When you become the keeper of a car that you’ve bought from a private individual, either you or the seller needs to fill in Section 2 of the V5C with your details and post it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.
If you’ve sold your car to a dealer then the process is similar – although you’ll need to fill out Section 4 of the V5C and return it to the DVLA (see below). That said, it’s increasingly common for people to complete the forms online instead – more on that later.
Section 2 of the V5C is a small but important portion of the document that notifies the DVLA that the car has a new keeper and their records need to be updated. The DVLA will then send the new keeper a fresh V5C – a process that can take up to three weeks. If you’re the new keeper and it hasn’t arrived in that time then drop the DVLA a line.
If you’re selling your car, you’ll need to complete the Section 2 of the V5C yourself, or have the online forms completed in your presence. That way you can be sure that it was done and that your responsibility for the car has ended. The buyer may tell you that they’ll sort it out later, but as a keeper or driver you can be liable for any fines or penalty notices until you’ve officially informed DVLA of the change of keeper’s name. Get them to complete it while you’re with them.