CEO Carplus
A vehicle log book (or V5C) is the type of document that will stay at the bottom of a drawer 99% of the time. But when it’s time to sell your car, you’ll be glad you kept a hold of it. Besides, there are other situations where you need a log book, so don’t put it away too far.
Today we’ll cover everything you need to know about log books: what they look like, when you need them, how to get them, how to change their details, etc. There is tons of information to learn, so let’s get started!
A vehicle log book - also called V5C registration certificate or just V5C/V5 - is a paper document issued by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority). It contains a range of vital information about the vehicle and its registered keeper, such as registration and technical details about the vehicle and personal information about who drives it.
A log book provides the information that makes the car identifiable. If anything drastic changes about the car, the registered keeper is required to update it by law. This means you can always tell if the person is being honest about the car and whether there have been any unaccounted modifications.
We’ll cover scenarios that require a V5C later on.
A vehicle log book is a very detailed document with multiple sections that specify (not a full list)
A registered keeper is the main user of the car. They are responsible for registering, taxing, insuring, and paying fines. It is the primary contact person for the DVLA, and all correspondence is sent to their address.
The registered keeper and the owner of the car can be the same person; in fact, it’s more common. But there are occasions where they might differ. We can give you two examples that we come across very often.
The first is when the car is owned by the company and driven by an employee. Legally, the employee cannot own the corporate car. But the documentation should reflect who drives the car (obviously, it’s not a legal body).
Another example is when the car is financed. The lending company owns the car, but it’s the lendee who drives the car and pays tax and insurance for it.
In order to check whether your log book is legit or not, you have to follow these steps. If you do this first, it will save you a ton of time, money and nerves:
We’ve talked about the general purpose of a log book. Now let’s move on to specific situations when you need to make entries to it even if you haven’t made a significant change to the appearance or its inner workings.
If you’re selling your car, you’ll be responsible for updating the log book (see other responsibilities here).
The paper document can be shown to potential buyers so that they can quickly chan it and cross-check essential data. However, do not share your document reference number or send pictures of your V5C. This exposes you to a risk of fraudulent copies.
If your car has been scrapped or written off, you need to tell the driving authority. First, you’ll need the log book to take the car to an ATF (Authorised Treatment Facility). Afterwards, you’ll need the log book info to contact the DVLA. Make sure to keep a Certificate of Destruction to prove that the car has indeed been destroyed.
If you’ll only drive your car on private land or keep it in the garage - i.e., keep it off public roads - it’s also something the DVLA needs to be informed of. You will receive the SORN document (Statutory Off-Road Notification).
Bear in mind that if you only took a few parts of the vehicle to keep in your garage and got rid of the rest, it’s classified as scrapped, not off-road.
To pay a road tax for your vehicle, you need the reference number from your V5C, which must be in your name. You can apply:
As with most documentation in the UK, a V5 can be filled on the government website or sent as a paper application by post. You can probably guess which one takes a longer time.
If you’re the one buying the car, the information is usually filled out by the dealer or private seller. But you can also fill it out yourself on this page.
Click ‘Start now’ and fill out a small questionnaire to confirm your status. Then/ you’ll be asked to provide your trader details (name, post code, etc.). The new keeper (you or another person) will get an instant email confirmation and receive a new log book within five working days from registration.
Download an application form (V62) here and fill it in by hand.
Then, post it to this address:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BD
The buyer will generally receive a new V5C within two-four weeks. But as stated on the website, the deliveries may be delayed for various reasons.
If you know that the car has been scrapped or written off, inform the DVLA yourself. You can do it online on the portal (available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). If you can’t use the service or some of the details on the vehicle log book are wrong, you can apply by post.
If you want to find out whether the car has been scrapped or written off, request this information on the online portal. If you do it by post, the DVLA will send you a letter within four weeks. If you didn’t receive the letter, call 0300 790 6802.
As soon as the confirmation comes in, you (or the current registered owner) will no longer be responsible for the vehicle.
Whether you lost, misplaced or never had a V5C in the first place, get on it as soon as possible. Below are your options and what to do in each situation.
The DVLA Vehicle Enquiries is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays:
0300 790 6802
Bear in mind that the calls are charged: up to 10p per minute when you call from a landline and 3p-40p when you call from a mobile phone. There’s no need to overthink this or prepare - the specialists will give the instructions.
Conveniently, the procedure is the same as when you apply for a V5 for the first time. Send the V62 application form to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BD
It is similar to filling out a log book for the first time. But in this case, you also need to send a cheque or postal order for £25 made payable to DVLA, Swansea.
Even if you agree to a car without a log book, manage the process with due diligence and carry out a vehicle history check to confirm there is nothing dodgy about the car. Also, confirm that the seller is the individual who actually owns the vehicle.
