What is a V5C logbook? Complete guide to your V5 document

Front cover

• The document reference number is now positioned at the top of the page, along with the phrase, ‘Don’t share, keep it safe’.
• A new multi-coloured section with instructions on how to fill in your V5C logbook has been added near the bottom of the page.
• A new vehicle licencing compliance enforcement message has also been added.
• The registered keeper’s name and address are now placed near the top of the page.
• The date of acquisition is now placed just below the document reference number.

Internal changes

• The ‘Vehicle details’ section has been revised with extra space for you to add information about your car.
• The 'New keeper’ and ‘Change of name and address’ sections are now separate to avoid confusion.
• You can now supply contact details.
• A new ‘country of export’ field has been added for anyone who intends to export their car for more than 12 months.
• The name and address fields have been removed from the new keeper’s slip because previously, some drivers had inadvertently returned this to the DVLA, which left them unable to tax their car.

Additional changes

• To improve accuracy, data capture boxes have been added.
• Instructions have been simplified throughout.
• The signature boxes have been replaced with declarations in red text.
• A new dual language format has been introduced with English on one side and Welsh on the other.
• The V5CW (Welsh version) is serialised across three pages.
• The V5C is now serialised on the front cover and back page.
• The document reference number used to assign your registration to a car is now duplicated across all pages.
• The back page is now blank.

• Section 1: Changing your vehicle’s details

  You should complete the bottom part of section 1 if you need to update your vehicle’s details. If the changes are not listed in section 1, add notes to the ‘Vehicle details’ section.

  You may also need to submit additional evidence for the changes with your V5C. For more information, please visit the ‘What evidence to give’ guide on the DVLA website.

  If any of the following have changed, post the whole V5C to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DZ:

  • Engine size (cc).
  • Fuel type.
  • Weight (for a goods vehicle).
  • The number of seats (for a bus).

  For any other changes, post your V5C to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.

  The DVLA will then contact you to:

  • Confirm the change or tell you that an inspection is required.
  • Tell you whether the change means you’ll have to pay more car tax.

  It can take 2-4 weeks for your replacement logbook to arrive.

  If you have not received it within 4 weeks, you should contact the DVLA. If you haven’t received your logbook after 6 weeks (and failed to notify the DVLA within this timeframe), you’ll have to pay £25 for a replacement.

• Section 2: Selling or transferring my vehicle to a new keeper

  If you are selling your car privately (or gifting it to someone), you need to notify the DVLA. The simplest way to do this is via the DVLA website.

  Alternatively, you can notify the DVLA by detaching and completing Section 2 of the V5C logbook, then posting it to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.

  If you have a private number plate and wish to keep it, you’ll need to take it off your car before selling it. To learn more, visit our guide ‘How to retain a private number plate’. (If you are happy to sell the car with the private plate attached, no action is required).

• Section 3: Change my name and/or address

  You should complete this section if you have moved to a new address and/or changed your name. If you fail to inform the DVLA of these changes, you could incur a fine of £1,000.

  What’s more, if you do not update your address in good time, important documents such as V11 reminders and DVLA car tax refunds will be sent to the wrong address.

  If these details have changed (or the details in your current V5C are incorrect), complete Section 3 and send the whole V5C document by post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.

• Section 4: Selling, transferring or part exchanging this vehicle to a motor dealer

  Section 4 is only relevant if you have sold your car to a motor dealer such as:

  • A car dealership.
  • An auction house.
  • A dismantler or salvage company.
  • A finance or leasing company.
  • An insurance provider.
  • A car buying service (such as webuyanycar).

  After the sale, you will retain Section 4 – and the motor dealer will retain the remainder of the V5C logbook. At this point, you must tell the DVLA that you have sold your car.

  The easiest way to do this is via the DVLA website. However, if you do not receive an acknowledgment or a car tax refund, you should contact the DVLA, as you may still be liable.

  Alternatively, you can notify the DVLA by completing Section 4 and sending the whole section by post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.

  When submitting Section 4 by post, you should include the following information:

  • The car’s registration number.
  • The document reference number.
  • The date of the sale.
  • The car’s mileage (at the point of sale).
  • The name, address, postcode and VAT number of the motor trader.

• Section 5: Permanently exporting a vehicle (for more than 12 months)

  You should complete Section 5 if you are planning to export your vehicle for more than 12 months. (This is considered a ‘permanent export’.)

  Complete this section with the following information:

  • Your car’s registration number.
  • The document reference number.
  • The date of export.
  • The country you plan to export your car to.

  Detach Section 5 by tearing along the red perforated line and post it to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.

• Section 6: New keeper slip

  Complete this section with the following information when selling your car (or gifting it) to someone else:

  • Your car’s registration number.
  • The document reference number. (The new keeper can use this to tax the car online.)
  • The date of sale or transfer.
  • The car’s make, model, colour, engine size and suspension type.
  • The car’s tax class.
  • The number of seats.

  If you are the new keeper of a car and you want to tax it, you can use to the reference number on the new keeper’s slip to tax it whilst waiting for the new logbook to arrive.

  Remember, all cars must be insured and taxed – or declared SORN. (You may incur a fine if your car does not meet these criteria.)

  You should not send this section to the DVLA. (They will not send you a new V5C logbook.)