How to Notify DVLA of a Death in the UK: Complete Guide for 2025

Who Needs to Notify DVLA of a Death?

The responsibility for notifying DVLA typically falls to the executor of the estate (the person named in the will to administer the estate) or the next of kin if there's no will. In practice, any close family member who has access to the deceased's driving licence and vehicle documents can handle DVLA notifications.

If you're dealing with other aspects of the estate, you'll likely also be responsible for DVLA notifications. For a complete overview of all notifications required after a death, see our UK Death Notification Process guide.

When Multiple People Are Involved

If there are multiple executors or family members, only one person needs to notify DVLA about the driving licence and each vehicle. However, coordinate to ensure someone takes responsibility and that DVLA isn't notified multiple times (which can cause confusion).

Step 1: Return the Deceased's Driving Licence

The first and most urgent DVLA task is to return the deceased's driving licence. This should be done as soon as possible after the death to prevent any misuse of the licence.

How to Return the Driving Licence

Photocard Licence (Issued Since 1998):

• Write a brief covering letter explaining that the licence holder has died and include the date of death
• Include the photocard licence and the paper counterpart if there is one (paper counterparts were valid until 2015)
• Post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB
• No fee required - this is a free service

Old Paper Licence (Before 1998):

• Follow the same process - write a covering letter with date of death
• Send the paper licence to the same address
• DVLA will update their records to show the licence holder is deceased

Why Return the Licence Promptly?

• Prevent identity fraud: Driving licences are valuable identity documents and should be secured
• Update DVLA records: Ensures DVLA systems are updated and no renewal reminders are sent
• Legal requirement: You're legally required to return the licence when someone dies

Step 2: Decide What to Do with the Vehicle(s)

If the deceased owned one or more vehicles, you have three main options. The right choice depends on the vehicle's value, the will's instructions, and the beneficiaries' wishes.

Option 1: Declare SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)

SORN means declaring the vehicle is off the road and not being used. This is often the best immediate option while you decide what to do with the vehicle.

When to use SORN:

• You need time to decide whether to sell or keep the vehicle (can keep on SORN indefinitely)
• The vehicle is being stored and not driven while probate is sorted
• The vehicle needs repairs before it can be sold or transferred
• You want to avoid paying vehicle tax during the estate administration

How to declare SORN:

• Online (fastest): Go to gov.uk/make-a-sorn and complete the form using the vehicle's registration number and the V5C reference number (11-digit number on the V5C logbook)
• By phone: Call DVLA on 0300 123 4321 (Monday to Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 8am-2pm)
• By post: Complete the V890 form (available at gov.uk) and post to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR
• Cost: Free

Important SORN requirements:

• Vehicle must be kept off public roads and in a private space (driveway, garage, private land)
• SORN lasts indefinitely until you tax the vehicle, sell it, or scrap it
• You can cancel any remaining vehicle tax and get an automatic refund for full months remaining when you declare SORN
• Vehicle still requires valid MOT if you plan to drive it later (but doesn't need MOT while on SORN)

Option 2: Sell the Vehicle

If the will specifies selling the vehicle, or beneficiaries want to sell it and split the proceeds, you can sell the vehicle as part of administering the estate.

Before you can sell:

• You'll need the vehicle's V5C logbook (vehicle registration certificate) in the deceased's name
• You may need to apply for probate first if the vehicle is valuable (typically over £5,000) - check with the buyer or auction house
• Ensure the vehicle has valid MOT if it's over 3 years old (required for sale)
• Get the vehicle valued - use free online valuations from We Buy Any Car, Auto Trader, or Glass's Guide

Selling process:

• Private sale: Advertise on Auto Trader, eBay Motors, or Facebook Marketplace. When you sell, complete the V5C logbook by filling in the "new keeper" section with buyer's details and send it to DVLA. Give the buyer the green "new keeper" slip (V5C/2)
• Dealer or car buying service: Easier - they'll handle the paperwork. Get quotes from multiple dealers and car buying services like We Buy Any Car or Motorway
• Auction: Suitable for classic or valuable vehicles. British Car Auctions (BCA) and Brightwells handle estate vehicle sales

