Who can transfer car ownership?
Only a vehicle’s registered keeper can legally transfer a car and its logbook into another name. Bear in mind that the keeper of a car doesn’t necessarily have to be its owner. Although sometimes these two can be the same person, they can also be different people or companies. Plus, the V5C is not proof of ownership.
The Owner is the person or company that paid for that car and legally owns it. If you drive a company car, then the company is the owner and you’re the keeper. Or if the car is a family car, the owner may be one of the parents – or both -, even if they don’t drive the vehicle.
The Keeper of a vehicle is the person named on the V5C, also called ‘registration document’ or ‘log book’. The keeper is legally responsible for the car and the one that could be pursued by the law if they do something illegal.
Even if someone else paid for the car, the legal keeper is the person in charge of insuring and taxing the vehicle, keeping it roadworthy and obtaining an MOT if it’s more than three years old.
As the legal keeper, if your car is involved in any motoring offence, you’ll be the one contacted by the authorities and responsible for any fines. Even if you weren’t the one driving the car when the infraction happened.