The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2004 introduced a document for registration and licensing purposes in compliance with the requirements of EU Directive 1999/37/EC. The Registration Certificate constitutes the registration or ‘log’ book for a vehicle and is generated by the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) when a recently registered vehicle (new and imported) has been road taxed for the first time and upon each change of ownership (other than to a motor dealer) subsequently. The registration certificate is an important document and must be stored carefully. It will be required when the vehicle next changes ownership.

The Vehicle Licensing Certificate predates the Vehicle Registration Certificate and ceased to be issued in May 2004. However this Certificate may still be associated with vehicles registered before May 2004 which has not changed ownership in the interval. In such cases a Vehicle Registration Certificate will be issued to the new owner upon change of ownership.

Where a Vehicle Registration Certificate has been lost or destroyed Form RF134 must be completed and forwarded to the vehicle owner’s local motor taxation office, accompanied by a fee of €12.00. This form must be witnessed and stamped by a member of An Garda Síochána. This form is available at www.motortax.ie.