Then, apply online or by post (described above).
Have this information ready:
If you fail to provide this info, the DVLA will refuse the application.
You must apply for a V5C and tax your vehicle online, by phone, or at a post office. Alternatively, you can tax your car if you have a V11 reminder, a V62 application, or a green ‘new keeper’ slip. You may also need a valid MOT test certificate.
Before paying, check up-to-date vehicle tax information here.
The procedure is basically the same as the one described in the section about losing your log book . The easiest way is to apply online, but the service is only available if you’re already the registered keeper. You should receive the replacement in 5 working days to the address that the DVLA has on record.
The replacement procedure implies duplicating the log book without any changes. If you need to change your details or have already sent your application to change them, follow a different procedure described earlier.
You can also apply by phone; you cannot apply by post for obvious reasons (you don’t have the log book to post.
The replacement costs £25 and is not refundable.
Look at the following:
If you didn’t get a log book when you bought a car, it’s one of the two reasons:
If it’s the first case, follow our instructions for filling out a vehicle log book (free). If it’s the second, check out the steps for replacing a lost V5 (chargeable).
If you have an old reconstructed car that has never been registered with the DVLA, just apply for a new log book, not a replacement. Attach a V765 form signed, stamped, and approved by the relevant car enthusiasts club (for their make/type) from ‘List of Vehicle Owners Clubs’.
There is no schedule for updating your log book . If there is outdated information on it (address, name) or the vehicle is bought/sold, update it through the DVLA. Learn how to do it in the next section.
The one thing we haven’t talked about yet is making changes to the car. If you change any of these things, the log book definitely needs to be updated:
Here are the changes that the DVLA needs to be informed of. They don’t always make it to the log book , which is determined upon inspection:
You can update your address, name, or your address and name simultaneously for free. If any of these details change, make sure to tell the DVLA right away to avoid a fine of up to £1,000. The procedures are actually slightly different for each.
Use this service to change your address on the vehicle log book (available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
Alternatively, you can write the new address in section 3 (new style log book) and send the document to the DVLA address. If you have an older style log book, write the new address in section 6.
The online service is not available for these cases. But the change of name can be done by post in the same way as you change addresses.
You normally need to provide proof of your name change unless you got married or divorced or your name was spelt incorrectly by mistake. Also, include a letter explaining why you need to change the name on the V5C. More information is available here.
If you need to change your name and address at the same time, fill in the relevant sections of the log book and send it to the DVLA by post. Include proof of your name change and an explanation letter. If you’re moving outside of the UK, you don’t need to inform the DVLA, but you will need to register it in the country you’re moving to.
Whoever is the registered keeper of the car can transfer this title to another person. It doesn’t have to be a result of a car sale. It can be a simple case of parents giving a car to their offspring.
Follow our instructions from the section above - filling out section 3 or 6 on the log book. The links for online applications are also available above. Make sure to tick the box that asks if the vehicle is changing keepers.
A V5C confirms who the ‘registered keeper’ of a vehicle is, which is not the same as proof of ownership. Still, it’s an essential piece of documentation that contains vehicle details (make, model, colour, engine size, and chassis number), keeper’s details, tax status, and other information.
If you spot any mistakes or some of the details change, you need to inform the DVLA. It actually makes the selling process and taxation safer and more reliable for all parties. What if you have a ringer on your hands? Think about this: Of the third of a million cars stolen each year in the UK, 120,000 are never recovered. So, be responsible and keep your car documentation updated.
Whenever you need help filling out, updating or replacing your vehicle log book, refer back to this guide! If you have queries that haven’t been answered, you can contact the DVLA directly.
A log book is not evidence of ownership. What it states is the name and address of the keeper, which is different from the owner. The document is used by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority) to keep a nationwide record of every vehicle and their registered keeper, which must be updated every time that vehicle changes hands.
On paper, yes, every car has and should have a log book. But in reality, these documents get lost, stolen, damaged and destroyed. If it happens to you, make sure to inform the DVLA quickly and apply for a replacement.
Yes, a vehicle log book is also known as a V5 and a V5C. You can use these terms interchangeably in the UK without it affecting the meaning.
A vehicle log book contains all essential information about a vehicle. If it is updated, you don’t need to use it on a day-by-day basis. But if you’ve sold or transferred your car or bought a new one, the new keeper (your or another person) must inform the DVLA online or by post.
It should be given to you by the previous registered keeper. The information is also available on the DVLA portal. If you did not get a physical log book for your vehicle, you can fill in an application for a form V62 and send it to DVLA. The document will be posted to your address.
Yes, you can use the DVLA’s vehicle enquiry service. You can log in by entering the make and registration number and check vehicle details on the portal.
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