Can Someone Change The Registered Owner Of My Vehicle Without Permission

How to change buying of a vehicle

Buying or selling a used car? The easiest way to legally transfer a auto to its new owner is via the DVLA website online

V5C close up

As with so many things, the Internet has made changing the ownership of a car considerably easier. You tin still apply the traditional method of filling in the 'new keeper' slip in your car's logbook, or V5C, to behave out a DVLA change of proper name, which is platonic for those without reckoner access. It is likewise possible to transfer the registered owner of a car online using the DVLA online tool similar to the one used to tax a car online.

How to purchase or transfer a personalised number plate

Every vehicle on UK roads is issued a Vehicle Registration Certificate, which is likewise known equally the V5C, or more commonly equally 'the logbook'. The latest examples are cherry, bluish, pink and yellow in colour, having taken over from the previous blue, green and cream style by late 2014. Your car will take been issued with its first registration document soon later on its original owner took delivery.

Even when using the online service you lot'll all the same need your logbook to transfer ownership because the DVLA website will require you to enter the 11-digit Document Reference Number into the system as part of the process.

You will likewise still demand to tear off the green New Keeper Sideslip for the new owner, which is department 6 of the V5C on the bottom correct hand side of the third page. Fill out the box marked Date of Auction/Transfer and make sure you mitt only this sideslip to the buyer. Brand a notation of their total name, address, postcode and hopefully their email accost before they drive off.

Fines for failing to notify DVLA of a transfer

At present that the new keeper has driven abroad, they tin use the green new keeper'southward skid as proof of ownership if they are stopped past the law. However, only because the auto has physically left you, you still have a responsibility to notify the transfer of buying to the DVLA. If you fail to notify the DVLA you are liable for a penalization in the form of an Out of Courtroom Settlement alphabetic character demanding that you lot pay £55, reduced to £35 if yous pay within 17 days. If yous ignore this alphabetic character, the example could be taken to a magistrate'southward court, and the potential fine increases up to £ane,000.

How to utilize the DVLA online transfer organisation

Fortunately, recording a transfer of ownership with the DVLA couldn't exist simpler. With your logbook/V5C to hand (now minus its New Keeper Sideslip), look up world wide web.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle on your smartphone or computer and click the big greenish 'Start Now' push.

The next steps are very simple and are more often than not multiple-pick questions. Firstly, you must click 'yes' or 'no' to declare whether or not y'all are a motor trader. Then the following options will confirm whether you have sold or merely transferred the vehicle, and who you sold it to, whether an private or a trader.

Questions to enquire when buying a used car

Afterwards confirming who you and your buyer are, you'll and so need to confirm the car'southward details. Yous will need to confirm that registration number and vehicle details are correct. After this, the total name, postcode and address of the new owner and the engagement of sale volition need to be entered. Again, these steps are very clearly laid out and simple to follow. If you enter your email addresses, you lot and the new heir-apparent will both receive a record of the changes.

The terminal page is a proclamation that the details y'all have entered are right, and then it's merely a matter of striking the 'Confirm' push.

That'due south it, job done. Y'all've successfully transferred ownership of your car and fulfilled your legal obligations to record the change with the DVLA. A new logbook/V5C will be issued automatically, and y'all are advised to tear up and dispose of the old V5C (yes, really – it may audio drastic, just that is the official communication).

Transferring car ownership by mail

If you prefer to use the V5C document to notify the DVLA of a transfer of ownership by post, you must enter the new owner's name and address into the boxes on department two of the document – the green panel on the bottom left hand side of page two.

You lot must then tear off the New Keeper Slip, fill out the Date of Auction/Transfer, and hand the slip to the new owner. The residue of the V5C, including section two which you take just completed, must be posted to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA, as directed on the grade.

Who is allowed to transfer auto ownership?

The V5C is created by the DVLA every bit soon as it is first registered, and may be sent directly to the possessor's abode accost. It's worth remembering, too, that the name on the registration certificate isn't necessarily the vehicle's owner but the vehicle'south keeper. Essentially, the keeper of a vehicle is the person legally responsible for information technology, even if another political party actually paid for it.

Only a vehicle's registered keeper can legally transfer a car and its logbook into another name. Although the keeper of a car isn't necessarily its owner, they are responsible for its legal utilise, including insurance, tax, registration and roadworthiness. Every bit the keeper's name is the only one to appear on the registration document, it is they who could confront legal proceedings in the upshot of a motoring police force being broken.

Whether selling your car or giving information technology abroad, you should inform the DVLA of a change of keeper, and that should be done immediately at the point that the vehicle changes hands.

Whether you inform the DVLA online or by postal service using the V5C, yous'll find a space to enter the motorcar's mileage: this is optional but enables futurity owners to verify the motorcar'southward mileage. In that location's besides a space for the driving licence number of the new keeper, but this is not required past police.

Selling or transferring your vehicle to a motor trader

If you are part exchanging your car or selling it to a motor trader, dismantler or scrapyard, y'all tin can do this simply by selecting the relevant options on the DVLA online system. If you prefer to practise it by post, yous volition need to fill in department 4, split it from the rest of the V5C and ship it to the DVLA at the accost higher up. The rest of the V5C must be given to the trader, dismantler or scrapyard.

Permanently exporting a vehicle

Department 5 of the V5C is concerned with permanently exporting a vehicle, so that it no longer appears on Great britain roads. It requires only that the date of consign is entered and a declaration signed. This section must then be removed and sent to the DVLA at the address above – yous cannot practice this online.

The residual of the V5C should be given to the exporter, who will need to utilise it in the country to which it is being exported.

For more information on buying and selling a motorcar, read our guide to the V5C logbook, or our hints and tips for the best manner to sell a automobile.