Telling DVLA About a New Keeper of a Car

Steps to Take When the Car Remains in the UK or is Being Exported

Don’t Miss Out on any Road Tax Refunds You Might be Due

If there are exceptional circumstances, such as a bereavement, visit our DVLA Transfer Ownership drivers guide.

What to do if you Sell a Vehicle

Read on: Sold Car DVLA

What do you need to tell DVLA when you sell a vehicle online or in person?

You must update your V5C vehicle registration document (DVLA Logbook) if you have:

• Made any changes to your car that DVLA need to be made aware of (this can impact emissions, MOT testing and road tax status)
• Changed your name or address or other personal information

If you don’t tell DVLA about changes after a sale or transfer of a car, you may miss out on road tax refunds.

When Selling a Car

You'll need the V5C registration document if Selling a Car online.

It is good to let the buyer have a look at it so they can ensure it is genuine and matches your vehicle. If you sell to trade, they’ll keep the log book and complete the yellow ‘Sell Car To Trade’ section. You must send this section to DVLA.

However, please do not give them the logbook document reference number or provide them with an image of your vehicle logbook. If a third party has this much information, they can easily defraud you and get a fake logbook, which often contributes to cloned or stolen cars.

If you have a vanity plate (private number plate) that you plan to keep and transfer to a new vehicle, apply for removal from DVLA before you sell.

Check our DVLA Number Plate Check service.

After You Have Sold Your Car

If the buyer keeps your old car in the UK, give them the green ‘new keepers supplement’ slip from the V5 logbook.

You must notify the DVLA of a sale or transfer and provide the new keeper’s full name and address.

Should the car be exported abroad, complete the ‘permanent export’ section of your V5 logbook.

Send this slip to DVLA, Swansea, SA991BD. Do not send the logbook to DVLA, as the new owner needs it to import into a new country.

However, include a letter with your slip stating the new owner’s name and address.

You can Check Vehicle Details to support service records and build trust with potential buyers.

Remember to pick up any road tax refund after a permanent exportation of a car.

If You're Yet to Sell Your Car

Related articles: Outstanding Vehicle Finance Checks