Major panic - v5c
 

I'm leaving for Morrocco, western sahara, Mauratania and Senegal on 24th November.

I'm driving a 1997 R Reg 300tdi Disco

I've just been getting documents together and have suddenly found that I have no idea where my V5C is. The chances are it has gone missing in a move. Looking at the DVLA website there is no way to fast track the log book before I leave.

I'm intending to buy insurance at each border but I'm now really worried that I will have serious problems without a V5C.

I would really appreciate peoples help/advice on this! Thanks

Fake one?

It is very naughty, but with photoshop or something similar and all of the correct details you could make a 2 sheet V5 easy enough. If everything is right and correct who is going to phone up the DVLC and wait 20 minutes listening to Greensleves just to get the yes it is comment.

You just need to make sure that everything is correct. This might mean that you have to get the document number from DVLC.

It's better than a ruined trip, hopefully!?

Yeah this is what I'm thinking at this point.

Looking at another V5C it's going to be hard to match the paper plus the perforations but what else can I do at this point?

Obvisouly I am going to contact the DVLA tomorrow but I would really appreciate anyones advice on wether I am able to get into Morroco without a V5C in my name?

Really stressing out here....

get your arse in gear and get it in NOW!! Just sent 3 in for change of address and they were back in a little over 2 weeks. It might speed it up if you take the forms to your local DVLA centre. make arrangements with someone to send it on if need be while you make your way through Europe, with your fingers crossed!! Even in Europe, get caught without it and your in the poo, don't ask me how I know!!

Contrary to popular belief, border guards and the police aren't stupid and if you get a particularly sharp one, he will know the difference between a fake and the real thing, I know because I try and hand over a good colour copy if I can rather than the original but I still often get asked for the original.

First thing tomorrow I'll be on the phone to the DVLA and will deal with it from there even if i have to drive to swnasea and camp out there...

I just wondering what I do in the worst case here.....is there anyway I can travel without it. I;m willing to take the rap in Europe and feign ignoirance or that I forgot it but can I do the same in morroco as I don't want to drive all that way get a ferry and then be turned back...

Please can someone else give me clarification over entering Europe, Morrocco, Western Sahara, Maurantnia and Senegal without a log book.

The DVLA have told me I'm looking at 4 - 6 week wait and I'm meant to leave in 2.5 weeks.

I'm seriously desperate for informed info, please help me

...particularly not in places like Ceuta or Tangiers where the customs officer sees lots of UK vehicles every month.

You might be lucky entering France at Calais without papers (middle of the night?) and are less likely to have issues crossing Europe, but south of Gibraltar without papers is tending towards impossible.

One of our clients lost his V5C, phoned the DVLA and had a replacement in a week.
French customs checks are carried out at Dover port; they'll only b checking passports.
The last few times we've used TangerMed to enter Morocco, we've only been asked for the D16ter; V5C not required.

Happy trails,

Peter

I think without a V5 you will struggle. I came down about 2 weeks ago Spain, Morocco, Mauri, Senegal and Gambia. They all asked to see the V5, at Morocco they stressed they needed the original. I did not trust them at Rosso and gave them a good copy which they accepted but somehow I never got it back.

I did it too but got fixed in hours
 

see my post here and you will be OK!

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-lost-v5-77699

:thumbup1:top post Tim, I reckon if he gets on with it, he'll be ok.

It's no problem getting into Europe without it, it's just if you get pulled by plod.

I've gone down the Photoshop route twice with my v5s for west africa (on the basis I don't like being held to ranson with the originals) and not had a problem - always been accepted. But - they have to be very good. Faultless colour matched and profiled photoshop work, double side printed on A3 similar paper and then kicked around for a while to "distress" them like the originals always are. Finding someone who can do one off d/s printing on matched paper is not easy.

I've been going around with laminated photocopies of the v5 mostly to prevent damage to the original. Never had a problem, the only time I was actually asked for the original was once when they guy thought I was trying to permanently import. Other than that they have been happy with something that is clearly a copy.

I tried the same but lots wouldn't take it, they wanted the original. I still carry copies and present them first, mostly to avoid the potential of being held to ransom to get it back!

guess it just depends where you go and who is on duty on the day.

we got stopped coming out of Gib one time in two landcruisers loaded with schoolbooks. because they were new the Spanish customs guy said we needed a full inventory and might have to pay duty. I couldn't prove they had come from the UK as they were donated so no receipts.

We had to go back into Gib and spent the evening unloading everything and doing an inventory which took hours. Next morning, we arrived at the border, timed it for the shift change. Spanish customs stuck his head through the window (it was open!) asked if we had any beer or fags and then waved us through!! couldn't have been two more different experiences.