What information is found on a vehicle registration document? The V5C registration certificate, commonly called the logbook, records the vehicle's registration number, make, model, colour, fuel type, engine capacity, date of first registration and chassis or VIN, together with the name and address of the registered keeper. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) issues it.
Part of DVLA Vehicle Details. Start with the main guide: Car Spec Check by Registration
Updated October 2026 · Independent information, not legal advice
The document is a record of who is responsible for a vehicle, not a certificate of ownership. Understanding each box on the V5C helps you sell or buy safely, correct a mistake, tax a vehicle and spot a suspicious document. The lookups on the DVSA and DVLA databases mirror many of the same fields, but never the keeper's name.
What Is A Vehicle Registration Document?
A vehicle registration document is the official paper record the DVLA issues for each registered road vehicle in Great Britain. In everyday speech it is the logbook, the V5C, the V5 or the car registration document, and they all mean the same thing.
Other names for the same document
Searches such as "v5 registration document", "v5c vehicle registration certificate", "vehicle registration certificate", "car registration certificate" and "certificate of registration of motor vehicle", "car v5c" and "v5 vehicle log book" all describe the V5C. A vehicle log book or car logbook is the same paper record, not a service book.
Not a logbook in the old sense
Despite the name, the document does not record service history. A car log book in this sense is about registration, not maintenance.
What Does A Car Log Book Look Like?
A V5C is a printed certificate with security features, issued by the DVLA, and its layout is standard. If you have ever asked "what does a car log book look like" or "what does a logbook for a car look like", the answer is a multi-section paper form with boxes for vehicle details and the keeper's details.
- It carries the DVLA name and a document reference number.
- It has sections for the vehicle, the keeper and the process for selling or scrapping.
- It includes a tear-off part used when a vehicle is sold.
The exact design is updated from time to time, so compare yours with the examples on GOV.UK if something looks unusual.
Vehicle Details Recorded On The V5C
The vehicle section is the heart of the document. These are the main fields.
Identification fields
- Registration number: the plate
- Make and model: manufacturer and model
- VIN or chassis number
- Engine number, where recorded
Technical fields
- Fuel type and engine capacity (cc)
- CO2 emissions where recorded
- Colour
- Date of first registration and, on some records, the date of manufacture
Classification fields
- Vehicle category and body type
- Wheelplan and type approval
- Revenue weight for goods vehicles
Privacy of keeper details
The name and address on the V5C are personal data. The DVLA only discloses them to people with a legitimate reason, and a free number plate check never shows them.
Keeper Details On The V5C
The V5C names the registered keeper, the person or organisation responsible for the vehicle, and the address held by the DVLA. The keeper is not necessarily the legal owner, for example when a car is on finance or lease.
Why the address matters
Tax reminders, fines and V5C replacements go to this address, so keep it current. See how to change your address for car tax.
Keeper versus owner
A V5C names who is responsible for the car, which is not the same as who legally owns it. A finance company can be the owner while you are the keeper.
What counts as supporting evidence
A sales receipt, a finance agreement and the history of past V5Cs all help, but a registered keeper entry alone is not conclusive.
Is The V5C Proof Of Vehicle Ownership?
No: the V5C is not proof of vehicle ownership. It shows who the DVLA has recorded as the registered keeper, and it can be used with other evidence, such as a receipt or finance agreement, to show who owns a car.
- A seller who has the V5C is not necessarily the owner.
- A buyer should also check there is no outstanding finance.
- See car finance checker for what a finance check covers.
The V5C Document Reference Number
Each V5C carries an document reference number, which the DVLA uses to identify that issue of the certificate. Online services that need to confirm you hold the document ask for it.
Can you find your V5C number online?
People ask "can i find my v5c number online", "find v5c number online" and "find my v5c number". The reference number is printed on the certificate itself, and there is no public online service that displays it to someone without the document. If it is lost, apply to the DVLA for a replacement.
Can you find your V5C online?
Can you find your V5C online? Not as a document: the car V5C is issued on paper, and the DVLA service only confirms certain details, so a missing one is replaced rather than downloaded.
Can you view your V5 online?
"Can i view my v5 online" has a limited answer. You cannot normally view the certificate online, but you can check some vehicle details with the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service on GOV.UK and use online services with the V5C details.
