Website of the UK government

Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.

Public services all in one place

Main menu

Motoring

Taking a vehicle out of the UK permanently or temporarily

You’ll need to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when you are taking your vehicle out of the country on a permanent basis. If you are taking your vehicle or a hired vehicle on a temporary basis, you must take the appropriate documentation with you.

Taking your vehicle abroad for more than 12 months (permanent export)

When a UK registered vehicle is taken out of the country for 12 months or more, it is regarded as being permanently exported from the UK.

You can tell DVLA if you are taking your vehicle out of the UK permanently by filling in the purple section ‘Notification of Permanent Export’ (V5C/4) of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C), this should be sent to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BD. The rest of the V5C should then be kept, as you may need this to re-register the vehicle abroad, as once exported, your vehicle will become subject to the legal requirements of the new country.

If you don’t have a registration certificate you’ll need to get a certificate of permanent export (V561). Download and complete the ‘Application for certificate or permanent export’ - form V756 and send to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AG.

Moving between GB and Northern Ireland (NI) with your vehicle

You only need to fill in the change of address section on your V5C (moving from GB to NI) and send to a DVA Local Office, or your V5CNI (moving from NI to GB) and send to a DVLA Local Office as your vehicle is staying in the United Kingdom.

The form V561 is no longer applicable when vehicles are moving between GB and NI.

Taking your vehicle abroad for less than 12 months (temporary export)

If a UK registered vehicle is taken abroad temporarily, it remains subject to UK law. This means that you, (the keeper) must by law, make sure that the vehicle remains taxed whilst it is being used overseas. Providing the vehicle has a current MoT certificate and insurance in force, you will be able to tax the vehicle.

If you do not tax the vehicle and it is brought back to the UK untaxed, the vehicle should be transported (not driven) upon entry back to the UK and Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) should be declared immediately.

You can tax or declare SORN by using DVLA’s electronic vehicle licensing routes, via the internet or telephone, but please note that SORN cannot be declared whilst the vehicle is not in the UK. Keepers who take their vehicles abroad temporarily should ensure the vehicle remains taxed during the time they are abroad.

If you do not have a V5C and you are taking the vehicle out the country on temporary basis you can get a replacement from DVLA by phoning DVLA or applying for one via the post.

The registration certificate may take up to four weeks to arrive. If you need to travel during this time you will need to apply for a temporary registration certificate (V379), available from a DVLA local office. You'll need to provide proof of ID and there is a fee for this service.

You should make sure that you meet any international and national conditions for licensing and taxation.

Taking a hired vehicle abroad temporarily

The registration certificate for a leased, hired or rented vehicle will normally be held securely by the company that supplied the vehicle. When travelling abroad it’s important that you’re able to show you’re allowed to use the vehicle. The Vehicle on Hire certificate (VE 103) is available as evidence of this. The certificate, which is subject to a small administrative fee, may be obtained from the following organisations:

  • AA - Automobile Association
  • RAC - Royal Automobile Association
  • Green Flag
  • RHA - Road Haulage Association
  • BVRLA - British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
  • FTA - Fleet Transport Association

More useful links

In this section...

Access keys