Sorting the paperwork

Keep the yellow section of your registration certificate (V5C), hand over the rest of it to the CarTakeBack operator along with your keys. You'll need to fill in the name and address of the branch, to notify the DVLA, but don't worry, they'll help you with this.

What if I don't have my registration certificate? 

You'll need to notify DVLA when you sell your car with us. You can do this either online or via post. Our Customer Services Team and local branch can help with any paperwork queries you may have.

Find out how to notify DVLA >

A Certificate of Destruction is an official DVLA document, which can only be issued by a recycling centre holding an Authorised Treatment Facility permit.

Your Certificate of Destruction will be issued by the CarTakeBack recycling centre using an electronic link to the DVLA's vehicle registration database. It proves that your scrap car has been recycled.

As soon as you receive the certificate, you should sign within the 'Holder/Owner' section, and keep it for your records.

What does a DVLA Certificate of Destruction look like?

An official DVLA Certificate of Destruction has:

• the DVLA logo at the top;
• 'Certificate of Destruction' written underneath the logo;
• a unique 12 digit certificate number (Certificate No);
• the date that the certificate was issued (Date of Issue); and
• the signature of a representative of the scrap car recycling centre (Issuing Establishment) which accepted your car.

DVLA Certificate of Destruction issued by CarTakeBack.  Click the image to view it full size in a new window.

As soon as you receive the certificate, you should sign within the 'Holder/Owner' section, and keep it for your records.

Once your scrap car has been recycled a copy of your DVLA Certificate of Destruction will be sent to you by email. Or we'll post it to you if you don't have an email address.

Please check that emails from info@CarTakeBack.com haven't gone into your junk or spam folder.

If it doesn't arrive within 24 hours, post the completed section 9 (V5C/3) of your registration certificate to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD.

No, only a recycling centre holding an Authorised Treatment Facility permit can issue a DVLA Certificate of Destruction.

To hold an Authorised Treatment Facility permit and depollute scrap cars to standards set by DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), recycling centres must be licensed by the Environment Agency in England & Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in Northern Ireland.

All CarTakeBack recycling centres have an Authorised Treatment Facility permit. Only these sites are permitted to issue you with a DVLA Certificate of Destruction.

When you donate your car with us, you'll need to notify DVLA using one of the following methods. The branch will be able to help you with this.

If you have the registration certificate (V5C)

You can notify DVLA using the Gov.uk website, where you will need the name and address of the branch (which will be shown on your confirmation email), your car registration, the 11 digit reference number from the latest vehicle registration certificate (V5C), the date you donated your car.

You can fill in the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section of your registration certificate, and send the perforated section to DVLA - DVLA,
Swansea SA99 1BD - If you notify the DVLA via the Gov.uk website, you do not need to send the yellow section off.

If you do not have the registration certificate (V5C)

You should write to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BD, giving your name and address, your car registration, the make and model, the date you donated of your car, the name and address of the branch (which will be shown on your confirmation email).

You’ll be sent a letter and an email confirmation (if you gave your email address using the Gov.uk website) confirming you’re no longer the registered keeper of the car, and a refund cheque for any full months left on your vehicle tax, calculated from the date DVLA gets your information - if you pay by Direct Debit, it’ll be cancelled automatically.

If you don't have your registration certificate, but need to notify DVLA, you should write to DVLA telling them that you no longer own the car. In the letter, you'll need to include the make and model of your car, the name and address of the CarTakeBack branch, the registration and the date of sale.

Download our template letter 

If there’s still some road tax left on your car, DVLA will refund any complete months that remain. The process differs depending on whether your car is to be scrapped or returned to the road via repair or auction.

• If your car is to be scrapped, the Certificate of Destruction that we issue will automatically trigger your refund. You don’t need to notify DVLA yourself. The refund will be back dated to the date you handed over your car.
• If your car is to be returned to the road, we will have instructed you to notify DVLA of the sale using the yellow section 9 of your registration certificate (V5C/3). This will automatically trigger your refund.

A cheque will be posted to the registered keeper shown on the registration certificate (V5C) within 6 weeks, contact DVLA.

Visit the DVLA website for more information on car tax refunds

If you donate your car in England or Wales, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, or in Scotland, the Air Weapon and Licensing Act both mean we have to confirm your identity. All you need is a current photocard driving licence, as this confirms your name, date of birth and residential address.

Don't have a photocard driving license?

If you don't have a photocard driving license, you can show another form of photo ID from list 1 below, along with separate proof of address from list 2 below.

1. Accepted forms of photo ID:

• a valid UK passport

• a valid passport issued by a European Economic Area state, or

• a valid UK biometric immigration document.

2. Accepted proof of address (which must not be older than 3 months):

• a bank or building society statement

• a credit or debit card statement

• a council tax statement or demand letter

• a utility bill (e.g. gas, electricity, water), but not a mobile phone bill.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 means that you need to prove your identity (in order to combat metal theft and fraud) if you live in England or Wales.

View the full Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 on the Gov.uk website

View the Prescribed Documents and Information for Verification of Name and Address on the Gov.uk website

The Air Weapon and Licensing Act (Scotland) 2015 was introduced to combat fraud and metal theft and applies if you live in Scotland. The Act means that when you sell your car for scrap you need to prove your identity and you can no longer be paid in cash.

View the full Air Weapon and Licensing Act (Scotland) 2015 on the Gov.uk website

View the Prescribed Documents and Information for Verification of Name and Address on the Gov.uk website 

If you have a Certificate of Destruction, you don't need any additional confirmation from DVLA.

However, if you've contacted DVLA yourself because we haven't been able to issue a Certificate of Destruction, you should get a DVLA letter confirming that you're no longer responsible for your old car.

If you haven't received this letter within four weeks, you should call DVLA Customer Enquiries on 0300 790 6802

The Certificate of Destruction from CarTakeBack and written confirmation from DVLA (which you should receive if you've notified DVLA yourself) are both proof that DVLA have been notified correctly.

If DVLA records are not updated correctly, you could get an £80 fine, be liable for any traffic offence penalties carried out in the car, as well as for paying tax in arrears, County Court Judgements, a fine of £1,000 and even be liable to prosecution.

Yes, you can keep your personalised registration when you donate your car.

If you have a personalised registration (also known as a private plate or cherished plate) that you wish to keep, you just need to transfer or retain it before you donate your scrap or used car so you don't lose it. 

Download a copy of DVLA's leaflet about keeping personalised registrations

Download a copy of form V317 - 'Application to transfer or retain a vehicle registration number'