Lost Log Book in Ireland? How to Get a Replacement VRC

How to replace a lost log book, step by step

1. Get form RF134. It is available to download from motortax.ie or from any motor tax office.
2. Fill it in. You will need your name and address exactly as they appear on the vehicle record, the registration number and the reason for the replacement (lost, stolen, damaged).
3. Bring it to a Garda station. A member of An Garda Síochána needs to witness your identity, then sign and stamp the form. Bring photo ID such as a driving licence or passport. Do not sign the declaration until you are in front of the Garda.
4. Send it to your motor tax office with the €12 fee. Most councils accept it by post or in person.
5. Wait for the post. The replacement VRC is printed centrally and posted to the registered address on file.

Tip: if you have moved house since the car was registered, the new log book will go to your old address. Update your details first using form RF111 (Change of Particulars), with proof of your new address, and send both together.

Replacing a log book in Cork

Cork city and county are both served by the Cork Motor Taxation Office, run by Cork County Council. Its lost documents page has the current address, opening hours and accepted payment methods, so check it before you travel, as in-person services have operated by appointment at times.

Outside Cork, use the Department of Transport's motor tax office finder. Posting the form is usually the easiest option: get the Garda stamp locally, then post the RF134 and fee to your council's office.

Who can apply, and what if it is not you?

Only the person or company named as the registered owner can apply for a replacement. That matters in a few common situations:

• You bought a car and the seller never gave you the log book. You are not the registered owner yet, so you cannot apply. The seller has to order the replacement and then complete the change of ownership.
• The registered owner has died. The executor or solicitor for the estate deals with the vehicle, and a statutory declaration may be needed if the VRC cannot be found.
• A company car. The application has to come from the company that owns the car, not the employee driving it.
• A recently imported car. If the first Irish VRC never arrived, contact the Vehicle Registration Unit in Shannon rather than your motor tax office.

If the log book was stolen

Report the theft to the Gardaí first. Note the incident reference on the RF134 so the old VRC is recorded as stolen. If the car itself was stolen, tell your insurer straight away as well.

What you can and cannot do without a log book

Task	Without the VRC?
Sell the car or change ownership	No. Both the online and paper transfers need the VRC
Renew motor tax online	Usually yes, using the PIN on your renewal notice
Sit the NCT	The NCTS asks for the VRC, so you may be turned away
Get insured	Generally yes, though some insurers ask for VRC details
Trade in at a dealer	Most dealers will want it before completing the deal

Our motor tax guide explains which PIN to use when renewing online, and our NCT checklist covers the documents the test centre asks for.

Buying a car with no log book

Treat it as a red flag. Legitimate sellers can replace a log book for €12 within a fortnight, so "it's lost but I'll post it on" is not a good enough answer. Without the VRC you cannot complete the transfer, and you have no proof of who actually owns the car. If you are serious about the car, run a history check and agree to complete the sale only once the replacement arrives.

Common questions

Can I get a replacement log book online in Ireland?

Not fully. You can download the RF134 form online, but it has to be signed in front of a Garda and stamped, then sent to your motor tax office with the fee.

How much is a replacement log book?

€12 for a replacement Vehicle Registration Certificate.

How long does a replacement log book take?

Allow 5 to 10 working days after your motor tax office processes the application, plus postage time if you send it in.

Do I need a Garda stamp for a replacement log book?

Yes. The RF134 must be witnessed, signed and stamped at a Garda station.

What is the difference between a log book, VRC and VLC?

They are all names for the registration document. Older vehicles may have a Vehicle Licensing Certificate (VLC) or a registration book. The replacement process is the same RF134 form.

The short version

Download RF134, get it stamped at a Garda station, and send it to your motor tax office with €12. Update your address first if you have moved. Do it as soon as you notice the log book is missing, because you will need it the moment you sell the car.

Based on motor tax office and Department of Transport guidance as of October 2026. Fees and office arrangements can change, so check your council's motor tax page before applying.