Last V5 Issued And The V5C Issue Date
The date the last V5C was issued appears on the certificate and in the official lookup, and people search for it as "last v5 issued" and "last v5c issue date". It is worth reading, because a recent issue date can mean a recent change of keeper or a replacement.
What the date tells you
- A very recent date on a car being sold may mean a new keeper or a replacement.
- A V5C issue date older than the sale date is normal.
- It cannot tell you the number of previous keepers.
V5C Certificate Count
A search such as "v5c certificate count" usually refers to how many V5Cs have been issued for a vehicle or the number of keepers shown. The certificate itself does not give a verified count of issues, and previous keepers appear only in some records. For the keeper count see how many owners has my car had.
What A V5C Does Not Show
A V5C does not show service history, MOT status, insurance, finance, write-off category or whether the vehicle is stolen. It is a registration record.
| Detail | V5C | Free lookup |
|---|---|---|
| Registered keeper name and address | Yes | No |
| Make, model, colour, fuel | Yes | Yes |
| Engine capacity | Yes | Yes |
| MOT status and history | No | Yes |
| Tax status and due date | No | Yes |
| Finance, write-off, stolen | No | No |
How To Register A New Vehicle
To register new vehicle details with the DVLA, a manufacturer or dealer normally registers a brand-new vehicle for you and you receive a V5C. An imported or rebuilt vehicle needs an application to the DVLA with evidence of identity, age and approval.
Registering a new vehicle you have bought
The dealer usually submits the registration and the V5C arrives by post at the keeper address. If it does not arrive in a reasonable time, contact the DVLA.
Imports and kit cars
These follow a separate process, so check GOV.UK for the supporting documents required.
After you send the form
The DVLA normally issues a new V5C in your name, which arrives by post. Until it does, keep your receipt and the confirmation reference.
Buying A Car: The New Keeper Section
When you buy a car, the V5C has a section for the new keeper. Complete it with the seller, send it or notify the DVLA online, and receive a new V5C in your name.
- Check the seller matches the keeper on the document.
- Confirm the VIN and registration match the car.
- Complete the keeper change online or by post.
- Tax the vehicle before driving it, because tax does not transfer.
- Keep the new V5C safe when it arrives.
Selling A Car: What To Do With The V5C
When you sell, tell the DVLA you have sold the vehicle, using the online service or the section on the V5C, and give the buyer the new keeper part. The DVLA then updates its record and cancels the tax.
- Notify the DVLA straight away so you are not liable for later fines.
- Keep a record of the sale date and buyer details.
- Do not send a signed blank V5C to a buyer you cannot identify.
Avoiding look-alike sites
Search results show private sites charging extra for the same form, so begin at GOV.UK and check the web address ends in gov.uk.
Lost Logbook For Car: How To Replace It
If you have a lost logbook for car purposes or a damaged V5C, you can apply to the DVLA for a replacement. Use the official GOV.UK service, because unofficial sites often charge more for the same form.
Apply replacement V5
To apply replacement V5 you normally need the registration number, your name and address as recorded and a payment. The new V5C is posted to the keeper address. Allow time for delivery.
New log book for car with changed details
A new log book for car details is issued when keeper, address or vehicle details change. You do not request a new one just to look at it, only when something needs updating.
Change Of Address On A V5C
You can do a change of address v5 online using the DVLA's service and the V5C reference details. The DVLA updates the record and sends an updated certificate, which prevents tax reminders and fines going to an old address.
- Update the address when you move, not after a letter goes astray.
- Update your driving licence separately, see provisional driving licence for the driver side.
Changing Vehicle Details On The V5C
If the colour, engine, fuel type or body type of a vehicle changes, update the registered details using the V5C. Showing the correct specification protects insurance cover and avoids mismatches on checks.
Colour changes
A respray or wrap in a different colour should be notified.
Fuel type or engine changes
A conversion or engine swap should be notified, and may affect tax and insurance.
V5C And Private Plates
When a private plate is assigned to a vehicle, the DVLA updates the record and issues a new V5C showing the new registration number. Read how to put a private number plate on a car.
Retained numbers
A retained number is held on a retention document until assigned. The V5C of the donor vehicle shows its replacement number.
V5C And Vehicle Tax
Vehicle excise duty (VED, road tax) is paid for a vehicle on the V5C, and the details on it help to tax a vehicle online, though the DVLA can use the registration and other details when a V5C is missing. See how to tax a car without a V5C.
