How to update your vehicle registration
When you arrange car insurance, your insurer may ask you for your car’s registration certificate, but what is it and why is it important? Comparison site mustard.co.uk explains it all.
What is a vehicle registration?
When you buy a car, you’ll be given a vehicle registration document, called a V5C (sometimes called the vehicle logbook).
The V5C registers the car with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). In other words, it lets them know your car exists. The V5C itself, includes details about your car, including its make, model, number plate, and crucially, who the registered keeper is.
Does the V5C show proof of ownership?
No, the V5C doesn’t show who owns the car, it only sets out who the registered keeper is. Confusingly, they’re not the same.
The car’s owner is the person who bought the car, or the person who the car was given to. The registered keeper is the person responsible for tax, MOT and car insurance. A good example of the difference is company cars. Usually, the car is owned by the business but the registered keeper will typically be the person driving the car on a regular basis.
When would I need to update my V5C?
You should update your V5C registration certificate if any of the details are wrong or change. For example, if you move house or if you make any modifications to the car, like change its colour, the engine or alter the chassis.
Depending on what’s changed, you might need to supply proof of that change to the DVLA, for instance, a receipt for the work done. In some cases, the car will need to be inspected but the DVLA will let you know if it does.
Generally speaking, your car will only need inspecting if there’s been a significant alteration. This could include modifications to the wheel plan, converting a van to a campervan or changing the vehicle identification number (VIN).
How do I update my vehicle registration document?
The DVLA has made it fairly simple to update your car’s V5C. All you’ll need to do is fill out section one of the newer style V5C (the one with multicoloured sections), or section seven in older versions.
After that, check to see if you need to supply evidence, then send everything to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. The DVLA will then contact you to confirm those changes or let you know if your car needs inspecting. The whole process should take around four weeks at most. If you don’t hear back after six weeks, you should contact the DVLA.
How do I update just my address on my V5C
If you only need to change your address, you can do this online. The service is free but you must be listed as the car’s registered keeper to use it.
If you need to change your name, you can fill in section three of your V5C if you have the multicoloured version. In older style V5Cs, you should fill in section six. You’ll then need to send it off to the DVLA. If you’ve changed your name by deed poll, you’ll also need to include proof of this.
It’s really important to let the DVLA know about a name or address change. If you don’t, you could end up with a £1,000 fine.
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Making sure your V5C is correct and up-to-date is just one bit of admin you’ll need to do as a car owner. Another, is sorting out your car insurance, which can often end up being one of your biggest expenses.
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