You must update your registration certificate (V5C) if there are any mistakes on it, or if you make any of the following changes to your vehicle:

• colour
• engine
• cylinder capacity (cc)
• fuel type
• replacing or modifying the chassis or bodyshell
• seating capacity
• weight of a goods vehicle
• tax class changed to ‘disabled’

You’ll need to send your updated certificate to DVLA with any necessary evidence.

Changes that may need to be inspected

Your vehicle may have to be inspected after reporting any of the following changes:

• wheel plan
• body type (DVLA give a body type description based on the vehicle’s external appearance)
• vehicle identification number (VIN)
• chassis number
• frame number for motorbikes

DVLA will tell you if your vehicle needs an inspection.

You might need to give DVLA evidence or written confirmation of the changes to your vehicle.

Engine number or cylinder capacity (cc)

You'll need to provide either:

• a receipt for the replacement engine
• written evidence from the manufacturer
• an inspection report provided for insurance purposes
• written confirmation on headed paper from a garage (if the change took place before you bought the vehicle)

Fuel type

You'll need to provide evidence if:

• your existing engine is converted – the confirmation must be on headed paper from the garage that did the work
• a new engine is fitted – provide the receipt as confirmation

Weight of a larger vehicle

If you change the weight of a large vehicle (eg a camper van), you'll need to provide either:

• a plating certificate
• a design weight certificate

Change of tax class

You can request a change of tax class at any Post Office that issues tax discs. The Post Office can tell you which tax class your vehicle can have.

The Post Office will send your V5C or V62 to DVLA, who will send you an updated V5C.

You must apply with:

• MOT, public service vehicle or goods vehicle test certificate or exemptions (V112/V112G)
• reduced pollution certificate (if applying for a reduced pollution rate)

You can get an exemption or a reduction in vehicle tax if you get:

• higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement

This depends on whether the change you've made on your registration certificate affects your vehicle tax.

Changes affecting your vehicle tax

You’ll have to update your vehicle tax as well as updating your registration certificate if you’ve made a change to the following:

• engine size (cc)
• fuel type
• weight of a goods vehicle
• number of seats on a bus

If the change doesn't affect your vehicle tax

1. Mark any changes on section 7 of your registration certificate and sign it.

2. Send your registration certificate with any necessary evidence to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.

If the change affects your vehicle tax

1. Mark any changes on section 7 of your registration certificate and sign it.

2. Send your registration certificate with any necessary evidence to DVLA Swansea, SA99 1DZ.

3. Exchange your tax disc - this can be done at the same time as step 2.

If the change isn’t listed in the registration certificate

Fill in section 4 of the certificate and send DVLA evidence and a letter explaining the change.