Which tax band applies
The V5C does not state the tax band, but the first registration date, fuel type and CO2 figure recorded on it decide which band or rate table applies. Check the current table on GOV.UK.
Fields that overlap
Make, model, colour, fuel, engine capacity, year and the date of the last V5C appear in both the document and the lookup, so the two can be compared quickly.
What A Free Lookup Shows From The Same Record
A free lookup shows many V5C fields, including make, model, colour, fuel, engine size and the date of last V5C issue, but not keeper details. Enter the registration into the number plate check to see them. The DVLA vehicle details overview covers the wider set.
V5C For Motorbikes, Vans And Classics
The V5C format is similar for motorbikes, vans and classic vehicles, with fields suited to each type. Vans show revenue weight, and classics may show an older first registration date.
Northern Ireland And Imports From Abroad
Northern Ireland vehicles are registered with the DVLA and receive a V5C, while tests are run by the DVA. A vehicle from the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere needs registering before use. See Irish reg check.
What to do if you suspect fraud
Do not hand over money. Walk away and, if you believe the vehicle or document is stolen or forged, report it to the police.
Spotting A Suspicious V5C
- Mismatched VIN or registration with the car
- Alterations, smudging or missing sections
- A seller who will not meet at the keeper's address
- A document reference number that does not seem to belong to that issue
If in doubt, do not buy until the DVLA has confirmed the position, and run a history check.
Why The VIN On The V5C Matters
The vehicle identification number printed on the V5C should match the number stamped on the vehicle, and a mismatch is one of the clearest warning signs when buying. See car vehicle identification number for where it is found.
Where to compare it
On modern vehicles the 17-character VIN sits on the chassis, often visible at the base of the windscreen and on a plate in the door frame or engine bay. Compare each character with the V5C.
Why a plate lookup cannot do this
A number plate lookup does not display the VIN, so the V5C and the car itself are the only places to compare it.
Finance, Lease And Company Vehicles
On finance or lease, the V5C shows the keeper, usually you or your company, while the finance company legally owns the vehicle until the agreement ends. A seller who is only the keeper cannot normally pass on ownership of a car under finance.
Check before you buy
A finance check is separate from the V5C, see private number plates on finance for how finance can attach to plates.
Company fleets
A company is the registered keeper of its fleet, and changes of driver do not change the keeper.
V5C And Insurance
An insurer asks for registration details, and the V5C is the reference for them. The insurer uses the registration to match the vehicle, while the DVLA's Motor Insurance Database records cover. See is my car insured.
Mismatched details
If the engine, fuel or colour on the V5C differs from the car, tell the insurer as well as the DVLA.
V5C And The MOT
The V5C does not record MOT status, which is held by the DVSA and shown in MOT history. You normally need the vehicle's registration to check it, see MOT history.
Why the two records differ
The V5C is a registration record updated when something changes. The MOT record is updated each time the vehicle is tested.
When The V5C Is Wrong
Mistakes happen: a misspelt name, an old address or an incorrect colour or engine size. The V5C itself can be corrected by notifying the DVLA.
What to do
- Mark the correction on the form where it asks.
- Send it with proof where needed.
- Keep a copy of the correction.
How long it takes
It depends on the DVLA's workload, so allow time and check the current guidance.
Scrapping A Vehicle And The V5C
When a vehicle is scrapped, the keeper completes the relevant part of the V5C or notifies the DVLA online, and the authorised treatment facility issues a certificate of destruction. The DVLA then records the vehicle as scrapped.
Why this matters
An unreported scrapped car can still produce tax letters addressed to you.
Keeping proof
Keep the certificate of destruction with your tax records.
Who Can Ask For A V5C?
Only the registered keeper can request a replacement V5C from the DVLA. A buyer without a V5C should be cautious, but may be able to tax the vehicle with the DVLA's other details. See how to tax a car without a V5C.
Scenario: Buying A Car With No V5C
A buyer finds a car with the V5C "in the post". The honest options are to wait for the V5C, ask the DVLA process for a replacement via the keeper or walk away. Without the V5C the new keeper cannot easily update the registration.
Red flags
- No V5C and no clear reason
- A seller who only meets at a car park
- A price far below similar cars
Myths About The Logbook
"The logbook says who owns the car"
It names the keeper, not necessarily the legal owner.
"A new log book changes the registration number"
A new logbook is issued with updated details, and the registration number remains unless a different number is assigned.
