Change of Ownership

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The requirement for the seller to forward change of ownership documentation to either the Motor Tax Office or Department of Transport is contained in the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992.   The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 provides that where the buyer does not complete the required process, they must complete a Statutory Declaration to effect the change of ownership. 

If you sell or trade-in your car, you are obliged to update the vehicle owner details to the Department of Transport.  If the vehicle continues to remain in your name, you will be legally liable for any charges including motor tax, toll charges and any penalties which may be incurred for any traffic violations (e.g. parking fines). 

Pre-1993 registered vehicles:

Sale / Trade-In to a Motor Dealer:

Give the dealer the Log Book and send the Form  RF200 (English) to the Motor Tax Office.

Private Sale:

Send the completed Change of Ownership Form RF105 (English) and the Log Book to the Motor Tax Office. 

Post-1993 registered vehicles:

Sale / Trade-In to a Motor Dealer:

1. You and the motor dealer must complete Form RF105 and you should present your Vehicle Registration Certificate to the motor dealer. 
2. If the dealer is enabled to notify the change of ownership over the internet (larger dealers have this facility) no further action is required on your part.  The dealer will retain Form RF105.   If the dealer is not enabled to notify the change over the Internet, you must send Form RF105 to: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Computer Services Division (DVCSD), Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, Shannon, Co. Clare.  Remember that responsibility to send the form rests entirely with you.
3. The DVCSD will record the dealer as the registered owner of the vehicle on the NVDF.

Private Sale:

1. You and the buyer must complete and sign the reverse of your Vehicle Registration Certificate. 
2. The seller should immediately post the Vehicle Registration Certificate to: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Computer Services Division (DVCSD), Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, Shannon, Co. Clare.  **
3. The DVCSD will record the buyer as the registered owner of the vehicle on the NVDF and a Vehicle Registration Certificate will be issued to the buyer.

** It is the responsibility of the seller to ensure that the form is completed and sent to the DVCSD for processing.   You should not hand over the Vehicle Registration Certificate to the new owner on the presumption that he/she will post the document.  (Remember that it may be in the interest of the buyer that the details are not recorded and you will continue to be liable for the vehicle.)  Particular care should be taken in respect of sales from advertisements placed in newspapers/magazines and internet sites.

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