DVLA & V5C: Final Ownership Transfer Steps

DVLA & V5C: Final Ownership Transfer Steps

1. How to Notify the DVLA

After your vehicle has been successfully inspected and collected, you are legally required to notify the DVLA that you have sold the vehicle to a motor trader.

• Neither Motorway nor the dealer are responsible for this. This responsibility falls to the registered keeper. 
• You must not complete the transfer until the vehicle has been paid for and collected. 

Online Notification (Recommended; faster)

Once your vehicle has been collected and paid for: 

1. Go to the official Gov.uk website for vehicle sale notification by clicking here.
2. Select the option that you have sold the vehicle to a motor trader. Do NOT select ‘Sold it privately to a person or business’. 
3. You will need the dealer's details (name and address) and the 11-digit document reference number from your V5C logbook (usually found on the logbook's front page).
4. Once completed, you should receive a confirmation email from the DVLA immediately.

Post Notification

1. Fill out the yellow section of your V5C logbook (Section 9 on older versions, Section 4 on newer versions) titled "Selling, transferring or part-exchanging your vehicle to a motor trader" with the dealer's details. Do NOT fill out the green section.
2. Tear off the yellow slip (V5C/3) and mail it to the DVLA address provided on the form.
3. Provide the remainder of the V5C document to the driver/dealer. 

Crucial Note: It is your legal responsibility to ensure the DVLA is notified, even if the dealer offers to do it for you. If you have already given the whole V5C to the dealer, send a signed letter to the DVLA with the dealer's details and the date of sale.

2. Transferring the V5C Logbook (at Collection)

When the dealer collects your vehicle, you must hand over the entire V5C logbook to them. Before doing so you should take note of your V5C logbook number to complete your online transfer, or retain the yellow slip in order to transfer by post. 

• Completing your transfer puts the document into a trade status for the buyer, and relieves you of responsibility for the vehicle. 

• Ensure the transfer to the motor trader is completed only once your vehicle has been collected and paid for, and keep your DVLA confirmation safe.