Vehicle registration certificate

A vehicle registration certificate is an official
document providing proof of registration of a vehicle. It is used primarily by governments as a means of ensuring that all road vehicles are on the national vehicle register, but is also used as a form of law enforcement and to facilitate change of ownership when buying and selling a vehicle.

European Union and European Economic Area

In the European Economic Area, vehicle registration certificates are governed by the European directive 1999/37/EC. They consist of two parts, and can be either a paper document or a smart card. The information contained in these registration certificates includes:

Vehicle registration number
Personal data of the individual to whom the vehicle is registered
Vehicle identification number
Engine specifications
Exhaust emissions

United Kingdom

In the UK the document is the V5C, also commonly called the "log book". The document is issued by the DVLA and tracks the registered keeper of the vehicle. When a vehicle is transferred, exported, scrapped or had major modification the form is returned to the DVLA with details of the required changes, who then issue a new document with the details amended.