Request Vehicle Information from DVLA

What is the V888 Form?

The DVLA V888 form — officially titled Request by an individual for information about a vehicle — is the form you use to ask DVLA to release specific information held on the vehicle register. It is available to members of the public, not just businesses or legal professionals, and covers two main situations: finding out who was the registered keeper of a vehicle at the time of a specific incident, or requesting records about a vehicle that is or was registered in your own name.

Unlike many DVLA services, the V888 cannot be submitted online. It must be printed, completed, and posted to DVLA Swansea by first-class post along with a cheque for the applicable DVLA fee. This is where CarForms helps — we take care of the whole process so you do not need to print, write a cheque, or visit a post office.

All V888 applications are processed manually by DVLA staff. Responses are typically sent to your registered address within four to six weeks, though during busy periods this can take longer. The information DVLA releases is strictly controlled by the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 and GDPR legislation, and DVLA will only release data where there is a valid legal basis for doing so.

Option A: Keeper at the Date of Incident

Option A on the V888 form lets you request information about who was the registered keeper of a vehicle on a specific date. This is most commonly used after a road traffic accident, a hit-and-run collision, a parking dispute, or a situation where an uninsured vehicle caused damage and the driver did not stop.

To use Option A, you must be able to show DVLA a legitimate reason — known as "reasonable cause" — for needing the information. Typical acceptable reasons include pursuing an insurance claim, recovering losses from a civil incident, or reporting the vehicle to the police for an offence you witnessed. DVLA will not release information purely out of curiosity, and applications without a clear stated reason are likely to be declined.

You will need to provide the vehicle's registration number and the date of the incident. DVLA will then confirm the name and address of the registered keeper at that date, which you can use for correspondence, legal proceedings, or insurance purposes.

The DVLA fee for Option A is £2.50, which is included within our £19.95 service charge. You do not need to arrange a separate cheque or postal order.

Option B: Your Own Vehicle Records

Option B allows you to request information about a vehicle that is currently, or was previously, registered in your name. This is useful if you have bought a vehicle and want to confirm the full registration history, if you need to verify details for an insurance claim on a vehicle you no longer own, or if you simply want to see what information DVLA holds about a vehicle you previously kept.

For Option B, you will need to provide your name and address as it appeared on the vehicle's records, along with the registration number. Because the request relates to your own vehicle, the "reasonable cause" requirement is less restrictive — DVLA considers this a legitimate subject access type request.

The DVLA fee for Option B is £5.00, which is included in our £19.95 all-in charge. DVLA will write to your current address with the information held on the vehicle register.

Who Cannot Use the V888?

The V888 is for individuals only. Businesses, local authorities, parking companies, and other organisations cannot use this form — they must apply separately using the V888B form. If you are a business trying to recover an unpaid parking charge or pursue a driver through a private parking scheme, you will need to use the appropriate commercial route.

If you are unsure whether Option A or Option B applies to your situation, you can contact us before applying and we will help you choose the right option.