Guide
Who is the registered keeper of a car
Legal owner is the one who buys the car while the registered keeper looks after the car. The legal owner and the registered keeper of a car can be different people – read our guide to find out how.
Words by: Nimisha Jain
Published on 16 May 2025 | 0 min read
Who is a registered keeper of a car?
The registered keeper of a car is the individual or company whose name is listed on the vehicle's registration document (V5C or logbook). If you’re the registered keeper, you’re responsible for taxing, insuring and getting the car’s MOT.
Who is the legal owner of a car?
Whoever pays for the car at the time of purchase is the legal owner. So if you bought your car and you also look after the car, then you’d be both the legal owner and the registered keeper of the car. If one person finances the car and another maintains it, the legal owner and the registered keeper are different people.
What’s the difference between the legal owner and registered keeper of a car?
The person who finances the car is the legal owner of the car. The person who’s responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of the car is the registered keeper.
The V5C logbook states the name and address of the registered keeper as they tax and insure the car. That’s also why a V5C logbook can’t be used as a proof of ownership. If you need show proof of ownership of your car, you can show the bill of sale when you bought the car. You may also be able to show your financing agreements if you bought the car on finance. The registered keeper and the legal owner of a car are different when: • If you’ve got a car on finance, the finance company will be the legal owner of the car until you’ve fully paid up your finance contract. You’ll be the registered keeper of the car from the start of your contract as you’ll be liable to tax, insure and maintain the car. • If you bought a car for a family member, such as your partner or children, then that makes you the legal owner of the car, and the family member the registered keeper. • If you drive a company car then the company will be the owner of the car, and you’d be the registered keeper. • If you drive a leased car, then the leasing company will be the legal owner and the registered keeper of the car as you only keep the car for the length of the leasing contract.
The V5C logbook states the name and address of the registered keeper as they tax and insure the car. That’s also why a V5C logbook can’t be used as a proof of ownership. If you need show proof of ownership of your car, you can show the bill of sale when you bought the car. You may also be able to show your financing agreements if you bought the car on finance. The registered keeper and the legal owner of a car are different when: • If you’ve got a car on finance, the finance company will be the legal owner of the car until you’ve fully paid up your finance contract. You’ll be the registered keeper of the car from the start of your contract as you’ll be liable to tax, insure and maintain the car. • If you bought a car for a family member, such as your partner or children, then that makes you the legal owner of the car, and the family member the registered keeper. • If you drive a company car then the company will be the owner of the car, and you’d be the registered keeper. • If you drive a leased car, then the leasing company will be the legal owner and the registered keeper of the car as you only keep the car for the length of the leasing contract.
How can I check who’s the registered keeper of a car?
You can check who’s the registered keeper of your car in your car’s V5C logbook. The first page of the V5C states the current registered keeper’s name and address. It’ll also mention the number of previous owners the car has had.
If you need more details about your car's history or the registered keeper of another person's car, you can contact the DVLA using a V888 form. When you request information about your own car, the DVLA can provide you information about the number of previous registered keepers and any vehicle changes made in the past such as the colour or engine. You can also request details about the previous owners of the car if you can provide evidence to the DVLA for why you require their details, for example where the previous keeper details are needed for court proceedings. You must enclose a cheque or postal order of £5 per enquiry when sending the V888 form. If you live in Northern Ireland, you can ask Driver & Vehicle Agency for information about you on your driver record. When you request information about a third-party car in certain circumstances, such as: • in case of an accident • to trace the registered keeper of an abandoned vehicle • to trace the registered keeper of a vehicle parked on private land • to give out parking tickets • to give out trespass charge notices • to trace people responsible for driving off without paying for goods and services • to trace people suspected of insurance fraud You’ll have send a letter long with the V888 Form providing evidence for the enquiry. You must enclose a cheque or postal order of £2.50 per enquiry when sending the V888 form.
If you need more details about your car's history or the registered keeper of another person's car, you can contact the DVLA using a V888 form. When you request information about your own car, the DVLA can provide you information about the number of previous registered keepers and any vehicle changes made in the past such as the colour or engine. You can also request details about the previous owners of the car if you can provide evidence to the DVLA for why you require their details, for example where the previous keeper details are needed for court proceedings. You must enclose a cheque or postal order of £5 per enquiry when sending the V888 form. If you live in Northern Ireland, you can ask Driver & Vehicle Agency for information about you on your driver record. When you request information about a third-party car in certain circumstances, such as: • in case of an accident • to trace the registered keeper of an abandoned vehicle • to trace the registered keeper of a vehicle parked on private land • to give out parking tickets • to give out trespass charge notices • to trace people responsible for driving off without paying for goods and services • to trace people suspected of insurance fraud You’ll have send a letter long with the V888 Form providing evidence for the enquiry. You must enclose a cheque or postal order of £2.50 per enquiry when sending the V888 form.
How can I check a car's history for free in the UK?
You can find when the car was first registered and the number of previous owners for free on the car’s Autotrader advert. We also provide a free five-point basic check that flags if car is stolen, scrapped, written off, imported or exported.
If you want a more in-depth history check, you can buy a Vehicle Check on Autotrader, for just £4.95. With Vehicle Check you get a 27-point report about the car’s spec, engine, Co2 emission and more, so that you have full peace of mind before buying the car. You also get a £30,000 data guarantee in case any detail in the report is incorrect so you don’t lose out.
If you want a more in-depth history check, you can buy a Vehicle Check on Autotrader, for just £4.95. With Vehicle Check you get a 27-point report about the car’s spec, engine, Co2 emission and more, so that you have full peace of mind before buying the car. You also get a £30,000 data guarantee in case any detail in the report is incorrect so you don’t lose out.
Why is it important to know who’s the registered keeper of the car?
The registered keeper of your car is responsible for taxing and insuring the car. Knowing who the registered keeper of the car is can help you keep a check that your car is complying with all legal requirements for driving on the UK roads.
If you’re caught driving an untaxed or uninsured car, the registered keeper can receive a fine and the police can seize your car. Or if you’re ever caught for a driving offence such as speeding or using your mobile while driving, the registered keeper of the car will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice.
If you’re caught driving an untaxed or uninsured car, the registered keeper can receive a fine and the police can seize your car. Or if you’re ever caught for a driving offence such as speeding or using your mobile while driving, the registered keeper of the car will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice.