Just bought a car? Congrats on your new purchase! You might be swooning over its shiny new paint, testing out the sound system, or simply taking in that ‘new car smell’. But among the less exciting (but very important!) things to do is completing your V5C.
In this guide:
- What is a V5C?
- What information should my V5C contain?
- When should I update my V5C?
- How do I update my V5C?
- What do I do if I've lost my log book?
- How do I sell my car without a V5C?
- How do I change the log book owner?
- What's the difference between keeper and owner?
What is a V5C?
The V5C is a document that registers your car to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This document has quite a few aliases, so you might also see it referred to as:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- V5C log book
- Proof of vehicle ownership
This document records the registered keeper/s of the vehicle to the DVLA. Usually, that’s the owner of the car, but sometimes the person registering may differ from the owner.
What information should my V5C contain?
The V5C contains all the important information about your vehicle. This includes:
- The date the vehicle was first registered
- The name and address of the registered keeper
- The number of previous registered keepers
- Car manufacturer and model
- Engine size
- Colour.
When should I update my vehicle registration certificate?
If you’re selling your car or passing it on to someone else, you’ll have to update the details on your V5C.
This also applies if you:
- Change your name
- Change address
- Make certain modifications to your car. These include changing the number of seats, cylinder capacity or bodyshell.
If you bought your car from a retailer, they’ll inform the DVLA. But if you bought your car from a private seller, here’s the checks you should make:
- When viewing the V5C, hold it up to the light to check the DVL watermark is present. If you can’t see it, the V5C you’re holding could be a forgery.
- The name under the registered keeper section of the V5C should match the details of the person selling you the car.
- Always ask the seller to show you a valid V5C. If they can’t, we recommend not buying the car from them.
- Check the vehicle identification number (VIN). It’s usually by the base of the car’s windscreen, bonnet, or beneath the driver’s seat. If it’s missing or has been tampered with, we recommend not buying the car.
- Always check the VIN and engine numbers match those on the V5C.
How do I update my V5C?
If you change your address, name, modify your car, or want to sell it on, you’ll have to update your vehicle log book. If you don’t, you could be fined up to £1,000.
There are two ways to update your vehicle registration document:
How to change your V5C online
If you want to change address online, simply go to the dedicated gov.uk page and follow their step-by-step guide.
Before you start, make sure you have the following information at hand:
- Your vehicle’s registration number
- Your V5C reference number
- Your UK address.
If your car needs taxing in the coming four weeks, you’ll need to tax your car online using your current V5C.
How to change your V5C by post
You can also change address on your V5C by post. If you have the new style log book, with multicoloured numbered blocks on the front, you’ll need to:
- Write your new address in section 3 (don’t use a PO Box address).
- Send the log book to the DVLA address in section 3.
If you have he old style log book then:
- Write your new address in section 6 (don’t use a PO Box address).
- Sign and send the log book to the DVLA address in section 8.
- On these older forms, you don’t have to tick the ‘new keeper’ box or fill out your name.
Once you’ve made changes to your log book, you’ll usually get your new V5C in around five working days if you applied online, and up to six weeks via post.
What to do if I've lost my log book?
Think you’ve lost your V5C? Has your dog chewed through your all-important log book? There’s no need to panic! Replacing your vehicle registration certificate is easy and usually costs around £25.
How to order a new log book online
To request a new log book online you can visit the dedicated gov.uk webpage.
You’ll need this info:
- Your vehicle’s registration number
- The vehicle identification number (VIN)
- The name and postcode registered to your V5C
This usually takes around five working days.
If the details on your original log book are out of date, you’ll have to apply for a replacement log book by post.
How to apply for a new log book by post
To get a new log book by post, start by downloading the V62 form from the gov.uk website.
Complete the form and send it to the DVLA Swansea address along with a cheque or postal order to cover the £25 fee. You should get your new log book within six weeks.
How to apply for a new log book by phone
You can only apply for a new log book by phone if you’re the registered keeper of the missing or damaged V5C, and none of your car’s details have changed. By applying over the phone, you should get your new log book within six weeks.
How do I sell a car without a V5C?
Thinking of selling your car but have lost or damaged your log book? We don’t recommend selling your car without a V5C. It may deter buyers and could be interpreted as a sign of a stolen vehicle.
But, it’s possible (and legal!) to sell a car without a V5C log book.
The problems you may face if selling a car without a V5C:
- Buyers may haggle the price down
- Buyers may suspect your vehicle is stolen
- Buyers could pull out of sale due to mistrust.
If you decide to sell your car without a log book, here’s what you should do:
- Clearly state that the vehicle is missing the V5C when listing/selling your car.
- Once sold, inform the DVLA via the dedicated gov.uk page.
- Contact the DVLA in Swansea by post, via a signed letter with the vehicle’s registration number, model, date of sale and the new keeper’s details.
How do I change log book owner?
Whether you’re selling your car or simply transferring the ownership to another person, you’ll have to update your V5C and inform the DVLA.
Applying online is the simplest and fastest way of transferring ownership. Simply visit the dedicated page on gov.uk and fill out the form.
To do so, you’ll need:
- 11 digit reference number from your car’s V5C.
- The details of the new owner, including their email address.
Once submitted, you and the new owner will get confirmation emails. The new owner should then get their new V5C within five working days.
What's the difference between keeper and owner?
It’s important to understand the difference between the car’s keeper and the owner, as the owner is not necessarily the keeper. For example, a company could own the car.
The main difference is that the keeper of the car is the person named in the log book. This makes them legally responsible for the car and accountable for insuring, taxing, and maintaining it.
The owner may have bought the car (say, on behalf of a company) but their details don’t need to be on the V5C as they’re not keeping the car. So, if the keeper’s caught speeding or driving in the wrong lane, the authorities will contact them, not the owner.
When you sell on our car or need to change log book owner, the person registered on the log book is responsible for updating the V5C and sending it to the DVLA.
Now you're clued up on what a V5C document is, it's time to get on the road. And, if you’re after a car policy, why not take a look at AXA Car Insurance?
