Losing all your important car paperwork can induce nothing short of panic, but don’t panic. If you’ve rummaged down the back of the sofa, shaken out every book on the shelf, and still can’t find what you need, here’s what you can do.
Lost driving licence
If you’ve lost your driving licence, the good news is you can go online to GOV.UK and order a new one. You can also apply by phone or post. Not so great news, however, is that you’ll need pay £17 for the privilege of getting a replacement. You can find out more about driving licence fees here.
If your old licence turns up after you’ve applied for a new one, you should return it to the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA).
Lost log book (V5C)
If you’ve lost your log book, as long as you’re the registered keeper of the car, then you can apply to the DVLA for a replacement V5C, by phone, email, or post. There is a £25 fee for a lost V5C (unless you never received one, in which case it’s free). You can see more about vehicle log fees here.
You can only get a replacement log book by phone if none of your personal details have changed. It can also take up to six weeks for a new one to arrive so bear this in mind if you’re thinking of selling your car.
It’s really important to remember to update details on your V5C – so if you move house, or change your name, add it to your ‘to do’ list. If you forget, you could be fined up to £1,000.
Lost MOT certificate
Replacements for lost MOT certificates are available from any MOT centre, so you don’t need to worry about remembering which one did the last test. You’ll need to know the number plate of the car and the V5C (log book) reference number. It’ll set you back around £10, or half of the cost of an MOT – whichever one is lower.
Lost insurance certificate
If you’ve lost your insurance certificate, you’ll need to contact your insurance provider to get a replacement. Alternatively, if you manage your insurance account online, you might simply be able to download a new one, depending on your insurer. If you do need to contact your insurer, the cost of a replacement is at their discretion – and prices can vary considerably.
Getting to grips with car insurance
Sometimes, organising car insurance can be overwhelming as there can be so many options available – not to mention all the different terminology. So, whether you’re struggling to understand all those confusing insurance terms; or contemplating which policy you should choose, we can help.
If you’d like to learn more about insuring your car, bike, or van, get in touch with mustard.co.uk today or get a online car insurance quote in minutes. Compare insurance quotes today with over 60 leading UK insurance providers, or if you prefer to speak to someone directly just give us a call on 0330 022 8814 and one of the team will be happy to help.
