Telling DVLA after someone dies
Keeping a vehicle
Tell DVLA that you’re the new keeper of the vehicle and tax it in your own name straight away.
You cannot transfer vehicle tax from another person. You must tax the vehicle in your name even if you’re taking over ownership as a family member or looking after it for a short time.
You can be prosecuted if you use the vehicle on a public road before taxing it in your own name and insuring it.
What you do depends on whether you have the vehicle log book (V5C).
If you have the vehicle log book (V5C)
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Fill in section 2 if you have a new style log book with multi-coloured numbered blocks on the front cover. Fill in section 6 if you have the older style log book.
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Tear off and keep the green ‘new keeper’ slip.
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Write a letter explaining your relationship to the person who died, the date they died and who should be paid any vehicle tax refund.
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Send the V5C with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team. Also include form V890 if you want to register the vehicle as off the road (SORN) instead of taxing it.
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DVLA will immediately cancel any existing vehicle tax and direct debits, and send a cheque for any refund and a new V5C.
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Use the new keeper slip to tax the vehicle in your name before you use it on a public road. Do not wait for the new V5C.
Sensitive Casework Team
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ
If you do not have the vehicle log book (V5C)
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Fill in form V62 to apply for a V5C. There’s a £25 fee.
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Write a letter explaining your relationship to the person who died, the date they died and who should be paid any vehicle tax refund.
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Send the V62 and fee with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team. Also include form V890 if you want to register the vehicle as off the road (SORN) instead of taxing it.
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DVLA will immediately cancel any existing vehicle tax and direct debits, and send you a new V5C.
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Use your new V5C to tax the vehicle.
Sensitive Casework Team
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ
If you need help
Contact DVLA if you need help.