You'll usually have to register a car or any other vehicle as soon as you've:

• bought it
• built it
• rebuilt or altered it
• imported it

You do this by filling in certain forms and sending them to DVLA Swansea, SA99 1BE. The forms you have to send depend on your circumstances.

There are different registration schemes for the motor trade if you're a vehicle manufacturer, importer or VAT-registered trader.

New vehicles

If you buy a brand new vehicle, the dealer will usually take care of all the necessary arrangements to register it to you.

Used vehicles

The way a used vehicle is registered to you depends on whether it has a registration certificate - also known as a V5C.

Vehicle has a registration certificate (V5C)

The seller must:

• complete section 6 of the V5C (‘new keeper or new name/new address details’)
• sign the declaration in section 8 (you must do this too)
• fill in section 10 (‘new keeper supplement’) and give it to you - this section is also known as the V5C/2
• send the V5C to DVLA

DVLA aims to send out a new V5C to you within 2 to 4 weeks of getting the old V5C from the seller.

If you don’t get it within 4 weeks:

• complete form V62 - ‘Application for a vehicle registration certificate’
• send it to DVLA with the V5C/2 given to you by the seller - if you don’t send in the V5C/2, you’ll have to pay a fee

Download form V62 or get it from any Post Office branch.

Contact DVLA if you don’t receive anything 6 weeks after sending in form V62.

Vehicle doesn't have a registration certificate

DVLA advises that you shouldn't buy a vehicle that doesn't have a registration certificate (V5C).

Register the vehicle in your name by using form V62 ‘Application for a vehicle registration certificate’. You’ll have to pay a fee. See the section above for how to get form V62.

Contact DVLA if you don’t receive anything 6 weeks after sending in form V62.

Checking your new registration certificate

When you receive your registration certificate, it's your responsibility to check all the details are correct. If anything is incorrect, contact DVLA.

Your vehicle may not have been registered before with DVLA if it's:

• brand new
• a kit car
• imported
• been rebuilt or radically altered
• an old or classic vehicle

If you buy a brand new vehicle, the dealer will usually arrange for it to be registered. Otherwise, you need to follow the process below.

Making an application

Fill in form V55/4 or V55/5

For any type of newly registered vehicle, you must fill in either a:

• V55/4 form to register a new vehicle, including new imported vehicles and newly-built (kit) cars
• V55/5 form to register a used vehicle, including rebuilt vehicles, used imported vehicles and older vehicles that have never been registered

Get the forms from DVLA's form ordering service.

Provide identity documents

You should send in your photocard driving licence with your application form to prove your identity.

If you can't do this, you must send in 1 document that proves your name and 1 other document that proves your address.

Documents you can use to confirm your name include:

• current paper driving licence
• passport
• marriage certificate
• decree nisi or absolute
• birth certificate

Documents you can use to confirm your address include:

• recent utility bill (within the last 3 months) - eg gas, electricity, water, landline
• recent bank or building society statement (within the last 3 months)
• medical card
• council tax bill for current year

You can fill in form V959 - 'Notification of name and address check' instead of these documents to prove your identity if you're a current DVLA trade plate holder.

Supporting documents needed for all vehicles

As well as documents to prove your identity, you must also send:

• the cost of the vehicle tax
• the new registration fee of £55, if you have to pay it
• a current MOT certificate, if the vehicle is over 3 years old
• a certificate of newness (or declaration of newness for imported vehicles), if the vehicle's new
• any documents you have relating to the vehicle - eg build plans if it's a kit car
• evidence of type approval (if required)

You must also send an insurance certificate or cover note if you're in Northern Ireland.

Supporting documents needed for some vehicles

You'll have to fill in extra forms if your vehicle is:

• imported
• newly built, rebuilt, or radically altered
• an old vehicle
• a reconstructed classic vehicle

After you've applied

DVLA might need to inspect your vehicle. If your application is approved, DVLA will send you a Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C), commonly known as a logbook. This shows:

• the vehicle's registration number
• the vehicle keeper's name and address
• other information about the vehicle (the make, vehicle identification number (VIN) and number of previous keepers)

DVLA will also send you the vehicle tax disc and your identity documents.

You'll need to provide a prepaid self-addressed, special delivery envelope if you want the documents returned by special delivery.

DVLA can't guarantee the return of the documents by a specific date but you should get a new registration certificate within 6 weeks of getting your application.

If you don't get a response

Contact DVLA if you’ve not had a response after 6 weeks. Don't wait longer than 3 months or DVLA won't be able to investigate properly.

