Everything you need to know about Form V888

What is Form V888?

Form V888 is the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) application used by a private individual to request the name and address of a vehicle's registered keeper. It's the individual counterpart to the V888/2 series forms used by companies. The DVLA only discloses keeper information where the applicant demonstrates "reasonable cause" under the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 — protecting keepers from being traced for trivial or malicious reasons while still allowing legitimate enquiries.

Who can use Form V888?

Individuals with a genuine, specific reason to identify a vehicle's registered keeper — most commonly someone involved in a road traffic accident who needs the other party's details for an insurance or legal claim, or someone pursuing a civil claim connected to a vehicle (an unpaid debt secured on the car, a private sale dispute, or similar). Casual curiosity, wanting to contact someone for personal reasons unrelated to the vehicle, or harassment-adjacent purposes do not meet the reasonable cause standard and will be refused.

What information does the DVLA release?

If the DVLA accepts the reasonable cause explanation, it discloses the registered keeper's name and address as held on record. It will not disclose the driver at the time of any incident (who may be different from the keeper), phone numbers, email addresses, or any other personal data. The DVLA logs and can audit all disclosures, and applicants who give false information to obtain keeper data commit a criminal offence.

How do you complete and submit Form V888?

Provide your own name and address, the vehicle registration mark, the date and location of the relevant incident or dispute, and a clear written explanation of the reasonable cause together with any supporting evidence (accident report, police reference, correspondence about the dispute). Sign the declaration confirming the information is genuine. Post the completed form with the current fee to DVLA Swansea. Processing usually takes a few weeks; the DVLA does not offer online submission for individual requests.