Notifying DVLA when you sell a vehicle using a V5C

If you are a seller of a vehicle, you must work with the buyer of the vehicle to provide the information DVLA needs.

If your car has a personalised number plate on it, and you wish to keep it, you should arrange to transfer the registration onto another vehicle, or retain it on a certificate before selling the car. The V5C log book is your proof of ownership of the number plate - if that is re-issued in another persons name, they will effectively own your number plate!

With a V5C

Notify DVLA immediately of the exact date of sale using the registration document (V5C).

The buyer of the vehicle will want to take your name and address so you should provide them with this as they may need to contact you in the future.

With the buyer, complete section 6 of the V5C - 'new keeper or new name/new address details'. Both you and the buyer should sign section 8 and send the V5C to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD.

Give the fully completed V5C/2 section to the buyer.

As shown on the V5C, if you sell the vehicle to a trader you must complete the V5C/3 section. Obtain the details and signature of the motor trader and post it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD. You shouldn't rely on anyone else to do this - make sure yourself that it's done! Both the V5C and V5C/2 sections (uncompleted) should be passed to the trader.