Vehicle registration

This chapter explains the registration documents, certificates, numbers and plates required by vehicles and trailers, including how to obtain and make changes to them.

Registration Explained

A vehicle which is used on the roads must, in all but a few cases, be registered. This involves the identification of the vehicle through a unique registration mark. The owner of the vehicle must provide DVLA with details of the vehicle and its keepers, and they in turn will issue a registration document or certificate which confirms that the registration has been effected. A registration document or certificate (V5C) shows the registered keeper of a vehicle. The registered keeper is the person who keeps the vehicle on a public road and it is important to note that this does not have to be the legal owner.

For more information on vehicle registration, download the vehicle registration chapter of the yearbook of road transport law.

Download the vehicle registration chapter of the Yearbook of Road Transport Law