URGENT: Going to Europe on Sunday and no V5 yet
 

Having recently moved house, I duly sent my documents off to the DVLA for a change of address to avoid the £1000 fine they like to threaten me with. I got my licence back Thursday morning, but my V5 still hasn't materialised. Naturally, I'm slightly panicked and I'm not comfortable with travelling without it. The only solution I can think of, other than delaying my departure (not an option), is to take my purchase receipt (dated April '06) and my logbook as proof of ownership. Does anyone think this is a particularly bad idea? Obviously, I'm going to be terrified if I get pulled anywhere which will take some of the fun out of the journey, but it's either that or don't go at all. I'm literally only travelling through EU member states if that makes any difference (well, less border guards anyway).

How long does it take the DVLA to type 5 damn lines and put a piece of paper in an envelope?!

The DVLA are completely crap. They take months to do anything. I think the correct civil service term is 'creative inertia'.
However, the good news is I've never had any EU country look at my V5. In fact in the longer term members I've never slowed below about 30mph whilst crossing a border!
Only in the new states like Slovenia and Hungary have I had perfunctory passport checks (earlier this year). And they still didn't want to see a V5.
Matt

Well, I'm not going that far over (I'd have to be really lost). Only France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium. Not even Switzerland.

Just had a thought... They can't see where you're from until you're past anyway.

Don't worry about it mate.Like Matt i've never been asked for proof of ownership before anywhere in Europe.If you kept the green tearoff strip bit,then this will do in the very unlikely event of you being asked for a reg document.

The problem you will have, isn't crossing EU or Swiss borders. It's if you're stopped by the police for speeding or anything or an accident. I know for a fact you will be fined in Italy if you can't produce the documents. Although I've been all round there many times and I've never been asked once for my documents.
You pay your money and you take your chances ;)

My mental breakdown has been averted: the V5 turned up this morning. Now I'm going to have to slip into work quietly and use the photocopier on a Saturday.

Hi Stubby

Good to see you at the Belgian meet- but those leather trousers with the strings up the sides were a mistake! Dolly your girl was in good form though; fluent in Welsh too, as you probably are.

I hope youre feeling better with that new medication - you seem a lot cheerier.