Transferring vehicle ownership is your legal obligation. If the DVLA still lists you as the registered keeper, you could remain liable for speeding fines, parking tickets, or even insurance disputes long after you've sold the car.
Buyers also need to make sure the car is registered to them, not doing so could lead to MOT reminders, road tax notices, and V5C issues going to the wrong person. Transferring ownership quickly protects both parties.
What Documents You Need
To transfer car ownership in the UK, you’ll need:
- The V5C logbook (Vehicle Registration Certificate)
- The buyer’s full name and address
- The car’s registration number, make/model, and current mileage
- A bill of sale (optional but recommended for proof of transaction)
If you’ve lost the V5C, you can apply for a replacement from the DVLA using a V62 form here. This can delay the transfer but is still manageable.
How to Transfer Car Ownership Online
The fastest and easiest way to transfer ownership is via the DVLA’s online portal:
- Go to this page on GOV.UK
- Enter the 11-digit reference number from the V5C
- Fill in the buyer’s full details
- Confirm the sale and submit
Both the buyer and seller will get confirmation emails, and the DVLA will post a new V5C to the buyer within a few days. The seller is automatically removed as the registered keeper.
How to Transfer Ownership by Post
Prefer the paper route? Here’s how:
- Tear off Section 6 of the V5C and fill in the buyer’s details
- Both parties sign the declaration in Section 8
- Send the completed V5C to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA
*Always check gov.uk for the latest update
Meanwhile, the buyer should keep the green 'new keeper' slip (Section 10) as temporary proof of ownership until their full V5C arrives.
Transferring a Car to a Dealer
If you're selling or trading your car in with a dealership:
- You only need to fill in the yellow “Sell, Transfer or Part-Exchange to a Motor Trader” section of the V5C
- Send it to the DVLA as confirmation
Dealers will usually handle this process for you, but it's still your responsibility to notify the DVLA.
Car Ownership Transfers for Gifts or Inheritance
Gifting a car follows the same process as selling, just list the transaction value as £0 and complete the V5C or online form as normal.
If the car is being inherited after someone passes away:
- You’ll need to contact the DVLA with the death certificate, the V5C, and a letter confirming the new keeper’s details
- If you’re using the online service, this may need to be done via post instead
What Happens After You Transfer Ownership
Once the DVLA processes the transfer:
- The new keeper will receive a V5C logbook in their name
- The seller is no longer liable for road tax or fines
- If road tax is still active, it is automatically cancelled and refunded to the seller (you can’t transfer road tax between owners)
- The new keeper must tax the car before driving it
It's important that insurance is updated by both parties immediately after the transfer.
Transferring car ownership in the UK is a straightforward process, as long as it’s done correctly. Whether you use the DVLA’s online service or send off the V5C by post, make sure both buyer and seller are protected by completing the transfer properly.
