How to tell the DVLA you've sold your car

What you need

• Your V5C logbook, specifically the 11-digit document reference number on it.
• The buyer's name and address, or the motor trader's business name and address. Add their email if you want them to get a confirmation too.
• The date of sale.

Telling the DVLA online

This is the fastest way. Use the DVLA's sold or transferred a vehicle service on GOV.UK. It's free, it's open at any time, and it updates the record straight away. You'll enter the reg, the V5C reference number and the buyer's details.

You'll get an email confirming you're no longer the keeper and a letter in the post. Keep both.

What to do with the V5C

• Selling to a private buyer: give them the green new keeper slip from the V5C. If you told the DVLA online, you can destroy the rest. The buyer will get a new V5C in their name.
• Selling to a motor trader: tell the DVLA online, or fill in the yellow section of the V5C for selling to a motor trader and post it to the DVLA. Follow the instructions on the V5C for what to give the trader.

Telling the DVLA by post

You can fill in the right section of the V5C and post it to the DVLA instead. The address is on the form. It's slower and you won't get instant confirmation, so write down the date you posted it and keep a copy if you can.

If you don't have the V5C at all, write to the DVLA with the reg, make, model, date of sale and the buyer's details. Our guide to selling without a V5C has more on this.

Your tax refund

Vehicle tax doesn't pass to the new keeper. Once the DVLA knows you've sold the car, your tax is cancelled and you get an automatic refund for any full calendar months left. A Direct Debit is cancelled automatically too. The new keeper has to tax the car before they drive it.

If you don't tell them

You can be fined up to £1,000 for not reporting a change of keeper. You'll also stay on the DVLA's record as the person responsible, so penalty notices may come to you. If that happens, your confirmation email or letter proves you'd already sold the car.

Other things to cancel

• Your car insurance, once the car has gone.
• TfL Auto Pay, so you aren't billed for the new owner's trips in the Congestion Charge zone or ULEZ.
• Dart Charge, if the car is on your account.
• Your residents' parking permit. Some councils give a refund.
• Breakdown cover, if it's tied to the vehicle.
• The manufacturer's app, if the car is linked to your account.
• Your private plate, if you want to keep it. Take it off before the sale, not after.