Archive Website of the UK government

The online vehicle details enquiry service

You can find information such as the cost of the vehicle's tax, when the tax is due and the CO2 emissions for the vehicle. There are no personal details given in this service.

• Vehicle details enquiries Opens new window

Making an enquiry by phone

The DVLA has two phone services and the lines are open during the following times:

Driver and Vehicle General lines - Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 7.00 pm; Saturday 8.00 am to 2.00 pm

Electronic and Driver licensing online - Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.30 pm; Saturday 8.00 am to 5.30 pm

Vehicle check service

You can check a vehicle’s:

• date of first registration
• year of manufacture
• engine capacity (cc)
• CO2 emissions
• colour

The phone number is 0906 185 8585. This is at the premium rate and charged at 51p per minute - other service providers charges may vary.

Date of liability (vehicle tax due date) line

This service gives information on the expiry date of the current tax disc or SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). The phone number is 0906 765 7585. This is at the premium rate and charged at 51p per minute - other service providers charges may vary.

There are no personal details given in either of these services.

Enquiries by post

You’ll need to fill in a ‘Request for information’ (V888) form if you want information about:

• another vehicle’s keeper details – the fee for this is £2.50
• previous keepers for a vehicle now registered in your name – the fee for this is £5.00

How to find out about the keeper details of another vehicle

You can only get the name and address of the registered keeper of another vehicle if you can demonstrate ‘reasonable cause’ for needing the information. The DVLA must consider the reasons why you need the information and how it will be used before it is given to you.

It is a criminal offence under Section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998 to unlawfully obtain or sell personal information. Unlimited fines in the Crown Court (or to a maximum of £5,000 in the Magistrates Court) exist as penalties in respect of these offences.

To check on the circumstances in which you can ask for information, what evidence you need to provide and what information will be supplied, go to:

• Download 'The minimum evidence needed to demonstrate reasonable cause' (PDF, 1418K)

• Help with PDF files

Send the V888 form and the right fee to:

Vehicles Fee Paying Enquiry Section
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AJ

• Download 'Request for information by a member of the public (V888)' (PDF, 193K)

• Download 'Request for information by a business (V888/2)' (PDF, 209K)

• Download 'Request for information for those who issue a parking charge notice (V888/3)' (PDF, 209K)

• Help with PDF files