Transferring ownership to the buyer:

• Complete the V5C section 6 ("new keeper") with the buyer's details
• Sign section 8 as the seller (you can sign as executor)
• Give the V5C/2 (green slip) to the buyer immediately
• Send the rest of the V5C logbook to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA
• The buyer will receive a new V5C in their name within 2-4 weeks

Option 3: Transfer the Vehicle to a Beneficiary

If the will specifies that a particular person should inherit the vehicle (a specific bequest), or beneficiaries agree one person should have it, you can transfer ownership.

Transfer process:

• Complete the V5C logbook exactly as if selling - fill in section 6 with the beneficiary's details as the "new keeper"
• Give the beneficiary the V5C/2 green slip
• Send the rest of the V5C to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA
• The beneficiary will need to tax the vehicle immediately before driving it (they can do this using the V5C/2 reference number before receiving the full V5C)
• The beneficiary will also need to arrange their own insurance from the transfer date

Transfer considerations:

• If the vehicle has significant value, it forms part of the estate and may affect inheritance tax calculations
• Get the beneficiary's written agreement to accept the vehicle (some may prefer the cash value instead, especially if the vehicle is old or requires repairs)
• Consider who pays for any repairs, MOT, or maintenance needed before transfer - typically paid from the estate

Step 3: Cancel or Transfer Vehicle Insurance

The deceased's car insurance policy automatically becomes invalid when they die, as insurance policies cover a named driver. You need to contact the insurance company promptly.

Cancelling the Insurance Policy

If you're not keeping or driving the vehicle:

• Call the insurance company's bereavement or cancellation line (number on policy documents or website)
• Provide the policy number, deceased's name, date of death, and your relationship to them
• Most insurers will cancel immediately and provide a pro-rata refund for unused premium to the estate
• Refunds typically paid within 2-4 weeks by cheque or bank transfer to the estate

Common cancellation terms:

• Most insurers waive cancellation fees in the event of death (standard cancellations often incur £50+ admin fees)
• You may need to send a copy of the death certificate (some insurers accept this by email, others require postal copy)
• If monthly premiums were being paid by direct debit, ask the insurer to stop these immediately

Continuing Cover Temporarily

If you need to drive the vehicle temporarily (for example, to move it to secure storage or to get it valued), you have two options:

• Short-term extension of existing policy: Some insurers will extend the policy to cover you as an executor or family member for a short period (typically 7-14 days) while you sort out the vehicle. Ask the insurer - they may add you as a named driver for free or a small fee
• Temporary insurance: Take out short-term insurance (1-28 days) in your name covering the vehicle. Companies like Dayinsure, Cuvva, and Tempcover offer temporary policies from £20-30 per day

Transferring Insurance to New Owner

Car insurance policies are not transferable. If you're transferring the vehicle to a beneficiary or selling it:

• Cancel the deceased's policy as described above
• The new owner must arrange their own insurance policy before driving the vehicle
• The new owner should shop around for quotes - they cannot take over the deceased's policy or premium

Step 4: Handle Vehicle Tax (Road Tax)

Vehicle tax (also called car tax or road tax) is another important consideration when dealing with a deceased person's vehicle.

What Happens to Vehicle Tax When Someone Dies

Vehicle tax does not automatically stop when someone dies. The vehicle continues to be taxed until you take action to cancel it.

