We get this call a lot: someone’s arranged their scrap car collection, gone looking for the logbook to have it ready for the driver, and it’s nowhere to be found. It’s one of the most common hold-ups we see, and the good news is it’s rarely a real problem, just one extra step before collection day.
Here’s exactly what the V5C is, what it actually costs to replace it (the official figure, not what some paid “concierge” services charge to do it for you), and how long each route genuinely takes.
What is a V5C, exactly?
A V5C, officially the Vehicle Registration Certificate, is the red document issued by the DVLA that shows who the registered keeper of a car is. People call it the “logbook” out of habit, a leftover from decades ago when vehicles came with an actual log of use, but today it’s a single printed document, not a book at all.
It’s worth being clear on what it isn’t: a V5C proves who the registered keeper is, not who legally owns the car. If you’ve bought a car on finance, for example, the finance company may hold legal ownership while you’re listed as the keeper. That distinction matters if you’re scrapping a car with outstanding finance, which is a separate situation covered in more detail elsewhere on our site.
Why you need it before scrapping your car
Every Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) in the UK is legally required to verify a vehicle’s registered keeper before accepting it for destruction, that’s part of what keeps the whole scrap car process compliant and traceable back to the DVLA. Without a V5C, an ATF can’t complete that check in the normal way, which is exactly why this document holds things up so often.
How to replace a lost V5C: three routes, ranked by speed
Option 1: Apply online (fastest, most people should use this)
This is the right route if you were previously issued a V5C in your name for this exact vehicle, and none of your personal or vehicle details have changed since.
- Go to the DVLA’s official duplicate log book service at gov.uk/vehicle-log-book
- Enter your registration number, make and model
- Confirm your name and address exactly as the DVLA holds them
- Pay the £25 fee by debit or credit card
- You can tax the vehicle in the same online journey if that’s also outstanding
Typical turnaround: around 5 working days.
Option 2: Apply by phone
Works the same way as the online route and is useful if you’d rather speak to someone or can’t complete the online form for any reason.
- Call the DVLA on 0300 790 6802
- Have your registration number and a debit or credit card ready
- Same £25 fee applies
Typical turnaround: around 5 working days, same as online.
Option 3: Apply by post using form V62
This is the only route available in a few specific situations:
- You’ve bought the vehicle but haven’t received a V5C in your name yet, and it’s been at least 4 weeks since you bought it (the DVLA asks you to wait this long before assuming something’s gone wrong)
- Your personal or vehicle details have changed since the last V5C was issued
- You only have the green “new keeper” slip (V5C/2), not a full logbook
- Online or phone applications aren’t available to you for any other reason
You’ll need to download form V62 from gov.uk or pick one up at a Post Office, complete it, and post it with a cheque or postal order for £25 made payable to DVLA.
Typical turnaround: considerably longer, generally 4 to 6 weeks. If nothing’s arrived after 6 weeks, contact the DVLA directly on the number above rather than assuming it’s lost in the post.
What the V62 form actually asks for
If you do need the postal route, it helps to know what you’re filling in before you start rather than getting halfway through and getting stuck. The form asks you to select a reason for applying (lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed, or never received), then complete sections covering:
- The vehicle’s registration number, make, model and VIN or chassis number, all of which you can usually find on an MOT certificate, insurance documents, or the vehicle itself if the V5C genuinely can’t be located
- Your name and address exactly as they should appear on the replacement
- If you’re a new keeper without a full V5C, a separate section using the green new keeper slip details instead
- Section D, where you confirm the £25 fee and payment method, cheque, postal order, or Post Office payment if you’re submitting it in person
Missing or mismatched details here are the single biggest reason postal applications take longer than they need to, since the DVLA will hold the application rather than guess at anything.
A realistic timeline if you’re working toward a collection date
| Day | What’s happening (online route) |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | You apply online and pay the £25 fee |
| Day 1-4 | DVLA processes the application in the background |
| Day 5 (approx) | Replacement V5C arrives by post |
| From here | You’re clear to book scrap car collection with the logbook in hand |
If you’re going the postal V62 route instead, stretch that same plan out to 4-6 weeks rather than 5 days, and avoid booking a firm collection date until the document has actually landed.
What it actually costs, and where the confusion comes from
| Method | Official DVLA fee | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Online | £25 | ~5 working days |
| Phone | £25 | ~5 working days |
| Post (V62) | £25 | 4-6 weeks |
The DVLA charges £25 regardless of which of these three routes you use. If you come across a third-party website quoting a higher price, £40, £50, sometimes more, that’s a paid processing or “concierge” service charging a markup to fill the form in on your behalf, not a different or faster official fee. There’s nothing wrong with using one of those services if you’d rather not deal with the form yourself, just go in knowing the DVLA’s own price is £25 either way.
