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Sold Your Car? Tell DVLA and Get Your Tax Refund
When you sell a vehicle privately, give the buyer the green new keeper slip from the log book and tell DVLA online that you have sold it. Your vehicle tax Direct Debit is cancelled automatically, and DVLA sends a refund for any full months left, worked out from the date it gets your information.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
After You Sell
What to Do
Give the buyer the green new keeper slip from the log book, then tell DVLA you have sold the vehicle using the online service. source
Tax Refund
DVLA sends a refund for full months of tax left, worked out from the date it receives your information. If you pay by Direct Debit, it is cancelled automatically. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayTell DVLASo the refund starts sooner
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Fill in the new keeper details with the buyer.
Step 2 of 5
Give the buyer the green slip.
Step 3 of 5
Tell DVLA online the same day.
Step 4 of 5
Keep the confirmation.
Step 5 of 5
Cancel your insurance.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
DVLA
Use the GOV.UK online services first; they are free and usually quickest.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Telling DVLA quickly protects you from fines for things the new keeper does.
Northern Ireland licences and vehicles are dealt with by the DVA, which has its own rules and services.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle/y/no/sold-it/sold-it-privately-to-a-person-or-business Checked 16 October 2026