Registering a vehicle

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Vehicle first registration fee	Registering an imported vehicle
How to notify DVLA if you sell your vehicle	Replacing a lost or stolen registration certificate
How to notify DVLA if you buy a new or used vehicle	How to register a rebuilt, radically altered vehicle and kit car
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How to notify DVLA if you sell your vehicle

You must notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the exact date of sale or transfer of your vehicle using the registration document or certificate. You and the buyer should follow the procedures correctly or you will remain liable for the vehicle until DVLA records have been updated.

What you and the buyer need to do

You should notify DVLA using the appropriate section of the registration document or certificate. The section you use will depend on the type of document you hold. You should also keep a separate note of the buyers name and address details.

Two part registration document V5

If you have a two part registration document, complete the lower part headed 'notification of sale or transfer', detach it and post it at once to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR. This will not result in the issue of a new registration certificate, but if you do not do this, you may receive enquiries about the cars subsequent use.

Give the buyer the top part of the registration document and, if the vehicle is being sold privately, remind the buyer that DVLA must be informed at once that they have got the vehicle.

Three part registration document V5

If you have a three part registration document you must complete the V5 blue section, both you and the buyer must sign it and send it immediately to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. You are also required to give the buyer the properly completed V5/2 green section. However, if you sell the vehicle to a 'motor trader' (see notes on back of registration document for definition) you must complete the V5/3 red section, obtain the details and signature of the motor trader and post it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD. Both the V5 and V5/2 (blue and green) sections (uncompleted) should then be passed to the trader.

Registration certificate V5C

If you have a registration certificate you must complete section 6 'new keeper or new name/new address details' of the V5C. Both you and the buyer must sign section 8 and send the V5C immediately to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. You are also required to give the buyer the properly completed V5C/2 green section. However, if you sell the vehicle to a 'motor trader' (see notes on back of the V5C/3 for definition) you must complete the V5C/3 yellow section, obtain the details and signature of the motor trader and post it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD. Both the V5C and V5C/2 (blue and green) sections (uncompleted) should then be passed to the trader. The registration certificate has accompanying guidance notes INS 160. These notes are available for download below.

What happens next

Once you have informed DVLA, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement letter, within four weeks, confirming the discharge of liability for your vehicle. Please allow four weeks to receive the letter before contacting the DVLA.

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