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Telling DVLA a Driver Has Died

You can prevent further unwarranted correspondence by informing DVLA after someone dies. Check what details you need to tell DVLA when a driver dies and how to deal with road tax if you keep or sell the vehicle.

Notifying the DVLA about a Bereavement

An easy way to notify DVLA when someone dies is using the Tell Us Once service. But, even if it is available in your area, you still have to inform the DVLA as a separate case when you:

Tell Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency by Post

The ‘Tell Us Once’ service may not be available in your particular area. In this case, you should write a letter to the DVLA instead.

The letter should inform them that a driver has died and include their driving licence (if you have it). The letter must also provide information on:

  • Your relationship with the deceased person.
  • The deceased person’s full name, address, date of birth, and the date that they died.

There is no need to send a death certificate. Post the letter to the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AB

Northern Ireland

Note: You should tell the DVA and the DVLA after suffering the bereavement of a driver in Northern Ireland.

If You Keep the Vehicle

If you are keeping the vehicle you should tell the DVLA about the death of the keeper. Let them know you will be the new registered keeper and then tax it in your own name (without delay).

UK vehicle tax rules do not allow the transfer of road fund tax from another person. So, you must tax the vehicle in your name. This applies whether you take over the ownership as a family member or you look after the vehicle for a short time.

Note: Using a vehicle on a public road before taxing it in your own name and getting vehicle insurance can result in a prosecution.

If You Have the V5C (vehicle log book)
  1. The first step is filling in section six (6) of the V5C.
  2. Then tear off (and keep) the green ‘new keeper’s details’ slip (V5C/2).
  3. Write a letter to DVLA that explains your relationship to the person who died. Also tell them the date that they died and who would get any vehicle tax refund.
  4. Send the V5C long with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team. You can make a statutory off road notification (form V890) to register the vehicle as SORN instead of taxing it.
  5. DVLA will then cancel any existing vehicle tax and direct debits. They will send a cheque for any refund and a new V5C within four (4) weeks.
  6. You should not wait for the new V5C to use it on a public road. Instead, you can tax a vehicle in your own name using the V5C/2.
If You Do Not Have the V5C (vehicle log book)
  1. The first step is to apply for a vehicle registration certificate form V62 (application for a V5C). There is a fee.
  2. Write a letter to DVLA that explains your relationship to the person who died. Also tell them the date that they died and who would get any vehicle tax refund.
  3. Send the V62 and the fee along with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team. Include form V890 to register the vehicle as off the road.
  4. DVLA will then cancel any existing vehicle tax and direct debits. They will send a cheque for any refund and a new V5C within four (4) weeks.
  5. You can then use the new V5C to tax the vehicle.

Sensitive Casework Team
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ

Note: You can contact DVLA using various methods such as by telephone, email address, or by postal address.

If You Sell the Vehicle

If You Have the V5C (vehicle log book)

Write a letter to DVLA that explains your relationship to the person who died. Also notify them the date that they died and who would get any vehicle tax refund.

Send your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team with the correct section of the V5C filled in. It will depend on whether you intend to sell the vehicle to a private individual or to a motor trader.

Selling the Vehicle to a Private Individual
  1. Fill in section six (6) of the V5C.
  2. Give the green ‘new keeper’s details’ slip (V5C/2) to the buyer.
  3. Send the V5C with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team.
Selling the Vehicle to a Motor Trader
  1. Fill in section nine (9) of the V5C.
  2. Make sure the motor trader signs and dates section nine (9).
  3. Tear off section 9 and send it with your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team.
  4. Give the motor trader the rest of the V5C.
If You Do Not Have the V5C (vehicle log book)

The new buyer would need to fill in form V62 to apply for a V5C if you sell the car. There is a fee. Write a letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework Team informing them that you sold the vehicle. Make sure that your letter states:

  • The date you sold the vehicle and the name and address of the buyer.
  • Your relationship to the driver who died and the date that they died.
  • Who should receive any vehicle tax refund (if there is any).

Telling DVLA after Someone Dies in the United kingdom