Vehicle registration certificate (V5C)

A vehicle registration certificate (V5C), also known as a logbook, contains information about the vehicle. It shows

• the name and address of the vehicle’s registered keeper
• information about the vehicle, including the make, model and engine size
• the date the vehicle was first registered.

The registered keeper is the person who’s responsible for taxing the vehicle, even if they aren’t the legal owner. If you’re the registered keeper of a vehicle, it’s your responsibility to keep the details of your V5C up to date. You must tell DVLA when

• you change your address
• you change your name
• you change any of the details of your vehicle (eg colour)
• you no longer have the vehicle.

You can update your V5C by filling in the relevant section and sending the whole form to DVLA, which will issue a new V5C. Informing DVLA ensures your V11 (tax reminder) is sent to the correct address, enabling you to tax your vehicle.

When a vehicle is sold, both the seller and the buyer must complete and sign the V5C

and the seller must send the relevant part of the V5C to DVLA.

You can get more information about the V5C on the form itself, or from www.gov.uk

If you lose your V5C, you can request a replacement from DVLA, although a fee may be charged.