To cancel vehicle tax and get a refund:

• When you declare SORN: Vehicle tax is automatically cancelled and a refund issued for any full remaining months. You don't need to do anything extra - DVLA sends the refund to the deceased's address within 6 weeks
• When you sell the vehicle: Inform DVLA using the V5C logbook. Vehicle tax is cancelled from the date of sale and remaining months refunded
• If you need to cancel tax but keep the vehicle: Declare SORN (the only way to cancel tax is through SORN or sale)

If the Vehicle Tax Has Expired

If the vehicle tax ran out before or shortly after the death, and you're not planning to drive the vehicle:

• Declare SORN immediately to avoid DVLA enforcement action and fines
• If you don't declare SORN, DVLA may send penalty notices to the deceased's address (starting at £80, increasing if unpaid)
• You can explain the vehicle owner has died and provide the death certificate to cancel any penalties issued

If You Need to Keep the Vehicle Taxed

If the vehicle needs to remain on the road temporarily (for example, you're driving it to auction or to a beneficiary):

• You can tax the vehicle in the deceased's name using the V5C logbook reference number at gov.uk/vehicle-tax
• The vehicle must have valid MOT and insurance in place before you can tax it
• Tax can be paid by card online - you'll need the V5C reference number and the vehicle registration number
• Pay from the estate bank account if possible, or keep receipt to claim back from the estate

Step 5: Deal with Personalised Number Plates

If the deceased's vehicle has a personalised or cherished number plate, this can have significant value and requires special handling.

What Happens to Personalised Number Plates

Personalised registration numbers are valuable assets that form part of the estate. Some plates can be worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds depending on the combination.

Options for personalised plates:

• Transfer to a beneficiary: The plate can be transferred to a beneficiary's vehicle as a specific bequest or as part of their inheritance
• Retain on certificate: Remove the plate from the vehicle and put it "on retention" - this stores it on a V778 certificate that can be sold or transferred later
• Sell the plate: Sell the registration number separately from the vehicle through DVLA's online marketplace or a private plate dealer

How to Transfer or Retain a Personalised Plate

To transfer the plate to another vehicle:

• Apply online at gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers using the V750 or V317 form
• Fee: £80 to transfer to another vehicle you own
• Both vehicles must be taxed or have SORN, and have valid MOT if required
• The original vehicle will be issued a new age-related registration number

To put the plate on retention (V778 certificate):

• Apply online at gov.uk/take-registration-number-off-vehicle
• Fee: £80 to put the plate on retention
• The registration is held on a V778 certificate valid for 10 years
• The certificate can be transferred or sold, or used to assign the plate to a vehicle later

Valuing personalised plates:

• Check DVLA's marketplace at gov.uk/dvla-auctions for similar plates
• Use private plate valuation sites like Regtransfers, Platehunter, or Click4Reg for free valuations
• Short plates (2-3 characters), initials, names, and words typically have highest values
• Include the plate value in the estate valuation for probate and inheritance tax purposes

Step 6: Handle MOT and Roadworthiness

If the vehicle's MOT has expired or is about to expire, your actions depend on what you plan to do with the vehicle.

If You're Declaring SORN

• No need for MOT while the vehicle is off the road on SORN
• The vehicle must have MOT before you can tax it again or sell it in the future

If You're Selling the Vehicle

• Private sale: Legally you can sell a car without MOT, but most buyers expect MOT and you'll get a much better price with valid MOT. Consider getting MOT done before selling (£54.85 maximum fee)
• Dealer or car buying service: They usually accept vehicles without MOT but will reduce their offer to account for it
• You can drive the vehicle to a pre-booked MOT appointment even if the MOT has expired

If You're Transferring to a Beneficiary

• Get the MOT done before transfer so the beneficiary receives a roadworthy vehicle
• Pay for the MOT from the estate (keep receipt for estate accounts)
• If significant repairs are needed to pass MOT, discuss with the beneficiary - they may prefer to take the vehicle as-is and handle repairs themselves

Step 7: What If You Can't Find the V5C Logbook?

If you cannot locate the vehicle's V5C registration certificate (logbook), you'll need to request a replacement before you can sell or transfer the vehicle.

