Telling DVLA after someone dies

Skip contents

Selling a vehicle

What you do depends on whether you have the vehicle log book (V5C).

If you have the vehicle log book (V5C)

Write a letter explaining:

  • your relationship to the person who died
  • the date the person died
  • who should be paid any vehicle tax refund (vehicle tax cannot be transferred to a new owner)

Send the letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team with the right part of the V5C. The part you send depends on whether you’re selling the vehicle to a private individual or a motor trader.

DVLA Sensitive Casework Team

Swansea

SA99 1ZZ

Selling to a private individual

  1. 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.

  2. Give the green ‘new keeper’ slip to the buyer.

  3. Send the V5C with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team.

Selling to a motor trader

  1. Get the motor trader to fill in the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section of the log book.

  2. Send the perforated section with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team.

  3. Give the motor trader the rest of the V5C.

If you do not have the vehicle log book (V5C)

When you sell the car tell the buyer they’ll need to fill in form V62 to apply for a V5C. There’s a £25 fee.

You need to write a letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team to tell them you’ve sold the vehicle. Your letter needs to say:

  • the date you sold the vehicle
  • your relationship to the person who died
  • the date they died
  • who should be paid any vehicle tax refund
  • the buyer’s name and address

DVLA Sensitive Casework Team

Swansea

SA99 1ZZ

If you need help

Contact DVLA if you need help.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content