Change of Ownership

The law requires that all changes of vehicle ownership are notified and the change recorded on the national computer system. The onus is on the seller to ensure that all paperwork is properly completed and sent to the appropriate office. A registered owner must be recorded against each vehicle and in the event of failure to change ownership, the seller’s name remains on the record which has serious implications for both parties, i.e.

- the seller remains liable for any charges which arise in relation to the vehicle including any penalties which may occur (parking, traffic violations)

- the buyer is unable to tax the vehicle as their name is not on the national computer system and therefore they cannot legally use the vehicle in a public place

Your requirements regarding paperwork following the sale of a vehicle depend upon the type of sale and the age of the vehicle.

Sale to a Motor Dealer

If a vehicle is sold to a motor dealer, the seller should give the dealer the Vehicle Registration Certificate and both the seller and the dealer must complete form RF105. Where a motor dealer is enabled to use the online change of vehicle ownership service the dealer will arrange to have the details notified online. Otherwise the seller must send the RF105 form to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Computer Services Division (DVCSD), Department of Transport, Shannon, Co. Clare. The DVCSD will record the dealer as the registered owner of the vehicle.

In the case of vehicles registered before 1^st January 1993, a completed change of ownership Form RF200 should be brought / sent to the Motor Tax Office, and the updated Log Book can be given to the Motor Dealer.

Private Sale

If a vehicle is sold privately, both the seller and the buyer must complete the back page of the Vehicle Registration Certificate and send it to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Computer Services Division (DVCSD), Department of Transport, Shannon, Co. Clare. The Department will process this transaction and issue a new Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) to the new owner.

In the case of vehicles registered before 1^st January 1993, a completed change of ownership Form RF200 and the updated Log Book should be brought / sent to the Motor Tax Office.

Notes:

When you take ownership of a vehicle which is currently taxed, check the disc to ensure you are eligible to use the current tax class. If the current tax class is for an island vehicle, goods vehicle, hackney, or exempt status, etc., you must also be entitled to this tax class if you continue to use the disc. If you are not, return the tax disc to the Motor Tax Office and tax the vehicle at the correct tax class as you are liable for motor tax from your date of ownership.

If either the seller or buyer fail to carry out their required duty in relation to transferring ownership of a vehicle, there is recourse for the other party to complete the transaction by completing a Sworn Affidavit and forwarding it to the Department of Transport. They should complete the Sworn Affidavit relevant to them, i.e. either for acquiring or disposing of the vehicle.