the 11-digit reference number and the buyer's details. The service updates the registered keeper and a new V5C is sent to the buyer.
Step 4: Give the buyer the green slip. The new keeper slip (V5C/2) acts as temporary proof until the new V5C arrives. The section number is 2 on newer logbooks and 6 on older ones.
Step 5: Keep the confirmation. The DVLA sends an email if an address was given, plus a letter confirming the seller is no longer the keeper.
Step 6: Cancel insurance. Do this only after the car has gone and the DVLA has been told.
Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers
Step 1: Check the paperwork. Confirm the seller's name and address on the V5C match the person selling. Match the registration and chassis number to the car.
Step 2: Run a history check. Look for outstanding finance, write-offs and mileage discrepancies before paying.
Step 3: Give the seller your details. The seller needs your full name and address to complete the transfer. An email address helps with confirmation.
Step 4: Insure the car. Arrange cover in your own name before driving away.
Step 5: Tax the car. Vehicle tax does not transfer to the new keeper. Tax the car before driving it or declare it off the road with a SORN.
Step 6: Wait for the new V5C. Kwik Fit and AXA both say it usually arrives within about five working days. Contact the DVLA if it hasn't arrived after a few weeks.
Transferring Ownership by Post
The online route is quicker. The postal route suits anyone without internet access.
- Fill in the new keeper's details in the correct section of the V5C.
- Have both parties sign the declaration of sale.
- Tear off the green V5C/2 slip and give it to the buyer.
- Post the rest of the V5C to the DVLA at Swansea, SA99 1BA.
Processing by post takes longer, often a few weeks. Keep a record of the filled-in V5C for the seller's files. Never share the 11-digit reference number publicly.
What If the V5C Is Lost?
The online service needs the 11-digit reference number. Without the V5C the seller must write to the DVLA. Include the seller's name and address, the registration number, the make and model, the exact date of sale and the buyer's name and address.
The buyer should apply for a replacement V5C using form V62, which costs £25. Buying a car without a V5C is risky. Many buyers wait until the seller has one.
Selling to a Motor Trader
Trade sales use a different part of the logbook. The seller completes the yellow "sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade" section and sends the perforated part to the DVLA. The trader keeps the rest.
The online service also has a trade option. Ask the buyer in writing who will notify the DVLA. Keep your own record either way.
Gifting a Car or Transferring Within the Family
The process is the same as for a sale. The current keeper completes the new keeper section, gives the green slip to the recipient and notifies the DVLA. Write "gift" or the agreed price on the receipt.
The recipient must tax and insure the car before driving it. Vehicle tax doesn't pass automatically, even between relatives.
If the Owner Has Died
A different process applies when the registered keeper has died. Follow the official GOV.UK bereavement guidance. Contact the DVLA's bereavement team if anything is unclear.
Keeping a Private Number Plate
To keep the registration number, take it off the car before telling the DVLA. GOV.UK is clear that this step must come first.
Tax Refunds After the Transfer
Telling the DVLA cancels the seller's vehicle tax. The seller can claim a refund for any full months remaining, calculated from the date the DVLA receives the information. Any Direct Debit is cancelled automatically.
What Happens If Ownership Isn't Transferred?
The seller stays the registered keeper in the DVLA's records. Speeding tickets, parking fines and tax reminders can keep arriving. Failing to tell the DVLA can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
Buyers who don't receive a V5C in their own name can struggle to tax, insure or later sell the car.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving the buyer to notify the DVLA instead of doing it directly
- Handing over the car before payment has cleared
- Not recording the buyer's full name and address
- Assuming the vehicle tax transfers with the car
- Sharing photos of the V5C or its 11-digit reference number
- Failing to keep a receipt and the DVLA's confirmation
Sell Your Car to Cardaddys
- Instant Car Valuation: Get an estimate in under 30 seconds from home, no phone call needed.
- We Come to You: We attend your location within 24 hours, inspect, and pay instantly.
- Expert Finance Solutions: Our team settles outstanding finance directly, removing a step most private sellers have to handle themselves.
When selling to any trade buyer, confirm who will notify the DVLA and keep your own record of the sale.
Conclusion
Transferring ownership comes down to a short list. The seller updates the V5C and tells the DVLA while the buyer insures and taxes the car.
Do the DVLA step on the day of sale and keep every confirmation. A few minutes of paperwork prevents months of unwanted letters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transfer ownership of a car in the UK?
The seller tells the DVLA online or by post and gives the buyer the green new keeper slip. The DVLA then sends a new V5C to the buyer.
Who is responsible for telling the DVLA?
The seller. The registered keeper stays responsible until the DVLA's record is updated. Failing to notify can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
How much does it cost to transfer ownership?
Nothing. The DVLA doesn't charge for a change of keeper. A replacement V5C costs £25.
Does car tax transfer to the new owner?
No. Vehicle tax doesn't transfer. The buyer must tax the car before driving it. The seller can claim a refund for any full months left.
How long does a new V5C take to arrive?
Kwik Fit and AXA both say online transfers usually arrive within about five working days. Postal transfers can take a few weeks.
Can I transfer ownership without the V5C?
The seller can write to the DVLA with the sale details. The buyer can apply for a new V5C using form V62 for £25. The online service needs the 11-digit reference number.