Taking a vehicle out of the UK
For 12 months or more
You must tell DVLA if you’re taking your vehicle out of the UK, including to the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), Isle of Man or Ireland, for 12 months or more.
This is known as permanent export. You’ll need to:
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Fill in the ‘permanent export’ section of your vehicle log book (V5C).
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Send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD. Include a letter if you’ve moved abroad and want your vehicle tax refund (if you’re entitled to one) sent to your new address.
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Keep the rest of your log book (V5C) - you need it to register your vehicle in the country you’re taking it to.
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Update the address on your driving licence if you’re moving home.
If you’re due a refund, it will take longer than usual because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The refund is worked out from the date DVLA gets your ‘permanent export’ section.
If you’re buying a vehicle to take abroad make sure the seller follows the correct process for vehicles that will be registered in another country. They must give you the full log book (V5C) - not just the new keeper slip.
If you do not have a vehicle log book (V5C)
Before you leave the UK
You need to get a vehicle log book (V5C) before you leave the UK. DVLA cannot send a vehicle log book to an address outside the UK.
When you get your log book, fill in and send the ‘permanent export’ section to DVLA.
It will take longer than usual to get your V5C log book because of coronavirus. If you do not receive it before you leave the UK, contact the driving authority of the country you’re travelling to to find out what documents you need.
If you’ve already left the UK
Contact the driving authority of the country you’re taking the vehicle to. They’ll tell you what documents you’ll need to provide to register the vehicle there.
You also need to send a letter to DVLA to tell them you’ve taken the vehicle out of the country. Include:
- your name and address
- the date you took the vehicle out of the country
- where DVLA can send the vehicle tax refund (if you’re entitled to one)
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BA
If you cannot get a vehicle log book (V5C)
Contact the driving authority of the country you’re taking the vehicle to - they’ll tell you how to register your vehicle.
Send a letter to DVLA to tell them you’ve taken the vehicle out of the country. Include:
- your name and address
- the date you took the vehicle out of the country
- where DVLA can send the vehicle tax refund
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BA
If the ‘permanent export’ section is missing
If the ‘permanent export’ section is not in the log book, send a letter to DVLA to tell them you’ve taken the vehicle out of the country. Include:
- your name and address
- the date you took the vehicle out of the country
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BA
Moving your vehicle between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Fill in the change of address section in your log book and send it to DVLA.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BA
Personalised registrations
You’ll need to transfer or retain your personalised registration before exporting your vehicle. Otherwise you’ll lose your right to the registration number.