Register a new vehicle
The dealer will usually register a brand new vehicle for you.
If the dealer will not do it, you can register the vehicle yourself.
If your vehicle is a new heavy goods vehicle (HGV), you also need to record the details of your HGV with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Register a used vehicle
The seller will usually register a used vehicle for you. They can do it online or by post.
You’ll need to register your used vehicle yourself if it does not have a vehicle log book (V5C).
You need to tax a used vehicle before you can use it on the road.
Registering online
The seller will need to:
Registering by post
The seller will need to:
- complete section 2 if they have a new style V5C (with multi-coloured numbered blocks on the front cover) or section 6 if they have the older style V5C
- sign the declaration in section 8 if they have the older style V5C (you must sign the declaration too)
- fill in the green ‘new keeper’ slip and give it to you
- send the V5C to DVLA
If the vehicle does not have a V5C
DVLA advises that you should not buy a vehicle that does not have a V5C.
Download form V62 and send it to DVLA to register the vehicle in your name. You’ll have to pay £25.
When you’ll get your new V5C
You’ll usually get your new V5C within 4 weeks of the vehicle being registered.
You’ll get your new V5C within 3 to 5 days if both of the following apply to your vehicle:
- it’s a used vehicle
- the seller registered it to you online
Checking your new V5C
When you receive your V5C, it’s your responsibility to check all the details are correct.
If anything on your V5C is wrong
Make the changes on the V5C and send it back to DVLA.
You’ll get the replacement V5C within 4 weeks.
If your new V5C has not arrived
If it’s been 4 weeks since the V5C was registered or you sent it to be corrected, contact DVLA.
Contact DVLA before 6 weeks have passed. If you have not received your V5C after 6 weeks and you have not told DVLA, you’ll have to pay £25 to get another one.
If it’s a used vehicle registered by post
There’s a different way to get another V5C sent to you. You’ll need to:
The new keeper slip needs to be from the most recent V5C. Check that the date on the slip matches the last V5C issue date on the vehicle enquiry service if you’re not sure.
If you do not send in the new keeper slip from the most recent V5C, you’ll have to pay £25.
Contact DVLA if your V5C has not arrived and it’s been 4 weeks since you sent in form V62.
FAQs
If you own a vehicle, you may apply for a 96-hour temporary delivery permit to operate the vehicle without obtaining a Certificate of Title or registration.
Can I drive while waiting for registration sticker in California? ›
Can I drive my car while waiting for registration in California? Yes. Although this is a violation and the police officer may still issue a ticket, this is fixable and the ticket is a "fix-it ticket", and will not show up on your record.
Can I drive my car while waiting for registration sticker in Arizona? ›
An Arizona resident who does not have complete documentation for issuance of a title or registration may apply for a 90-Day Permit. This registration allows you to operate the vehicle while obtaining additional documentation.
How long can you drive a vehicle without registration in Michigan? ›
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person shall not operate, nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated, upon any highway, a vehicle required to be registered under this act unless, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no later than 30 days after the vehicle is registered or the ...
Can you get pulled over for expired tags in Indiana? ›
Yes…it is illegal to drive in every state with an expired license plate - unless you have displayed a valid TEMPORARY plate or Drive Away / Driveout sticker on the rear of the vehicle.
Can I drive a car home after buying it without plates in Indiana? ›
Indiana law says that you have 72 hours after the purchase to get the vehicle registered and licensed. During those 72 hours you can drive the vehicle to your home or other storage location, to an emissions inspection station, or to a DMV location or other service provider to get it registered.
Can I drive my new car while waiting for registration in California? ›
In certain cases, DMV may issue a TOP, which allows a motorist to operate a vehicle when all registration fees have been paid, but license plates and/or registration stickers haven't been issued. Payment of use tax is not usually required to obtain a TOP, if all other fees have been paid.
How long can you drive with expired tags in California? ›
Serious problems could develop from a violation of the expired registration California laws. Sometimes there are valid reasons for not making the registration on time, but if your tags are more than six months past the renewal date, your vehicle can be towed away and impounded.
What happens if I pay my registration late in California? ›
Penalties are determined by adding a percentage of the vehicle license fee, plus a registration late fee, plus a California Highway Patrol (CHP) late fee. – 10% of the vehicle license fee due for that year. – 10% of the weight fee due for that year (if any). – 20% of the vehicle license fee due for that year.
Can I drive my car while waiting for registration sticker Texas? ›
State law gives you a five-day grace period. Renew your registration at Texas.gov and you will receive a receipt that allows you to drive legally for 31 days until your sticker arrives in the mail.
How Long Can I Drive a Car Without Registration in Florida? You can drive your newly bought new or used car for up to 30 days without the metal license plate and vehicle title. However, you must have the proper valid registration after 30 days, or you could face criminal charges.
What should I do if I don't receive my California registration sticker? ›
What should I do if I don't receive my replacement license plates or stickers? If you don't receive your license plates and/or stickers and registration card within eight weeks of submitting an application, call us at 1-800-777-0133, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to verify that they were issued.
Can you sell a car for $1 in Michigan? ›
Can you sell a car for $1? In short, yes. But while selling a car for $1 will allow you to avoid capital gains and gifts taxes, the recipient of the car will have to pay whatever rate of sales tax your state charges on used vehicles when they transfer the title.
How long can a car sit on the street without moving it in Michigan? ›
In Michigan, claiming ownership of an abandoned vehicle is more than just waiting a specific amount of time; it involves a legal process. Firstly, a vehicle is usually considered abandoned if left unattended on public property for over 48 hours.
Can I get a refund on my registration if I sell my car in Michigan? ›
VEHICLE SOLD
When you transfer or assign a title of a registered vehicle before placing the new license plate or tab on it, you may apply for a refund. Return your registration and unused plate or tab within 30 days from the date of transfer or title assignment.
How much is a ticket for expired plates in Indiana? ›
Does the Indiana BMV kiosk print stickers? ›
24-hour self-service kiosks allow customers to renew their registration 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without having to wait in line. By using a self-service kiosk, customers are able to print their new registration sticker immediately.
How long do you have to tag a vehicle in Indiana? ›
New Vehicle Registration
Indiana residents must register all newly acquired, unregistered vehicles within 45 days after the date on which the vehicle was purchased or acquired, and all vehicles owned by the person within 60 days after becoming a new resident.
What can be done at an Indiana BMV kiosk? ›
DMV Kiosk allows you to do the following without waiting in line:
- Complete your registration renewal.
- File for planned nonoperation (PNO) status.
- Pay a vehicle registration suspension reinstatement fee.
- Submit an affidavit of non-use (ANU)
- Remove an ANU.
