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Have you written off or sold your car? Or has its service reached the end and you decide to scrap it? In both cases it’s very important that you’ve to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you’re no longer the owner of the car or this car no longer exists. Here’s everything you need to know about how to notify the DVLA about the current position of your car.

How to notify DVLA?

The easiest way to notify DVLA about your written off or passed car or scrap car is by using its website or you can notify by post.

If you scrap your car, you’ll be given a Certificate of Destruction(CoD). To ensure your car has been scrapped you should keep CoD in a safe place to avoid unusual counters as it’s the proof of your scrapped car. 

And if you have written off or passed the car it is your responsibility as the seller to inform the DVLA that you’ve relinquished control of the vehicle.

Using online

To notify DVLA by using online you’ll just need the vehicle registration number, the 11-digit reference number from your V5 and the name and address of the scrapyard that is disposing of it .

You’ll need the name and address of the scrapyard, even if you didn’t get any money for it. The vehicle registration number and your V5C logbook will also be needed. 

You’ll need an 11-digit reference number from the V5C. And this can be found in Section Four if your logbook was issued after April 2019, or you can search Section Nine if your logbook is issued before April 2019.

Simply fill out the form with these details, and viola!  You’re done. The DVLA now knows your car has been scrapped.

By post

To inform the DVLA by post that you’ve scrapped your car can take a long time. Simply fill out Section Four of your logbook, or section Nine if it’s from before April 2019, and post the relevant section to the DVLA. The address is: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA

You’ll still need the name and the address of the scrapyard for this procedure. Once you’ve posted the section of your logbook, the DVLA will send you a confirmation letter within four weeks.

If you don’t receive your letter from the DVLA within estimated days, it’s really important to make them aware about it. 

If your car has been written off or scrapped by your insurance company

If your car has been written off or scrapped by your insurance company, you must make sure to inform the DVLA by providing information like, your insurance company’s name and postcode , registration number of your vehicle and 11-digit reference number from the yellow “sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade” section of the log book (V5C).

The details you provide must be correct. And once the procedure is completed, you’ll receive an email from DVLA by stating that you’re no longer the keeper of the vehicle.

You should remember, if you ‘Fast Scrap’ a vehicle with a personalised registration, you’ll need to retain or transfer the registration of the vehicle, before you hand it over to be scrapped.

What to do if you lost or misplaced a V5C logbook? 

If you’ve misplaced or lost your V5C logbook, don’t worry. If you happen to remember the reference number written down, you can still inform the DVLA about your car online. Or you can explain that you’ve scrapped your car but don’t have the V5C.

It’s highly recommended that you sort a replacement logbook before scrapping your vehicle. If you apply online and pay £25, you should have your new V5C within five days without any sort of problem. You can still scrap your car without a V5C logbook. But legally you should inform the DVLA to make yourself liable.  

Getting Confirmation from the DVLA   

After notifying the DVLA about your car scrap, you should receive confirmation within four weeks that the DVLA has received this information.

If you did it online and gave them your email address you’ll receive it in the form of an email.  Or you’ll get a letter through the post. You’ll also get a refund cheque sent through for any tax you had left on your car.