"A V5C is always in the glovebox"
Keeping the V5C at home reduces the chance of it being stolen with the vehicle.
Common Mistakes With The V5C
- Treating it as proof of ownership
- Forgetting to notify the DVLA after a sale
- Keeping the V5C in the glovebox, where it can be stolen with the car
- Assuming a lookup shows the keeper
Quick Checklist Before Buying Or Selling
- V5C reference, VIN and registration match the vehicle
- Keeper name matches the seller
- Finance, write-off and stolen checks completed
- Keeper change completed online
- Tax and insurance arranged
Official Sources
GOV.UK covers every V5C service, including replacement and change of details. The DVLA publishes the current form layout, how to complete the keeper sections and what to do when a document is lost, damaged or never arrives. Where the guidance on a third-party site and GOV.UK differ, GOV.UK is the one to follow, and for anything touching the sale or scrapping of a vehicle, keep a record of the date, the registration number and the confirmation reference the DVLA gives you. If you are unsure which service applies to your situation, the DVLA's contact options are listed on GOV.UK, and the explainer on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) shows how the agency's services fit together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is found on a vehicle registration document?
The V5C shows the registration number, make, model, colour, fuel type, engine capacity, date of first registration, VIN or chassis number, vehicle category and the registered keeper's name and address. It also carries a document reference number and sections for notifying the DVLA of a sale.
What does a car log book look like?
It is a printed paper certificate issued by the DVLA, with the vehicle details at the top, the keeper's name and address and a tear-off part for a new keeper. Designs change over time, so check GOV.UK for the current layout.
Is the V5C proof of ownership?
No. The V5C records the registered keeper, who is responsible for the vehicle, but it is not proof of legal ownership. Proof of ownership comes from other evidence, such as a receipt or finance agreement.
Can I find my V5C number online?
Not publicly. The document reference number is printed on the certificate, and there is no open service that displays it. If you have lost the V5C, apply to the DVLA for a replacement through GOV.UK.
Can I view my V5 online?
You cannot normally view the certificate itself online. You can check some vehicle details, such as make, tax and MOT status, with the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service on GOV.UK, and use online services to update details.
How do I apply for a replacement V5C?
Apply through the DVLA's online service on GOV.UK if you are the registered keeper. You usually need the registration number and your details. The replacement is posted to the keeper address on record, so update the address first if it is wrong.
What is the last V5C issue date?
It is the date the DVLA last issued a V5C for the vehicle, shown on the certificate and in the official vehicle lookup. A recent date can mean a change of keeper or a replacement, so ask the seller about it.
How do I do a change of address on a V5C online?
Use the DVLA's online service for updating the registered keeper address, with the V5C details to hand. The DVLA updates the record and sends an updated certificate. Do this when you move, so reminders and letters reach you.
How do I register a new vehicle?
A dealer normally registers a new vehicle and you receive the V5C. For imported or rebuilt vehicles, apply to the DVLA with evidence of identity, age and approval. Check GOV.UK for the documents required in your case.
What if I lose my logbook?
A lost logbook can be replaced through the DVLA. Use the official service rather than a third-party site, and expect the new V5C by post to the keeper address. Until it arrives, you can still check the vehicle online with its registration.
Does the V5C show service history or MOT?
No. It is a registration record. MOT history is held by the DVSA and can be checked with the registration, while service history sits in the service book or a garage's records.
Does the V5C show the number of previous keepers?
Not reliably. Some versions of the registration document show previous keepers, but you should not treat it as a verified count. A full history check is a better way to see keeper changes.
Can I tax a car without the V5C?
Often yes. The DVLA's online tax service can use other details, such as the vehicle reference number from a recent V5C or the registration, depending on the situation. A new keeper without the document should apply for a replacement as well. Check GOV.UK for the route that applies to your vehicle.
What should I check on a V5C when buying a used car?
Check that the registration, VIN, make, model and colour match the car, that the keeper's name and address match the seller, and that nothing looks altered. Then run a lookup for MOT and tax status, and a history check for finance, write-off and stolen data.
Does a motorbike or van have a V5C too?
Yes. Motorbikes, vans and other road vehicles registered with the DVLA all have a V5C, with fields suited to the vehicle type, such as revenue weight for vans. The keeper and replacement rules are the same.
Official Sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm anything that affects your money or legal position with the official service.