Car transfer and sorn after death?

Ramshanker

Hi all,

I'm estranged from my family and after my grandfather recently passed he left me his car in the will he had written.

I have the car off the road in my possession since my father who is the executor of the will gave me the keys.

Its parked off the road on private land but I dont know where to begin. At the moment it's not in my name as registered keeper and it's not sorn.

Its been 6/7weeks since his death and as I have had so much other things going on (his funeral, a family court case) and because I suffer with mental health issues I had just forgotten about the car (our of sight out of mind) whilst I've been grieving.

I've no family or friends to talk to so I'm unsure what to do. I have looked on the dvla site but I dont have his driving licence and my father (and family) and I are not on talking terms (havent been for 7yrs).

Whenever I do contact them (via sms) I get short unhelpful answers.

Please help, I'm at my wits end.

Thanks

TonyMMM

You need to register and tax it in your name - have you been given the V5C (registration document) ?

4leafclover_2

I ended up calling them and they were very helpful - after the call they sent me details below as I had the V5C. I usually avoid phone calls but in this case I was glad I called They understand that it is a difficult time and not the first thing that you do so they were not at all worried that it took me a couple of months to contact them. (the car was also off road and had not been used). Your family will probably have recovered the tax on it and dealt with the license if they used the governments 'Tell us once' service' which most people do. If you don't have the V5C they will tell you how to apply for one.

"Thank you for contacting DVLA, following your telephone conversation please see details below as discussed.

I am sorry to hear of the circumstances that have prompted you to contact us and trust you will accept my condolences on your recent bereavement.

In order for the vehicle record to be updated, please fill in the new keeper details (for buyer, yourself or family member) in section 6 of the V5C Registration Certificate and hand section 10 V5C/2 'New keeper's details' section to the new keeper. The new keeper should sign and date section 8. In the registered keeper part of section 8 please write 'deceased'.

The V5C should be returned to the address below with a note explaining the circumstances and name of the person the refund should be paid to (if applicable). A refund and new V5C will be issued within 6 weeks.

Keeper Team
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ

The new keeper will need to tax the vehicle using the V5C/2 immediately or make a SORN application to keep the vehicle off road.

If you want to make a SORN declaration, please return a V890 SORN application with the V5C when notifying the changes.

Form V890 can be downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/register-sorn-statutory-off-road-notification#other-ways-to-apply

You may also wish to return the driving licence for the deceased driver. This should be sent with a covering letter. However, if the licence is not available, a letter bearing your signature and stating the deceased's full name, date of birth and the address that would have shown on his/her driving licence will suffice. Please send to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AB