Taking a Vehicle Out of the UK

The rules for passports, driving, EHIC cards, pet travel and more may change from 1 January 2021 

For 12 Months or More 

You must tell DVLA if you are 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 will need to:  

  1. Fill in the ‘permanent export’ section of your vehicle log book (V5C). 

  2. Send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD. Include a letter if you have moved abroad and want your vehicle tax refund (if you are entitled to one) sent to your new address. 

  3. Keep the rest of your log book (V5C) - you need it to register your vehicle in the country you are taking it to. 

  4. Update the address on your driving licence if you are moving home (external link). 

You will usually get any refund on your vehicle tax in 4 to 6 weeks. The refund is worked out from the date DVLA gets your ‘permanent export’ section. 

If you are buying a vehicle to take abroad make sure the seller follows the correct process (external link) 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 (external link) (V5C) before you leave the UK. It can take up to:  

  • 5 days if you apply by phone  

  • 6 weeks if you apply by post 

DVLA cannot send a vehicle log book (V5C) to an address outside the UK. When you get your log book, fill in and send the ‘permanent export’ section to DVLA. 

If you have already left the UK 

Contact the driving authority of the country you are taking the vehicle to. They will tell you what documents you will need to provide to register the vehicle there. 

You also need to send a letter to DVLA to tell them you have 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 are entitled to one) 

If you Cannot Get a Vehicle Log Book (V5C) 

Contact the driving authority of the country you are taking the vehicle to - they will tell you how to register your vehicle. 

Send a letter to DVLA to tell them you have 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 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 have taken the vehicle out of the country. Include: 

  • your name and address 

  • the date you took the vehicle out of the country 

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. 

Personalised Registrations 

You will need to transfer or retain your personalised registration (external link) before exporting your vehicle. Otherwise you will lose your right to the registration number. 

See Also: