Transferring the Registered Keeper of a vehicle

[buildersmate]

Is it possible for anyone other than the existing Registered Keeper to transfer a vehicle to another person using the normal V5C process?
Specifically, the executor of the estate of a deceased person who was the registered keeper of the vehicle, but prior to a Grant of Probate.
I am well aware the DVLA can answer this question but their 0870 line is permanently busy and they haven't get replied to my email asking the same question.

[magicmerlin]

Do you have a dvla in your vicinity, if so, they will have public access for taxing vehicles and answering queries etc. I know there is one in Leeds (West Yorkshire) but I don't know where you are.

[magicmerlin]

Have a look at this website for your nearest dvla office.


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Us efulContactsByCategory/MotoringContacts/DG_100 12974

[magicmerlin]

Is the car registration to be transferred to the inheritor of the car as per the Will of the deceased? If not then I think it will have to be 'sold' and the money put back into the estate to be divided amongst the inheritors of the estate. Unless there is only one inheritor.

[buildersmate]

Thank you Magic for your suggestions. Rather than run around after the DVLA, I was rather hoping I could find out over the phone or by email. Unfortunately their callcentre is overloaded and they don't answer emails within the service standard that they claim.
I used the term 'Registered Keeper' specifically. The RK is not the same thing as the legal owner and I wish to enable a third party to have use of the vehicle during a period of time prior to obtaining Probate. I cannot sell the car until I have Probate - I am well aware of that.
Any one else?

[magicmerlin]

Why do you want to change registered keeper before you have Probate? Have you considered the possibility of having the car insured for the proposed 'third party' user, the original insurer may be able to help if you explain the circumstances, they may add the third person as an additional driver?

[buildersmate]

Could be feasible (I didn't check) though unlikely I think. Can't see the insurer being happy with a policy still open for a deceased person (hardly the 'main user' criterion) whilst an additional driver gets added when there wasn't one before.
In the last hour the DVLA have got off the pot.
The answer (for anyone mildly interested) is:
I complete Section 6 (The New Keeper section) with both a new name and a new address.
In Section 8 (the Declaration) I get the new keeper to sign it. I don't sign it.
I give the New Keeper Supplement (section 10) to the new keeper, and I send the V5 back to the DVLA with a covering note explaining the circumstances.

[buildersmate]

Yes, because I'm not disposing of it - I am merely allowing someone else to use it.
The Registered Keeper is not necessarily the same thing as the legal owner.
Time to start awarding stars to myself, me thinks.