How long should a new V5C take after buying a used car?

For used vehicles registered by post, DVLA advises allowing up to around four weeks before chasing the document.

If it has not arrived, contact DVLA before too much time passes. GOV.UK warns that waiting beyond six weeks without notifying DVLA can mean paying for another V5C.

Keep the green new-keeper slip until the new log book arrives because it is useful for taxing and proving the keeper-change details.

For 'How long should a new V5C take after buying a used car?', keep the DVLA confirmation or reference number once the transaction is completed. Tax, SORN and keeper records are separate, so a dated confirmation helps show exactly when your responsibility changed.

Check the current source for 'How long should a new V5C take after buying a used car?' before acting if the relevant rule, policy, fee or eligibility has recently changed. Keep any official confirmation or reference number produced by the process because it can help resolve a later query. This note is specific to answer 435.