If your V5C was stolen, not just lost
There’s a meaningful difference between misplacing a logbook and having one stolen, and it’s worth treating the two differently. If it was stolen, whether on its own or as part of a wider theft, report it to the police and get a crime reference number, even though it isn’t a required part of the V62 application itself. A V5C in someone else’s hands can potentially be used to attempt fraudulent vehicle sales or registration changes, so having that reference on file protects you if any disputes come up later. It’s also worth keeping an eye on your vehicle’s status in the meantime; if you’re concerned someone might try to sell or dispose of the car using your stolen documents, our guide on telling the DVLA you’ve sold or scrapped a vehicle explains how DVLA notifications work and what to check if something looks off.
Do you need to separately tell the DVLA it’s lost?
No, there’s no standalone “report a lost V5C” step. Applying for the replacement, online, by phone, or by post, is the notification. You don’t need to contact the DVLA beforehand to flag that it’s missing; the V62 application (or online duplicate service) handles that in one step.
What if you’re not the registered keeper
Bought the car recently and the seller never got round to updating it, or you’ve inherited a vehicle from a relative? You can’t apply for a duplicate V5C in your own name until the DVLA’s records actually show you as the keeper. If you have the green new keeper slip, use it as evidence when you apply. If you don’t have that either, you’ll need the postal V62 route, and the process can take a little longer while the DVLA verifies the change of keeper alongside the replacement.
What if your car also has a private plate?
If the vehicle you’re waiting on a V5C for is also wearing a private or cherished number plate, sort the DVLA retention for that first, before you get too far into replacing the logbook or booking a collection. Our guide on how to keep your number plate before scrapping your car walks through that process, and it’s worth reading alongside this one if both apply to you.
Do you have to wait for the replacement before scrapping?
Not necessarily. If your logbook is genuinely missing and you don’t want to wait several weeks for a replacement to arrive, it’s possible to scrap a car without a V5C, though it involves a slightly different process and extra ID checks at collection. We cover exactly what that involves, and when it’s the more sensible option, in our separate guide on scrapping a car without a V5C logbook. If you already know that’s the route you want, our scrap car without logbook page explains what we accept and what to have ready instead.
Whichever route you choose, once your car’s ready to go, our step-by-step collection process explains what happens on the day, and you can get an instant quote in the meantime while you sort the paperwork out.
Common mistakes that slow this down further
- Applying online when your details have changed. The online service only works cleanly if nothing about you or the vehicle has changed since the last V5C was issued. If you’ve moved house, for example, the postal route is usually required instead.
- Not reporting a stolen V5C to the police. It’s not required for the V62 application itself, but a crime reference number is worth having on file if you ever need to prove the document was stolen rather than simply lost.
- Assuming the old V5C is still valid once a replacement arrives. It isn’t. The moment a duplicate is issued, only the newest one is legally recognised, destroy the old copy rather than keeping both around.
- Waiting less than 4 weeks after buying a used car before applying. The DVLA specifically asks you to allow 4 weeks from the purchase date before assuming a V5C hasn’t been issued.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a lost V5C logbook?
£25, whether you apply online, by phone, or by post. This is the DVLA’s official fee. Some third-party websites charge more to process the application on your behalf, but the government fee itself is the same across all three methods.
How long does it take to get a replacement V5C?
Around 5 working days if you apply online or by phone. If you have to apply by post using form V62, it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Can I scrap my car without a V5C while I’m waiting for a replacement?
Yes, it’s possible, but it involves extra ID checks and a slightly different process at collection. See our guide on scrapping a car without a V5C for the full details.
Do I need my V5C to tax my car?
Yes, in most cases. If you’re missing your V5C and need to tax your vehicle urgently, the DVLA’s online log book service now lets you apply for a replacement and tax the vehicle in the same journey.
What if I find my old V5C after ordering a replacement?
Destroy it. Once a new V5C has been issued, the old one is no longer valid, and only the most recent version DVLA has on file is legally recognised.
Is a V5C the same as proof of ownership?
No. A V5C shows who the registered keeper is, which is usually but not always the same person as the legal owner, for example on a financed vehicle.
Do I need to report a lost V5C to the DVLA separately before applying for a replacement?
No. Applying for the replacement itself, whether online, by phone, or by post, is the notification. There’s no separate step needed beforehand, though a stolen logbook is worth reporting to the police for a crime reference number.
Sorted your paperwork? Here’s what’s next
Once your replacement V5C is on its way, or if you’ve decided to go the no-V5C collection route instead, get in touch and we’ll talk through the timing so your paperwork and your collection date line up properly. Get an instant quote or contact us directly, and if you’re anywhere across Greater Manchester, our locations page has collection details specific to your area.
