It usually takes about 3–7 working days for a log book (V5C) to arrive when everything is submitted correctly and processed online, but it can take up to 4–6 weeks in some cases, especially if done by post or if there are delays.

How long does it take for a log book to come?

Typical timeframes (UK / DVLA-style systems)

From recent forum and advice-site discussions, these are the rough patterns people report:

  • Online change of keeper (dealer or seller does it online)
    • Common real-world reports: 2–7 working days for the new V5C to land in your post.
* Many users say they had theirs **within a week** , sometimes as fast as **3 days**.
  • By post (V5 sent in or V62 form)
    • Stated guidance: often “up to 4 weeks” , sometimes 4–6 weeks in older cases.
* Recent guidance for a replacement via V62:
  * If you’re already the registered keeper: **around 2 weeks** is typical.

  * If you’ve just bought the car and DVLA hasn’t registered you yet: **up to 4 weeks** or a bit more in rare cases.
  • Brand‑new vehicles / new builds
    • One rider with a brand‑new, scratch-built bike was told about 6 weeks for the first log book to be issued, then about another week to transfer to the new owner.

Why yours might be taking longer

Common reasons people in forum discussions give for delays:

  • Seller never actually sent the paperwork or had issues doing it online.
  • Done by post instead of online , so you’re at the mercy of both postal delays and processing queues.
  • Seasonal delays (e.g., Christmas, bank holidays, Royal Mail issues) adding extra days or weeks.
  • First-time registration or change via V62 , which naturally takes longer.

A lot of people start to worry after about 2 weeks if they know it was done online, or after 4 weeks if it was done by post.

What you can do if you’re waiting

If you’re currently waiting, here’s a simple way to think about it:

  1. Work out how it was done
    • If the dealer or seller says they did it online , you’d normally expect it within a week.
 * If they mailed the V5 or you used a **V62** form, give it **2–4 weeks** first.
  1. Check what proof you already have
    • Keep the green slip/new keeper slip , any receipt , and messages/contracts as proof you bought the vehicle; these don’t replace a log book, but they help if anything needs chasing.
  1. When to start chasing
    • Online and more than 2 weeks : worth calling the relevant vehicle authority to confirm it’s in progress.
    • By post and more than 4 weeks : time to contact them; some users only got action after chasing, especially if something was “lost”.

Mini forum‑style snapshot

“Log books come through quickly (5–7 working days in my experience).”

“Online – pretty fast, about 2–3 days. By post – several weeks.”

“I’ve usually had the logbook within 3 or 4 days… but they’ll tell you ‘wait up to 4–6 weeks’ if you ring.”

“Replacement logbook via V62: usually about two weeks, up to four weeks if you’ve just bought the car.”

Key takeaway

  • Normal: around 1 week if everything was done online and there are no postal delays.
  • Still within guidance: 2–4 weeks if done by post or via V62.
  • Time to worry/chase: more than 2 weeks (online) or 4+ weeks (post/V62) with no sign and no explanation.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.