There are a number of steps that you must take when you buy a car in the UK.  These steps are mandatory by law.  If you do not take all these steps you will be driving your car illegally and could be subject to prosecution.


Register Ownership
You must register the fact that you are the owner of your particular car with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). When you buy your vehicle you must make sure that the previous owner gives you the Registration Document for that vehicle. This is known as a V5 or V5C. It is important that you send the ‘Change of Ownership Details’ part of the document to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Tax Disk / Vehicle Licence
You must buy a Vehicle Licence, which can also be called a Tax Disc, for your car. This is issued as proof that you have paid the tax to the Government which entitles you to use public roads.  The Tax lasts for 6 or 12 months and you must put this on the front windscreen. You buy the Tax Disk at the Post Office or direct from the DVLA.  In order to buy this, you will need to show an MOT Certificate, your Insurance Certificate and Vehicle Ownership document.

Insurance
All drivers in the UK must be insured in case of any accident. The insurance company will charge a premium depending on the type and age of the vehicle, your age and driving experience. If you have an accident, damage someone’s property or injure someone whilst driving, the insurance company will determine who is to blame. That person will be expected to pay for repairing the damage and for compensation. The insurance will cover these costs.




MOT
An MOT Certificate to prove the car is safe to be on the road is necessary by law for cars over 3 years of age.

Cars must be inspected and tested once a year by a garage authorised to do so.  There will be a charge for checking the vehicle and issuing the certificate.  If the car passes the test you will be given an MOT Certificate, which states that the car is safe to go on the road.  The certificate will last for 12 months. 


Driving Licence
You must have a full UK driving license or a license from your home country.  (See Driving in the UK, this Section).


Car Bought in Poland
If your car was bought in Poland (or another EU country) you can use it for six months in the UK.  After six months it must be registered with the DVLA. 

You will need to send:

Car Logbook / Registration Document

UK insurance certificate

MOT certificate (if the car is more than 3 years old)
 
Completed VAT form 414  (the DVLA Office can supply this)

Information & Application Forms
For further details and various application forms, there is a leaflet you can get from your local Post Office, or you can go to the website www.dvla.gov.uk , www.vehiclelicence.gov.uk ,  or telephone 0870 240 0009 (English only). If you would like some assistance in obtaining and filling in forms, you can go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau (See Citizens Advice Bureau, this Section).