How to Tax a Car When You Have No V5C or Green Slip

If you need to tax your vehicle in Great Britain but do not have the V5C registration certificate (logbook) or the green new keeper slip, you must apply for a replacement or new V5C using form V62. This is the official method recognised by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Understanding the V5C and Green Slip

V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate): This document shows who is the registered keeper of a vehicle. It is essential for taxing the vehicle online or by phone.
Green ‘New Keeper’ Slip: Given when you buy a vehicle, this slip allows the new keeper to tax the vehicle before the full V5C is issued.

If you do not have either of these documents, you cannot tax the vehicle online or by phone until you have applied for a new V5C.

Applying for a V5C Using Form V62

Form V62 is used to apply for a vehicle registration certificate if you:

Have lost your V5C
Did not receive a V5C for a newly purchased vehicle
Need to register yourself as the vehicle’s keeper for the first time
Need to make changes to the vehicle details before taxing

The form must be printed and completed by hand, then posted to the DVLA along with a £25 fee (cheque or postal order payable to “DVLA”). It cannot be completed or submitted online.

Send the completed V62 form to:

DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DD

Taxing Your Vehicle While Applying for a V5C

You can tax your vehicle at the same time as applying for a new V5C by submitting the V62 form. Your options include:

At a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax — bring the completed V62 form, payment for the £25 fee, and payment for your vehicle tax. You may also need to show evidence of a current MOT if applicable.
By phone — contact DVLA on 0300 123 4321 with your vehicle details and payment information. You will need your V5C or new keeper slip reference number if you have one.

You cannot tax your vehicle online without a valid 11-digit reference number from your existing V5C or a 12-digit reference number from a green new keeper slip. If you lack these, you must wait until DVLA processes your V62 application and issues your new V5C.

Important Considerations

If you are the new keeper but do not have the green slip, you cannot tax the vehicle until you have applied for a V5C using form V62.
When applying for a V5C for a recently purchased vehicle, include the green new keeper slip from the most recent V5C. If you do not, you will have to pay the £25 fee.
Not all Post Office branches offer the service to tax a vehicle while applying for a V5C. Check with your local branch before travelling.
Allow up to four weeks for the DVLA to send your new V5C after applying by post. If you have not received it after six weeks, contact the DVLA.
If you are in Northern Ireland, you will also need to provide a valid MOT certificate and proof of insurance when taxing your vehicle at the Post Office.

Summary

If you have no V5C or green slip, your first step to tax your vehicle is to apply for a new V5C using form V62 by post, including the £25 fee. You can tax your vehicle at the same time at a Post Office or by phone. Online taxation requires a reference number from a current V5C or green slip, so without these, the Post Office or phone options are your practical routes. Always keep your vehicle documents safe to avoid delays in taxing your vehicle.

Official reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-a-vehicle-registration-certificate. Topic-specific official guidance. Topic-specific official guidance. Always check the latest official guidance. Related forms: Browse our form category.

Important: This article provides general information. Government rules, forms and procedures can change, and this article may not reflect the latest updates. Check current GOV.UK guidance or the relevant authority before relying on it. ITG & Co. is independent and is not affiliated with a government department.