Advice
V5C: how to get a logbook and update it online
Car buying and selling is incomplete without a V5C. Learn more about how to use a logbook to access your vehicle registration details.
Words by: Nimisha Jain
Last updated on 2 May 2023 | 0 min read
What is a V5C?
A V5C, also known as a logbook or vehicle registration certificate, is your car’s proof of registration issued by the DVLA.
It contains information related to your car including the registration number, name and address of the person the car is registered to, your car’s unique 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), engine specifications like the cylinder capacity (cc), engine weight and fuel type, and your car’s emission standards.
It contains information related to your car including the registration number, name and address of the person the car is registered to, your car’s unique 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), engine specifications like the cylinder capacity (cc), engine weight and fuel type, and your car’s emission standards.
Can I get my V5C online?
V5C is a paper document – there is no online record of the logbook available at the moment.
You can, however, use DVLA’s online services to change information in your logbook or to apply for a new or replacement V5C document using a V62 form. Find more information below on how to apply online.
You can, however, use DVLA’s online services to change information in your logbook or to apply for a new or replacement V5C document using a V62 form. Find more information below on how to apply online.
What information can I find on my V5C?
The V5C contains information about the car, its history and its registered keeper.
In the logbook, you can find who the registered keeper is and their address, along with the number of previous keepers of the car and the V5C document’s reference number. The V5C tells when the car was first registered and what type of a car it is – the car brand, model, tax class, fuel type, suspension type, engine size and number, VIN number, number of seats, the colour of the car and more. You can also find out if it’s an imported car or if the car’s been exported or scrapped.
In the logbook, you can find who the registered keeper is and their address, along with the number of previous keepers of the car and the V5C document’s reference number. The V5C tells when the car was first registered and what type of a car it is – the car brand, model, tax class, fuel type, suspension type, engine size and number, VIN number, number of seats, the colour of the car and more. You can also find out if it’s an imported car or if the car’s been exported or scrapped.
How to change your address on a V5C?
You can update your address on the V5C form by informing the DVLA online on gov.uk or by post.
You must inform the DVLA about your new address on time otherwise you can be fined up to £1,000. To change your address on your V5C, you need to provide the DVLA with: • Your car’s registration number • Reference number stated in your car logbook • Your new UK address You can change your address online on gov.uk. You’ll be asked to enter your car’s details and your postcode, after which you can enter your new address and submit your request to update your details. If you’re applying by post, you’ll need to fill in the new address in Section 3 of your V5C if you have the new-style multi-coloured logbook and then send your V5C logbook to the DVLA. If you have an old-style logbook, you’ll have to fill Section 6 with your new address, sign it and send it to the DVLA. Not sure which logbook you have? Keep reading to find out more about the old-style and new-style logbooks. Remember: you need to update your new UK address on your driving licence well
You must inform the DVLA about your new address on time otherwise you can be fined up to £1,000. To change your address on your V5C, you need to provide the DVLA with: • Your car’s registration number • Reference number stated in your car logbook • Your new UK address You can change your address online on gov.uk. You’ll be asked to enter your car’s details and your postcode, after which you can enter your new address and submit your request to update your details. If you’re applying by post, you’ll need to fill in the new address in Section 3 of your V5C if you have the new-style multi-coloured logbook and then send your V5C logbook to the DVLA. If you have an old-style logbook, you’ll have to fill Section 6 with your new address, sign it and send it to the DVLA. Not sure which logbook you have? Keep reading to find out more about the old-style and new-style logbooks. Remember: you need to update your new UK address on your driving licence well
How to change your name on a V5C?
If you legally change your name or notice your name is spelt incorrectly on the V5C, you’ll have to inform the DVLA to get your V5C logbook updated.
If you have a new-style multi-coloured logbook, you’ll have to fill Section 3 with your full name and send the logbook to DVLA. For an old-style logbook, you should write your full name in Section 6 and post the logbook to DVLA. While sending your logbook to the DVLA, you’ll also have to attach a letter explaining why you want to change your name on the V5C logbook. If you’re changing your name because it was misspelt or if you got married or divorced, you don’t need to send proof of your name. If you’re changing your name for any other reason, you’ll have to send a document as proof, such as a deed poll. If you’re changing your name and address at the same time, you’ll have to send a document as proof of change in name regardless of your reason for the change.
If you have a new-style multi-coloured logbook, you’ll have to fill Section 3 with your full name and send the logbook to DVLA. For an old-style logbook, you should write your full name in Section 6 and post the logbook to DVLA. While sending your logbook to the DVLA, you’ll also have to attach a letter explaining why you want to change your name on the V5C logbook. If you’re changing your name because it was misspelt or if you got married or divorced, you don’t need to send proof of your name. If you’re changing your name for any other reason, you’ll have to send a document as proof, such as a deed poll. If you’re changing your name and address at the same time, you’ll have to send a document as proof of change in name regardless of your reason for the change.
