New V5C to prevent vehicle crime

• News
• Published: 22 Jul 2010 in Motoring and Car Insurance

The V5C document has been re-designed in a bid to beat vehicle crime and protect the buyer and their car insurance premiums. 

From August 15, the new vehicle registration certificates will be issued for all newly registered vehicles. 

They will also be issued when changes are made to existing registration details. 

The new document will "help buyers to protect themselves", junior transport minister Mike Penning said. 

In a written statement to MPs, Penning said: "I am introducing the new certificate as a matter of urgency to help protect motorists from vehicle crime following the theft of a number of blank certificates in 2006. 

"Vehicles have been stolen, cloned and sold to consumers using some of the stolen V5Cs. 

"Buyers often mistakenly believe the V5C to be proof of ownership of a vehicle. This is not the case. 

"The new V5C, which is a different colour, will make it clear the document is not proof of ownership and will help draw to an end the threat posed by the stolen documents." 

The re-designed V5C will be issued to all remaining vehicles from July 2011, when they are next re-licensed or declared to be off the road.