Selling a car is simple, but the legal responsibility only ends once the DVLA updates its records. If you do not tell the DVLA you have sold the car, your name still sits on the vehicle register and you can receive parking fines, speeding letters, tax notices and even court warnings for something that has nothing to do with you.

Sold my car DVLA - what you must do

As soon as ownership changes, the DVLA needs to update the registered keeper. This confirms that the vehicle is no longer your legal responsibility.

You should:

1. Record the buyer’s name and address

2. Complete the relevant part of the V5C logbook

3. Inform the DVLA on the same day

Once you have done this:

• Road tax stops

• Penalties are no longer linked to you

• Buyers can register the vehicle in their name

Do I need to notify DVLA if I sell my car

Yes. Even if:

• It was sold privately

• A motor trader bought it

• It was sold online

• You scrapped it

• The car was written off

• It was given to someone for free

The DVLA always needs to know.

What do I need to do when I sell my car DVLA

Here is the checklist most garages in the UK use:

Step 1 – Confirm buyer’s identity

Write down:

• Full name

• Address

• Email if available

If a private buyer refuses to provide details, do not hand over the keys. You need those details to protect yourself.

Step 2 – Make sure the sale date is correct

The DVLA records the sale based on the date you submit. If the buyer collects the vehicle later, record the actual date it leaves your possession.

Step 3 – Use the online service if possible

Online notification updates instantly. Post takes longer and can delay tax refunds.

Step 4 – Keep a simple record of the sale

A handwritten receipt is enough:

• Date

• Vehicle registration

• Make and model

• Sale price

• Buyer details

• Your name and signature

This protects you if anything comes back later.

How do I notify DVLA of change of ownership – online process

Notifying the DVLA online is the recommended method. It takes under five minutes and updates ownership instantly.

You will need:

• The 11-digit reference number from the front of the V5C

• The buyer’s name

• Buyer’s address

How to tell DVLA sold car online

1. Visit GOV.UK and select the DVLA change of ownership service

2. Enter the registration number

3. Enter the V5C reference number

4. Enter the buyer’s details

5. Confirm the date the vehicle was sold

6. Submit

Once completed:

• You receive confirmation by email

• The DVLA updates instantly

• Road tax stops

• A refund for any unused full months is calculated automatically

The new keeper must then tax the vehicle before driving it.

Also Check: DVLA Change of Address 

How to tell DVLA I sold my car by post

Some people still prefer paper. The postal process takes longer but is still legal.

What to send

For private buyers:

• Complete the “new keeper” section of the V5C

• Tear it off

• Post it to:

DVLA  
Swansea  
SA99 1BA

You should only choose this method if:

• You do not have internet access

• The V5C reference number is unreadable

• You prefer paper records

Processing can take up to two weeks and tax refunds take longer.

Selling car change of address DVLA

If you have moved recently, check the address on the V5C.

• If the V5C has the old address, still send it

• Then update your driving licence address separately afterwards

This prevents enforcement letters going to the incorrect location.

Selling to a motor trader – what changes

If you are selling the car to a dealer, online car buying service or trader:

• You can notify the DVLA online

• Or the trader can do it for you

Most traders complete the online form immediately while you are present. Ask for confirmation so you know it has been done.

Selling a car without a V5C log book

A missing V5C does not stop a sale, but you must notify the DVLA yourself.

Can I tell DVLA I sold my car without a V5C

Yes. Write a letter to the DVLA including:

• Vehicle registration

• Make and model

• Your name and address

• Buyer’s name and address

• The date of sale

Send it to:

DVLA  
Swansea  
SA99 1BA

This method takes longer because the DVLA must manually verify the details.

V5C log book when selling car – what goes to the buyer

For private sales:

• Give the buyer the V5C/2 section (green slip)

• You keep the main page to complete the online notification

This is all the new keeper needs to tax the vehicle.

DVLA tax refund after selling car

Refunds happen automatically once the DVLA updates records.

What happens to road tax when you sell a car

• Road tax never transfers to a new keeper

• The buyer must tax the vehicle before driving

• You are refunded for any full unused months

Refunds come by cheque or bank transfer depending on how your tax was originally paid.

How long does a DVLA refund take

Most arrive within:

• 5–10 working days if notified online

• 2–6 weeks if sent by post

If you have moved house, make sure the DVLA has the correct address, otherwise the cheque may never reach you.

What happens if you don’t tell DVLA you sold car

This is one of the biggest problems DVLA deals with. If their system still shows you as the registered keeper, you could receive:

• Parking fines

• Speeding letters

• Private parking company fees

• Congestion charges

• SORN penalty notices

• Late road tax warnings

• Debt recovery letters

• County court notices

All of these can escalate if ignored, even though the car is no longer yours.

Reporting the sale protects you and proves when you transferred ownership.

Real example - what can go wrong

A common situation:

Someone sells their car privately. The buyer promises to “sort out the DVLA paperwork later”. A week later the new owner collects several parking penalties and ignores them. The council tracks the keeper and writes to the previous owner. Months later, a court warning arrives.

This happens often because no DVLA update ever took place.

If the seller had:

• Written the buyer’s details down

• Notified the DVLA online the same day

none of the penalties would have reached them.

Final note

If you tell the DVLA at the point of sale, you are protected from anything that happens after the car leaves your possession. Whether you sold the car privately, to a dealer, online, or to a family member, the process is quick, free and takes only a few minutes online.