Telling the DVLA if you sell a vehicle

You must tell the DVLA in Swansea using the registration document or certificate. You and the buyer should follow the procedures correctly or you could still be legally responsible for the vehicle until the DVLA records have been updated.

How do I tell the DVLA?

You can tell the DVLA online. Alternatively, you should tell the DVLA using the appropriate section of the registration document or certificate.

Depending on the age of the vehicle, this might be the 2-part or 3-part registration document (V5 or V5NI), or registration certificate (V5C or V5CNI). The parts are separated at the time of sale. You should also keep a separate note of the buyer's name and address.

If you have a 2-part registration document (V5 or V5NI)

1. Fill in the lower part headed 'Notification of sale or transfer'

2. Remove it and post to the DVLA in Swansea

3. Get the buyer to sign the top part of the registration document

4. If the vehicle is being sold privately, remind the buyer that the DVLA must be told once they have the vehicle

If you have a 3-part registration document (V5 or V5NI)

1. Fill in the V5 or V5NI blue section

2. You and the buyer must sign this blue section

3. Post it immediately to the DVLA in Swansea

4. Give the buyer the completed V5/2 or V5/2NI green section

If you sell the vehicle to a 'motor trader' (the definition of 'motor trader' is on the back of the registration document), you must:

1. Fill in the V5/3 or V5/3NI red section

2. Get the motor trader's details and signature

3. Post it to the DVLA in Swansea

4. Give the V5 or V5NI and V5/2 or V5/2NI (blue and green) sections (uncompleted) to the trader

If you have a registration certificate (V5C or V5CNI)

1. Fill in section 6

2. You and the buyer must sign section 8

3. Post it immediately to the DVLA in Swansea

4. Give the buyer the completed V5C/2 or V5C/2NI section

If you sell the vehicle to a motor trader, you must:

1. Fill in V5C/3 or V5C/3NI section

2. Get the trader's details and signature

3. Post it to the DVLA in Swansea

4. Give the V5C or V5CNI and V5C/2 or V5C/2NI sections (uncompleted) to the trader

What happens next?

Once you have told the DVLA in Swansea, you'll get a letter confirming that you're no longer liable for the vehicle. You will also automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax. You should allow 4 weeks to receive the letter before contacting them.