Applying for a Replacement V5C

Online application (fastest):

• Go to gov.uk/vehicle-log-book and select "Get a log book (V5C)"
• You'll need the vehicle registration number
• Fee: £25 (paid by card)
• The V5C will be sent to the vehicle's registered keeper address (the deceased's address) within 5 working days

Postal application:

• Complete form V62 "Application for a vehicle registration certificate" available at gov.uk
• Fee: £25 (cheque or postal order payable to DVLA)
• Post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DD
• Processing time: 6 weeks

Timeline: When to Complete Each DVLA Task

While there are no strict legal deadlines for most DVLA notifications, acting promptly avoids problems like untaxed vehicle penalties, insurance issues, or difficulties selling the vehicle.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: Vehicle is on Finance or Lease

If the deceased had an outstanding car loan, HP (hire purchase), or PCP (personal contract purchase) agreement:

• The vehicle does not belong to the estate - it's owned by the finance company until the loan is fully paid
• Contact the finance company immediately to inform them of the death
• Check if the deceased had payment protection insurance (PPI) on the finance - this may pay off the remaining balance
• Options: Continue payments from the estate and keep the vehicle, pay off the balance and own it outright, or return the vehicle to the finance company (you may still owe any shortfall)

Leased vehicles:

• With lease agreements, the vehicle must be returned to the leasing company
• Contact the leasing company - they'll arrange collection
• Check the contract for early termination charges - these may be waived due to death

Problem 2: Multiple Vehicles in the Estate

If the deceased owned multiple vehicles, you'll need to handle each one separately:

• Declare SORN for all vehicles immediately if they're not being driven
• Cancel or adjust the insurance on each vehicle
• Create a plan for each vehicle - some might be sold, others transferred to beneficiaries
• Get valuations for all vehicles for probate purposes
• Consider the practical aspects - do you have storage for multiple vehicles while you sort out the estate?

Problem 3: Vehicle is Jointly Owned

If the vehicle was owned jointly (uncommon with vehicles, but possible):

• Check the V5C logbook - it shows registered keepers, not owners
• If the vehicle was genuinely jointly owned (you'll need evidence like joint purchase agreement or both names on finance), ownership may pass automatically to the surviving owner
• The registered keeper listed on V5C is responsible for tax, insurance, and DVLA notifications
• If there's any doubt, seek legal advice as vehicles are typically treated as individual assets

Problem 4: Can't Access the Vehicle

If you cannot access the vehicle because you don't have keys, or it's in a locked garage:

• Finding keys: Search the deceased's home, check with family members, look in coats/bags, check key hooks
• Lost keys: Contact the vehicle manufacturer's dealer - they can cut new keys using the VIN (vehicle identification number) and proof you're the executor. Cost: £100-300 depending on vehicle
• Locked garage: As executor, you have legal authority to access the deceased's property. You may need to hire a locksmith (£50-150) if you cannot find keys
• Keep all receipts for keys and locksmith costs - these are estate administration expenses

DVLA Bereavement Contact Information

If you have questions or issues with DVLA notifications after a death:

• DVLA general enquiries: 0300 790 6802 (Monday to Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 8am-2pm)
• Vehicle tax queries: 0300 123 4321 (same hours)
• Postal address: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB (for driving licence returns)
• SORN enquiries: 0300 123 4321 or gov.uk/make-a-sorn
• V5C logbook issues: 0300 790 6802 or gov.uk/vehicle-log-book

Tips for contacting DVLA:

• Call early morning (8am-9am) for shortest wait times - afternoons and Saturdays are very busy
• Have ready: Vehicle registration number, V5C reference number (if you have it), deceased's full name and address, date of death
• DVLA cannot give advice on what to do with the vehicle - they can only process the administrative actions you choose

DVLA Costs Summary

Here's a summary of all potential costs when notifying DVLA and handling a deceased person's vehicle:

Related Guides

After dealing with DVLA notifications, you may find these related guides helpful:

• Complete UK Death Notification Process - Full list of all organisations to notify after a death
• How to Notify Banks After Death - Handling the deceased's bank accounts and finances
• Probate Guide UK 2025 - Complete guide to applying for probate as an executor
• First Steps After Death UK - What to do immediately after someone dies
• Estate Administration Checklist - Complete executor's checklist for administering the estate