Does one really need V5C to take a vehicle out of the UK for a week or so?

[overthinker]

For family reasons I need to visit my home country by car as soon as possible. For that I'm planning to buy a used car. According to this, I'd need to have V5C to take a vehicle out of the UK.

The problem is that

DVLA will update the vehicle record immediately and they will aim to send out a new V5C to you within 3 to 5 days. (source)

And I don't have a week to wait for my V5C.

Do I really need V5C to go to the EU? What if I just have whatever the seller would give me? (And on top of that my insurance, of course)

 

[HoneyBadger]

Hire a car instead?

 

[Haggisman]

Lol, Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving

Sorry, I really don't have anything useful to add I'm afraid

 

[overthinker]

Hire a car instead?

Unfortunately, I'd then have to apply for VE103B - also well in advance, e.g.:

You must apply for your VE103B at least 7 working days before you travel. (source)

 

[geekman]

Even before brexit, they asked for the V5 if you were stopped abroad. I was stopped twice in France, and both times they never cared about my insurance certificate, but wanted to see the V5 and drivers licence.

 

[Haggisman]

Even before brexit, they asked for the V5 if you were stopped abroad. I was stopped twice in France, and both times they never cared about my insurance certificate, but wanted to see the V5 and drivers licence.

Maybe country dependent? That hasn't been my experience driving round Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands several times, but I know France seem to have a lot of "interesting" rules! Or maybe I just got lucky

 

[Uther]

I think you'll also need green card insurance, so I doubt you would be able to get everything sorted within a day or so. It also sounds like a terrible idea to buy an unknown car and take it on a long trip across Europe.
Why not just fly and hire a car there?

 

[overthinker]

It also sounds like a terrible idea to buy an unknown car and take it on a long trip across Europe.

I totally agree with you.

Why not just fly and hire a car there?

The reason I need a UK car is because I have to bring back our family cat. And unfortunately, the only cat-safe way to get him into the UK is by road.

 

[Kenai]

Aren't there quite extensive rules for moving cats and dogs over borders as well now?

 

[mccarf]

Can't you borrow someone's car for a week or so (or however long the trip takes)? If I knew someone well and they offered me some £££ to borrow my car for a week, I'd go for it

 

[Nasher]

A week? Lol good luck.

I've been waiting over a month for a V5 to arrive. DVLA suck.

 

[overthinker]

Aren't there quite extensive rules for moving cats and dogs over borders as well now?

Well, the cat has a passport and is fully vaccinated. Or were you referring to some pandemic-related restrictions?

Can't you borrow someone's car for a week or so (or however long the trip takes)? If I knew someone well and they offered me some £££ to borrow my car for a week, I'd go for it

I wouldn't want to inconvenience my friends since they all have to commute to work - I live in a rural(ish) area. But it's a good point and something I'm definitely considering if all else fails. Would it then be a problem that V5C would be not in my name?

I've been waiting over a month for a V5 to arrive. DVLA suck.

Oh dear.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Put the cat into a catery for a week, buy a car and sort paperwork, collect cat, drive home. Or use someone like this https://pettransportservices.co.uk/

 

[Lopéz]

Lol, Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving

Sorry, I really don't have anything useful to add I'm afraid

What's Brexit got to do with it?
You've always needed to do this; when I had company cars from 2010 - 2018 I always had to get V5 copies from the lease company to take the car to Germany, France, Switzerland etc on camping trips.

 

[Burnsy2023]

Well, the cat has a passport and is fully vaccinated.

Was the pet passport issued in the UK? If so, it's no longer valid due to Brexit. If it were issued in the EU then you're fine.

 

[Haggisman]

What's Brexit got to do with it?
You've always needed to do this; when I had company cars from 2010 - 2018 I always had to get V5 copies from the lease company to take the car to Germany, France, Switzerland etc on camping trips.

See my later post, I've never had to do this before, so I assumed it was related to Brexit, if I was mistaken then I apologise

 

[cheesyboy]

A week? Lol good luck.

I've been waiting over a month for a V5 to arrive. DVLA suck.

I bought a car 9 days ago and got the V5 on the 4th working day after.

 

[[TW]Fox]

See my later post, I've never had to do this before

Are you sure? Did you check before setting off?

 

[bazzabear]

Would the new owner slip be sufficient for proof do you think? While waiting for the V5C.

 

[Lopéz]

See my later post, I've never had to do this before, so I assumed it was related to Brexit, if I was mistaken then I apologise

Pain in the backside for scenarios like this unfortunately