The Minister of State for International and Road Transport and Logistics, James Lawless, has launched a new Online Change of Vehicle Ownership service, hoping to make it easier for private vehicle owners to transfer ownership. This service is now live and can be accessed at www.vehicleservices.gov.ie/cvo/ or through www.motortax.ie (also available as Gaeilge on www.motarchain.ie).
How the new service works
The new online system allows the seller to initiate the process by entering their vehicle registration and vehicle registration certificate number. Once verified, the seller receives a one-time transfer PIN via email, which they share with the buyer. The buyer then uses this PIN and logs in through their MyGovID account to complete the transaction. Once finalised, the vehicle’s ownership is officially transferred, and a new Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) is posted to the buyer's address.
Benefits of the online service
The service offers a range of advantages, making the vehicle ownership transfer process more efficient and transparent. Buyers can check important vehicle details, such as make/model, colour, motor tax status, NCT test status, the number of previous owners and whether the vehicle was imported, in real time. This ensures that the buyer has accurate and up-to-date information before completing the purchase.
The transfer PIN is only valid for 30 minutes to encourage real-time updating, though this may be adjusted based on user feedback. The service also requires buyers to log in through their verified MyGovID account, to ensure secure online identity verification.
A step towards digital transformation
This online service represents another step in the Government’s Public Service Transformation Framework, which aims to make more services available digitally. Previously, changing vehicle ownership required posting the Vehicle Registration Certificate to the Department of Transport’s office in Shannon or visiting a motor tax office. Now, both sellers and buyers can complete the process in real time from any location, saving time and effort.
This new online system does not replace the old system. The old system will still be in operation for those who wish to use it.
Minister’s comments
Minister James Lawless emphasised the benefits of this service, stating: “It is now possible to transfer vehicle ownership online, in real-time, when the vehicle is physically changing hands. The new service benefits both the seller and the buyer at the point of sale. The seller can be satisfied that the vehicle is no longer recorded in their name and that they have no further legal obligations with regard to it, while the buyer has confirmation that they are now the recorded owner of the vehicle on the National Driver and Vehicle File.
“As these private change of ownership notifications were previously processed through manual data entry on the NVDF, there are obvious advantages to offering the service online. The new service will put the notification of the ownership change entirely in the hands of the seller and buyer of the vehicle, and save them time and money. The sharing of real-time data on the status of the transaction will result in a better customer experience for both parties.”
Digitalising Ireland’s transport services
Approximately one million changes of vehicle ownership occur in Ireland each year, with about half being private sales. By moving this process online, the Department of Transport aims to make it more convenient for vehicle owners and reduce the need for manual data entry.
The service also forms part of broader plans to digitalise Ireland’s transport services, including the eventual removal of paper tax discs from windscreens and the development of a "Life Events" portal for all transport-related citizen services.