You'll have to pay a fee of £55 if you're registering and taxing a vehicle for the first time with DVLA.

You don’t have to pay for some vehicles, including:

• those first registered and licensed in the disabled exempt taxation class
• historic vehicles previously registered with the old local authorities (late conversions)
• vehicles previously registered in Northern Ireland
• imported vehicles previously registered under the personal export scheme and new means of transport scheme
• visiting forces vehicles
• vehicles registered under the direct export scheme
• vehicles registered for off-road use only
• crown exempt vehicles

Your vehicle must meet the road vehicles regulations if you use it on the road.

How to register

You must follow all the instructions for registering a new vehicle.

You must include the following with your application:

• form V627/1 - ‘Built up vehicle inspection report'
• evidence of type approval, if necessary – see 'Vehicle type approval' below
• the vehicle registration certificate for the original vehicle
• official receipts for any parts used
• photographs of the vehicle

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure about what you need to provide.

Send your application to:

MASET - VC15A
DVLA
SA99 1DZ

Vehicle type approval

You’ll have to get type approval if your vehicle doesn’t qualify to keep its original registration number.

Keep a vehicle's original registration number

A rebuilt vehicle can keep its original registration number if you can prove you've used:

• the original unmodified chassis or bodyshell (car or light van)
• a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original (car or light van)
• the original unmodified frame (motorbike)
• a new frame of the same specification as the original (motorbike)

You must also have 2 other major components from the original vehicle from the following lists.

For cars or light vans:

• suspension (front and back)
• steering assembly
• axles (both)
• transmission
• engine

For motorbikes:

• forks
• wheels
• engine
• gear box

Get a Q registration number

DVLA will give your vehicle a 'Q' prefix registration number if you don't meet the conditions for keeping the original registration number.

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a Q registration number.

Vehicles with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) must never reappear as complete vehicles or be presented for registration, though some components may be recycled. You can't keep the original registration or vehicle identification number.

Your vehicle must meet the road vehicles regulations if you use it on the road.

A kit-built vehicle is one where all the parts are supplied new by the manufacturer.

How to register

You must follow all the instructions for registering a new vehicle.

You must include the following with your application:

• form V627/1 - ‘Built up vehicle inspection report'
• evidence of type approval – see 'Vehicle type approval' below
• official receipts for the vehicle and any parts used
• build plans
• evidence that any ‘reconditioned’ part is to an ‘as new’ standard

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure about what you need to provide.

Send your application to:

MASET - VC15A
DVLA
SA99 1DZ

Vehicle type approval

All kit-built vehicles have to get type approval.

Get a current registration number

You can register a kit-built car, motorcycle or tricycle with a current registration number if you can prove it's all made from new parts supplied by the manufacturer.

You can also get a current registration number for a kit-built car, motorbike or tricycle built with 1 reconditioned part if:

• you can show that the part has been reconditioned to an 'as new' standard, in line with the manufacturer's guidelines
• the part isn't the chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame

Get a Q registration number

DVLA will give your vehicle a 'Q' prefix registration number if you don't meet the conditions for getting a current registration number.

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a Q registration number.

Your vehicle must meet the road vehicles regulations if you use it on the road.

A kit-converted vehicle has had:

• a kit of new parts added to an existing vehicle, or
• old parts added to a new kit

The general appearance of the vehicle will change because of the kit.

How to register

You must follow all the instructions for registering a new vehicle.

You'll need to include the following with your application:

• form V627/1 - ‘Built up vehicle inspection report'
• the vehicle registration certificate for the original vehicle
• evidence of type approval, if necessary – see 'Vehicle type approval' below
• official receipts for any parts used
• build plans
• photographs of the vehicle

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure about what you need to provide.

Send your application to:

MASET - VC15A
DVLA
SA99 1DZ

Keep a vehicle’s original registration number

You can apply to keep a kit converted vehicle’s original registration number if you can prove you’ve used 2 original major parts along with the original unmodified:

• chassis (car or light van)
• monocoque bodyshell (car or light van)
• frame (motorbike)

Get an age-related registration number

You can apply for an age-related number if you can prove you’ve used 2 original major parts along with:

• a new monocoque bodyshell, chassis or frame from a specialist kit manufacturer
• an altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame from the original vehicle

The registration number will be based on the age of the original vehicle.

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get an age-related registration number.

Get a Q registration number

DVLA will give your vehicle a 'Q' prefix registration number if you don't meet the conditions for getting an original or age-related registration number.

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a Q registration number.

