When you pass the custody of a car from one person to another, you must inform the DVLA that it has a new registered keeper. In the UK, the registered keeper of a car is the person whose name appears on its V5C document.
The registered keeper is the person responsible for insuring and taxing the car, as well as ensuring it meets all legal requirements when it’s in use on the road. However, it’s worth mentioning that the registered keeper isn’t always the owner of the car.
For example, if you’re financing a car on a PCH agreement, the company you’re leasing it off will own the vehicle. However, you’ll be listed as the registered keeper on the V5C because, as the driver, you’re responsible for any driving offences and fines the car might in incur.
When you sell your car (or just transfer its ownership to a new person), you must replace your details on its V5C with the new keeper’s to ensure you’re not held liable for their actions, or made accountable for their failure to insure and tax the vehicle.
Changing the registered keeper of a car is not supposed to be a difficult process, although it can be a little daunting if you’ve never done it before. If you need some advice, we’ve put together this simple guide to make the transition as stress-free as possible.
How do I notify the DVLA that I am a new keeper?
Any vehicle you buy should be accompanied by a V5C certificate, or logbook. This is normally a red paper document, although some older cars might have a blue equivalent. Anyone selling a vehicle must inform the DVLA of the transfer as a legal requirement, and failure to do so can result in a fine or prosecution.
If you’re selling, it’s in your best interest to register the new keeper to the car as soon as possible. Until you do, you remain responsible for any driving offences and unpaid fees linked to the car.
Registering a new keeper is a straightforward process. You either fill in and post the green ‘new keeper’ slip (officially known as the V5C/2) to the DVLA, or complete an online form on the DVLA website.
The online option is pretty much the default choice these days. It’s the quickest way of registering a new keeper, with the DVLA’s records being updated instantly during office hours. It also avoids the risk of losing documents in the post.
If you are posting the V5C to transfer ownership, do not forget to tick the new keeper box. You can also add a date of birth, driving licence number and the car’s current mileage if you wish; this is optional, but helps the DVLA maintain records to prevent fraud such as clocking.
Both the outgoing registered keeper and the new keeper must sign and date the certificate before sending it to the DVLA. The new keeper should also complete the green slip on section 10 of the certificate, also known as a V5C/2, and should keep hold of it until they have received a new V5C stating their details.
If you are a buyer who does not have a UK address, the person you bought the vehicle from should give you the whole V5C log book to register the car in another country. You will also need receipts and paperwork to prove what you paid, if you plan to export the car.
Changing the registered keeper to a dealer
If the transfer involves selling to a car dealer, then the process will require both parties to sign section 9 of the V5C certificate, also known as the V5C/3. At this point, the dealer will take possession of the V5C.
The dealer then notifies the DVLA of the change of ownership, and the seller should receive an acknowledgement within four weeks. VED (road tax) direct debits, if you have them, will be cancelled by the DVLA and you will receive any refunds you are due for whole months of unused VED. As a rule, once you have left your car with a trader you should use the online service to cancel your car tax as they may not post paperwork off immediately.
Can I transfer my car number plate registration online?
Yes. It costs £80, and should be done before changing the registered keeper if you want to keep your private number plate. If you’re exchanging one private plate for another, you should take the existing one off before applying the new one. We have a full guide to transferring and retaining personalised registrations that covers using and selling private plates.
The important thing to remember is that, if you change the registered keeper of a car, online or by post, you lose the right to the cherished number if you don’t take it off the car first.
To apply a cherished number, the vehicle must be taxed or have a valid Statutory Off-Road Notice (SORN). A car that has just been transferred to your name won’t have that until you complete the next stage of the ownership transfer process.
What about transferring my car tax?
You can no longer transfer existing road tax to a new owner, nor can you transfer your tax from one car to another. Once the V5C details have been transferred, the car must be taxed or declared SORN under the name of the new keeper.
Therefore it’s important that the car is taxed on the day of purchase, either online or by taking your V5C/2 to a Post Office that can file car tax applications.
Once you have sold or transferred your vehicle on to its new owner, you will automatically receive a refund of any whole months of VED that are no longer needed. However if you are posting the logbook near the end of the month, you can simply cancel your VED road tax online.
How to transfer car ownership to a family member
You just follow the same process as though you were selling the vehicle. You will need to notify the DVLA of the new registered keeper and ensure the car is taxed in the name of the new owner.
Taking your new car home
Bear in mind, if you intend to drive the car home on the day of purchase, you will need to have valid road tax and car insurance for the new car. If the seller claims the car is still insured and you have third-party cover, check on the AskMID website for a valid insurance record. However, it’s best to get your own cover.
Avoiding scams: how do you know if the logbook is genuine?
V5C documentation, like a lot of other official paperwork, is vulnerable to scam artists. V5C forgeries aren’t common but they do occur. Scrap fraud is a one of the most popular scams. This is when a dodgy garage insists your car’s a write-off, then offers to scrap it for free. Beware, though – to do so, the garage needs the whole V5C.
When buying a used car, check for the watermark on the V5C—official paper has large text with the letters ‘DVL’ from top to bottom. Also consider doing a CAP HPI check to check the history of the vehicle you’re buying. That ought to uncover any red flags.
You can also use the V5C 11-digit reference number to access detailed MoT history, which will verify that it’s the latest version issued on record with the DVLA. If a seller has ‘lost the logbook’ but still has the green V5C/2 slip, the same test will show if one was issued to them. Beware – if you can download MoT certificates with it, then the car was never registered in their name.
Is the V5C proof of ownership in a divorce?
In a divorce, the distinction between owner and registered keeper can be confusing as the V5C is often the only legal document linking the car to the person. If one partner has a Ford Focus in their name, and the other partner’s Ford Fiesta is also in their name, both cars will be considered assets of the first partner, not the second. That’s even if the second partner pays for their insurance, fuel and tax, or had paid for or financed the Fiesta.
Even if a vehicle isn’t being sold per se, it may be worth ensuing the paperwork reflects the situation you wish to be in legally and transfer the registered keeper of the vehicle appropriately.
What if I don’t receive a new V5C or logbook?
The V5C/2 is important here. If the V5C was posted off and you did not receive a new copy, or an online change of ownership hasn’t reached you within two weeks (it’s usually a couple of days), you can apply for a duplicate logbook online. After six weeks the DVLA considers it a lost V5C and will issue a new one – there is a £25 charge.
Can you change registered keeper without a V5?
There are many reasons why a car’s V5C might go missing. After all, it’s very easy for paperwork to get lost or destroyed, especially if the car has been off the road for years. Fortunately, it’s not a huge problem as you can simply apply for a duplicate V5C online – there’s a fee of £25 to pay.
The form asks for the car’s registration and vehicle identification (VIN) numbers. If you don’t have that information, it may still be possible to get a new V5C for the car, but the process will be more difficult and protracted.
How to find the owner of a car?
Data protection rules mean it’s not possible for members of the general public to find out who owns a particular car from the DVLA. Only individuals and organisations with ‘reasonable cause’ can access that information. Having reasonable cause essentially means having the power to issue fines for parking violations and driving offences.
Of all your car’s paperwork, changing the registered keeper is the most important stage when buying, selling or part-exchanging a car. But don’t forget to update your insurance, unlink any remote control apps on your smartphone, change your Dart Charge and congestion charge payment account information, and erase any personal data stored in the sat-nav.
