When you buy a second hand car you must register your ownership with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the organisation that controls all road safety, road law and road tax issues in the UK. They maintain a register of all drivers and cars in the country.
Ask for the top half of the two part vehicle registration document V5 from the seller (if they have it) when you purchase the vehicle. You must licence the vehicle with the DVLA straight away.
Have the seller fill out your details if they have a three part vehicle registration document V5. Both you and the seller need to sign the document handing over ownership of the second hand vehicle to you. It is their responsibility, not yours, to send this to the DVLA, and give you the V5/2 (green) section of the document that they have filled in.
Make sure the seller fills out the 'new keeper details' of the Registration Certificate V5C if this is the documentation they have. Again, both you and the seller must sign section 8 and the seller must forward the details onto the DVLA.
Don't worry if the seller has no documentation. You will still need to register, but you can pick up the 'application for a registration' form V62 from a Post Office or download it from the DVLA website. Once completed, send this to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.
Wait two to four weeks to receive your new registration certificate. If you have applied using the V62 form mentioned above, you may have to wait up to six weeks while the DVLA makes certain checks. If you have not received your registration certificate within six weeks, contact your local DVLA office.
Check that all your details are correct upon receipt of the new registration certificate.
Remember to notify the DVLA if any changes need to be made to your vehicle registration certificate during the course of your ownership, if your vehicle is written off or sold.
