Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency
January 23
17:31
2025
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You have to register a car or any other vehicle as soon as youve:
- bought it
- built it
- rebuilt or altered it
- imported it
You have to register a car when you import it, even if it has been registered in the UK before and then exported.
You do this by filling in forms and sending them to DVLA. The forms you have to send depend on your circumstances.
DVLA may need to inspect your vehicle to:
- make sure the vehicle exists, has been assembled into a complete vehicle and the vehicle log book (V5C) is in your name
- update their records because of changes youve made to the vehicle
They will send you a letter if they need to do this. You will not have to pay a fee.
Use the different registration schemes for the motor trade if youre a vehicle manufacturer, importer or VAT-registered trader.