If you are planning on taking your vehicle out of the UK on a permanent basis, you will need to inform the DVLA of your intention to do so.  If you are taking it away on a temporary basis, you will need to take the proper documents with you.  The DVLA defines permanent as 12 months or more, and temporary as less than 12 months.

When taking the vehicle out of the UK for 12 months or longer, the DVLA will classify the vehicle as being permanently exported.  Fill out the “purple” section of DVLA Form V5C/4 of the V5C vehicle registration certificate, then post it to the DVLA at Swansea SA99 1BD.  Make sure that you keep the rest of your car registration certificate as this will most likely be needed in order to register it abroad.  The vehicle will be subject to any legal requirements of the country which the vehicle is exported to.

Should you not have a DVLA registrations certificate you will need to obtain a V561 “certificate of permanent export.”  You can download this form and then complete the “Application for certificate or permanent export” (V756).  Once you have completed the proper documentation, post it to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AG.

Additionally, should you be moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you will only need to fill out the “change of address” section and then post it to a local area DVA office, or a V5CNI if you are moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and post it to a local area DVLA office since the vehicle will still be operated in the UK.