Why there is no V5C for a caravan
DVLA registers motor vehicles and issues the V5C to their registered keeper. It does not register caravans used in the UK. The only DVLA trailer scheme is for taking a trailer abroad: GOV.UK says "you must register all trailers over 750kg to drive through or to most countries in Europe apart from Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Spain", and that registration produces a trailer registration certificate, not a V5C. A caravan that never leaves the UK is never registered with DVLA at all, which is why it has no number plate of its own and displays the tow car's plate.
The CRiS Registration Document
CRiS, the Central Registration and Identification Scheme, has recorded UK-built touring caravans from National Caravan Council members since 1992 against a 17-digit CRiS number, which CRiS says is etched in the bottom right-hand corner of each window and on the main door to the habitation area, with a stamp on the chassis, often on the A-frame. When a caravan is registered, CRiS issues the CRiS Registration Document and a Keep Safe wallet card.
| CRiS service | Fee, checked 15 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| First registration | £20.95 |
| Change of name or address | £15.95 |
| CRiS Check (stolen, finance, write-off, registered keeper) | £17.95 |
Registered keeper is not legal owner
Like a V5C, the CRiS document names a keeper, not an owner. A caravan bought on finance belongs to the lender until the agreement is settled, and the document will not say so. The £17.95 CRiS check reports outstanding finance; the document alone does not.
What to ask a seller for
- The CRiS Registration Document in the seller's name, at the address where you are viewing.
- The 17-digit number on every window and the chassis, matching the document; see the caravan age checker for where to look and what the characters mean.
- The original purchase receipt or invoice, and the service history.
- The handbook and any warranty paperwork.
- A written receipt from the seller when you buy, with the CRiS number, price and both addresses.
No CRiS document at all?
A UK caravan built before 1992, an import, or one from a manufacturer outside the NCC may never have been registered, and you can register it yourself afterwards for £20.95. A post-1992 UK caravan whose seller cannot produce the document is a different matter: treat it as a warning sign and run the CRiS check before any money moves. The full theft checks are on how to check if a caravan is stolen.
Motorhomes do have a V5C
A motorhome or campervan is a registered motor vehicle with a V5C (a replacement costs £25 from DVLA). What to check on it before buying is on checking a motorhome's V5C logbook.
Buying a touring caravan?
Tourers use the CRiS register, not a vehicle check. Read our honest guide.
Touring caravan guide