What to do if I lose my V5C document?
If you or your insurance company has lost or damaged your V5C (logbook), you can apply online or by post for a replacement V5C document.
You’ll need a V62 form to order a new V5C logbook, and only the car’s registered keeper can apply to get a new V5C.Learn more about how to get a V62 form and what information you need to submit to the DVLA.
You’ll need a V62 form to order a new V5C logbook, and only the car’s registered keeper can apply to get a new V5C.
How do I register as a new keeper with the DVLA?
If you’re selling your car, you need to inform the DVLA and register the buyer as the new keeper of the car. You can do this using the V5C form. Learn more about how to transfer ownership of a car.
If you’ve bought a secondhand car and you haven’t received your V5C within four weeks, you can inform the DVLA and get a V5C using the V62 form.Learn more about how to use the V62 form to get a V5C.
If you’ve bought a secondhand car and you haven’t received your V5C within four weeks, you can inform the DVLA and get a V5C using the V62 form.
When should I update my V5C?
It’s important to update your V5C if any information on it changes. You can be fined if you fail to inform the DVLA about any changes.
If you want to sell the car or if the registered keeper of the car changes, you need to inform the DVLA using the ‘new keeper’ section of the V5C. Learn more about how to transfer ownership of your car. If your personal details such as your name, address or direct debit details change or if you notice an error, for example a spelling mistake, you should get your V5C updated by informing the DVLA. Any modifications or upgrades to your car such as changes to the colour, engine, cylinder capacity, fuel type, seating capacity, wheel plan and VIN number need to be updated in the V5C. If you convert your car body type or fuel type - say you change a diesel or petrol car to an electric car, you’ll have to let the DVLA know so that they can update your V5C with the correct details. Similarly, if you get personalised number plate, you need to update your car records with the DVLA.
If you want to sell the car or if the registered keeper of the car changes, you need to inform the DVLA using the ‘new keeper’ section of the V5C. Learn more about how to transfer ownership of your car. If your personal details such as your name, address or direct debit details change or if you notice an error, for example a spelling mistake, you should get your V5C updated by informing the DVLA. Any modifications or upgrades to your car such as changes to the colour, engine, cylinder capacity, fuel type, seating capacity, wheel plan and VIN number need to be updated in the V5C. If you convert your car body type or fuel type - say you change a diesel or petrol car to an electric car, you’ll have to let the DVLA know so that they can update your V5C with the correct details. Similarly, if you get personalised number plate, you need to update your car records with the DVLA.
What does a V5C look like?
Don’t be alarmed if your V5C looks different to someone else’s V5C. There are two logbooks that car owners can have – the old-style V5C and the new-style V5C.
The old-style V5C (a blue-green coloured document) was first issued in 2004 by DVLA. It contained 12 sections, of which, section six was the new keeper section called ‘new keeper details’ and the green slip for the new keeper was in section 10 called the ‘new keeper supplement’ or V5C/2. The old-style logbook style was replaced with a new-style red-pink V5C form with 11 sections in 2012. In the new-style log book, the new keeper section of V5C can be found in Section 2 called ‘selling or transferring my vehicle to a new keeper’, and the green slip is a part of section 6 of the form called ‘new keeper slip’. The old blue-green car log books are still valid, although the DVLA has encouraged everyone to replace the old-style forms with the new red V5Cs. Related articles: Buying a car: how to access DVLA online services How do I transfer ownership and tax for a used car I've bought? Sharing your driving records using DVLA’s licence check code What is a V62 form?
The old-style V5C (a blue-green coloured document) was first issued in 2004 by DVLA. It contained 12 sections, of which, section six was the new keeper section called ‘new keeper details’ and the green slip for the new keeper was in section 10 called the ‘new keeper supplement’ or V5C/2. The old-style logbook style was replaced with a new-style red-pink V5C form with 11 sections in 2012. In the new-style log book, the new keeper section of V5C can be found in Section 2 called ‘selling or transferring my vehicle to a new keeper’, and the green slip is a part of section 6 of the form called ‘new keeper slip’. The old blue-green car log books are still valid, although the DVLA has encouraged everyone to replace the old-style forms with the new red V5Cs. Related articles: Buying a car: how to access DVLA online services How do I transfer ownership and tax for a used car I've bought? Sharing your driving records using DVLA’s licence check code What is a V62 form?