A new and distinctively different type of V5C Registration Certificate is to be issued by the DVLA from 15 August 2010 onwards - eventually all existing V5Cs will be replaced. The current blue document will be superseded by one having a distinctive red band across the entire top-half of the front page.
From August 15, the new documents will be issued for all newly-registered vehicles, and also when there are changes to an existing registration necessitating return of the V5C, such as a change of keeper or keeper`s address.
Then from about this time next year, new-style V5Cs will be issued when a vehicle is re-licensed or a SORN declaration is renewed. Assuming all goes as it should, everyone with an on-road or SORN declared vehicle will have the new document within about the next two years.
`Pre-SORN` DVLA-registered vehicles (i.e. ones that have a Swansea V5 of some kind, but which have been off the road since before 1998) are not immeadiately affected, and while any V5C issued will eventually cease to be valid - it will still constitute proof of DVLA registration, meaning that there is no risk of DVLA cancelling the original number.
However, a new-style V5C will only be issued after the vehicle has been returned to the road.
Existing V5Cs will remain valid until they are replaced, and where the new V5C is issued following re-licensing or SORN application/renewal, the old document does not have to be returned to DVLA.
Basically, the reason for the implimentation of this new V5C is due to the fact that four years ago a large quantity of blank V5Cs were stolen from government printers - and they are still showing up to disguise cloned and stolen vehicles. There are currently over 18 million V5Cs to be replaced with those of the new red design.
BOB POUNTNEY
SECRETARY & PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
THE 6/80 & MO CLUB
5 August 2010
Click here to send me an e-mail message.