Keep Your Documents Up to Date
While having a car can give you freedom, it comes with responsibilities. Beyond insurance, fuel and maintenance, something that might slip your mind is taxing it. The V5C logbook is usually a key document you need to tax your car, but what if you don’t have it? Perhaps it’s lost, been stolen or you bought a second-hand car without one. Luckily, there are ways around this.
In this article, we’ll be going over alternative ways you can tax your vehicle without the V5 form to ensure your registration stays up-to-date.
What is a V5?
The V5 registration document, also known as a V5C logbook, is essential paperwork for any car owner in the UK. Issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), it acts as both a registration certificate and a record of ownership.
The V5 contains important details about your vehicle, including its make, model, engine size and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It also displays the current registered keeper and any previous registered keepers. This document is required to prove ownership when selling your car, taxing it or getting insurance.
What Do I Need to Tax My Car?
To tax your car, you’ll need the reference number from one of the following documents:
- V5C logbook with the vehicle registered in your name.
- V11 reminder letter.
- V62 application for a registration certificate if you’re the current keeper.
- V5C/2 green ‘new keeper’ slip if you have just bought the car and it’s not registered under your name.
If you don’t have one of these documents, you’ll have to apply for a new V5C logbook.
How Do I Tax My Car Without V5?
When it’s that time of year to tax your car and you don’t have your vehicle’s V5 registration, here are some ways you can tax your car without it.
Use an Alternate Document
The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to have your V5C logbook to tax your car. You can use several other alternate documents to find the reference number you need to tax it. Documents that can be used in place of a V5 are a V11 reminder, a V62 application form or a V5C/2 green ‘new keeper’ slip. To renew your car tax, you can do it online, over the phone or at a post office.
Apply for a New V5C Registration
If you don’t have any of the above documentation, don’t worry. You can easily apply for a new V5C logbook if the original has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. If the details on the new V5C that you’re requesting can remain the same, you can order a new one online or by phone. The service costs £25 and can be paid using a credit or debit card. You must be the registered keeper on the V5C to apply online and you’ll usually receive it within five working days.
However, if you need to change some of the details on your V5C you’ll have to request a new one by post. To apply by post, you must download and fill in the V62 form and mail it to the DVLA address noted on their website. If you don’t have a ‘new keeper’ slip, the cost is £25 and a cheque or postal order for this amount must be made payable to ‘DVLA, Swansea.’ If you have a ‘new keeper’ slip, include this with the form and there will be no cost for the application.
Tax Your Car at a Post Office
The last way you can tax your car without a V5C registration or a V11 reminder letter is to complete it at a post office. First, you should find a post office branch that offers vehicle tax services. Then you can head to the closest branch with a valid MOT, proof of insurance and either the completed V62 form with the £25 fee or your ‘new keeper’ slip. On top of these documents, it’s a good idea to take some government-issued photo identification with you just in case.
Final Thoughts on Taxing a Car Without V5
It’s important to keep in mind that taxing your car is a legal requirement for driving it on the road. Don’t let a missing V5 document get you in trouble with hefty fines or driving penalties. Even without a V5C logbook, you can take the proactive steps we covered in this article to ensure that your car is taxed and legal to drive.
If you’re unsure about any part of the process, don’t hesitate to contact the DVLA directly to get clarification. So, whether you have your reminder letter, some alternative documentation or need to apply for a new V5, take action today and keep your car on the road legally and responsibly.