Motor Vehicle Change of Ownership Registration

How to register a change of ownership for a vehicle

Changes of ownership for all vehicles registered from January 1993 are processed by the Department of Transport. Please complete the blue panel on the back page of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC/logbook), and send it to the address provided on the same page: 

Department of Transport
Vehicle Registration Unit
Shannon
Co. Clare

Please ensure to provide the full address of the buyer, as well as the correct date of sale and signatures of both the buyer and seller. Any omissions may result in a delay of the ownership changing. 

Vehicles registered before January 1993 

Changes of ownership for older vehicles which have a brown registration book are processed by the motor tax office.  Please complete an RF200 (Notification of Transfer of Vehicle Ownership) form and submit it with the registration book to your local motor tax office. 

We will process the change of ownership and return the registration book to the new owner. 

Please ensure the RF200 form is fully completed: the seller should complete Part A with the registration number, chassis number, their name, address, signature, and the date of sale; the buyer should likewise complete Part B with their name, address, and signature. 

How do I change ownership if documentation is missing?

If the Vehicle Registration Certificate or Registration Book for a vehicle has been lost or destroyed, the current registered owner of the vehicle can apply for a replacement through their local motor tax office. Once received, this may be used to complete the sale. 

How do I change ownership of a vehicle that has never been taxed?

Please note that if a vehicle has never been taxed in Ireland, the registration certificate/book will not yet have been issued. In this instance, please forward a letter with the following details to the Department of Transport: 

  • Vehicle Registration number and Chassis number (VIN) 
  • The name and address of the new owner 
  • The date of sale 
  • Signatures of both buyer and seller 

Alternatively, you can complete form RF200 and send it to the Department of Transport as it confirms the same details.  They will process the change of ownership and notify the new owner. 

If a change of ownership cannot progress because the current owner is uncontactable or deceased, please contact your local motor tax office. We will advise how to transfer the ownership as appropriate to the given situation. 

Further information

If you have any other queries, please contact us directly at 057 8664009 or email motortax@laoiscoco.ie.