Vehicles with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) must never reappear as complete vehicles or be presented for registration, though some components may be recycled. You can't keep the original registration or vehicle identification number.

Your vehicle must comply with the road vehicles regulations if you use it on the road.

Radically altered vehicles are vehicles that have been altered from their original specification, but aren't kit conversions.

How to register

You must follow all the instructions for registering a new vehicle.

You'll need to include the following with your application:

• form V627/1 - 'Built up vehicle inspection report'
• evidence of type approval, if necessary
• the vehicle registration certificate
• official receipts for any parts used
• photographs of the vehicle

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure about what you need to provide.

Send your application to:

MASET - VC15A
DVLA
SA99 1DZ

Get a vehicle registration number

DVLA uses a points system to decide what registration number to give a radically altered vehicle.

Keep the original registration number

Your vehicle must have 8 or more points from the table below if you want to keep the original registration number. 5 of these points must come from having the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.

Get a 'Q' registration number

You won't be able to keep your vehicle’s original registration number if 1 of the following applies:

• it has fewer than 8 points
• it has a second-hand or altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame
• there's evidence that 2 vehicles have been welded together to form 1 (ie 'cut and shut')

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a 'Q' prefix registration number.

Vehicles with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) must never reappear as complete vehicles or be presented for registration, though some components may be recycled. You can't keep the original registration or vehicle identification number.

Your vehicle must meet the road vehicles regulations if you use it on the road.

If you have a classic vehicle that hasn't been taxed since 1983, it might not be registered with DVLA.

If this is the case and you want to register it, follow all the instructions for registering a vehicle for the first time.

Get your vehicle's original registration number

You may be able to register an old vehicle under its original registration number if either:

• it's never been registered at DVLA
• it has an age-related registration number

To do this, you’ll have to:

• follow the instructions for new registrations
• fill in form V765 - 'Application to register a vehicle under its original registration number'
• get form V765 endorsed by a vehicle owners' club
• provide a recent photo of the vehicle and documentary evidence that links it to the original number - eg the original log book

Send the forms to DVLA Swansea, SA99 1BE.

After you’ve applied

DVLA will issue a V5C registration certificate and give you either:

• the original registration number - if this happens, you won't be allowed to transfer it or put it onto retention at a later date
• another number appropriate to the age of the vehicle - if this is a non-suffix or prefix number, it will also be non-transferable

Your vehicle must comply with the road vehicles regulations if you use it on the road.

How to register

You must follow all the instructions for registering a new vehicle.

You must include the following with your application:

• written report from the appropriate vehicle owners' club
• form V627/1 - ‘Built up vehicle inspection report’
• evidence of type approval, if necessary
• official receipts for any parts used

Get an age-related registration number

DVLA can only recognise your vehicle as a reconstructed classic vehicle if it meets certain criteria. It must be:

• built from genuine period components from more than one vehicle, all over 25 years old and of the same specification as the original vehicle
• a true reflection of the marque

The appropriate vehicle owners' club for the vehicle type (‘marque’) must inspect the vehicle and confirm in writing that it:

• has been inspected
• is a true reflection of the marque
• is comprised of genuine period components all over 25 years old

They must also give manufacture dates for the major components.

DVLA will assign an age-related registration number to the vehicle based on the youngest component used.

New or replica parts

Your vehicle won't get an age-related registration number if it includes new or replica parts. DVLA will give your vehicle a ‘Q’ prefix registration number. Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a 'Q' prefix registration number.

Vehicles with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) must never reappear as complete vehicles or be presented for registration, though some components may be recycled. You can't keep the original registration or vehicle identification number.

All vehicles registered in the UK must have a unique, stamped-in vehicle identification number (VIN) and registration number.

Find your VIN

The VIN is usually stamped into the chassis of the vehicle. It may be lost if you rebuild or modify your vehicle.

When you may need a new VIN or registration

If you have a kit car, rebuild, or radically altered vehicle, DVLA will usually have to assess it.

You may be able to keep its original registration number if you can prove the vehicle's original VIN. If you can't, you'll have to apply for a replacement identity number.

DVLA will give you an authorisation letter to get the vehicle stamped with the new VIN if your vehicle passes its assessment.

You then need to register the vehicle - you can only do this when DVLA receives confirmation it's been stamped with the correct VIN.

DVLA issues 'Q' registration numbers to vehicles whose age or identity is in doubt.

If this happens, any original vehicle registration number will become invalid and you mustn't display it again.

To get a 'Q' registration number, your vehicle has to pass a type approval process.