Car Registered Owner Vs Registered Keeper: What’s The Difference?

Written by Danny Collins
Last updated: January 27, 2024
car registered owner vs registered keeper

When you purchase an automobile, whether it’s new or used, you will have to deal with a lot of paperwork. This paperwork is important because it shows that you are the car’s legal owner. This is especially important if you plan to purchase a used car. It will help if you are certain that the car was not stolen and that the previous owner has no legal claims to the vehicle. To do this, you need to understand the documents that come with car ownership.

One of the most important documents to know is the car’s V5 registration certificate. This document has two key pieces of information: the registered owner and the registered keeper. The registered owner is the person who buys the car from the dealership or a private seller. The car registered keeper is the person who uses and keeps the car at their home. In most cases, the registered owner and the registered keeper are the same people.

However, there are some situations where the registered owner and the registered keeper are different people. For example, if you buy a used car from a dealership but don’t have a place to keep it at your home, you can have the car delivered to a storage facility. In this case, the registered owner would be you, but the registered keeper would be the storage facility.

It’s important for car owners to know the difference between a registered owner and a registered keeper because if there is ever an issue with the car, you need to know who to contact. For example, if the police stop your car for a traffic violation, the police officer will need to know who the car’s registered keeper is. If you are the registered owner but not the registered keeper, you may still be responsible for the traffic violation.

So, what’s the difference between a Registered Owner and a Registered Keeper? Let’s take a look.

The Car Registered Owner

The Registered Owner is the person who buys the car from the dealership or a private seller. This person is also known as the Title Holder. The Registered Owner’s name will appear on the car’s registration certificate. The dealership usually transfers the ownership to you when you buy a car. However, if you buy a car from a private seller, you must transfer the ownership yourself.

The Car Registered Owner is responsible for the following:

  • Paying for the car
  • Registering the car
  • Registering the car for insurance
  • Keeping the car in good condition

The Car Registered Keeper

The Car Registered Keeper is the person who uses and keeps the car at their home. This person is also known as the Lien Holder. The Registered Keeper’s name will appear on the car’s registration certificate. In most cases, the Registered Keeper is also the Registered Owner. However, there are some situations where the two are different people. For example, if you buy a car from a dealership but don’t have a place to keep it at your home, you can have the car delivered to a storage facility. In this case, the registered owner would be you, but the registered keeper would be the storage facility. Another example is if you buy a car, but a bank finances it. In this case, the bank would be the Registered Owner, and you would be the Registered Keeper.

The Car Registered Keeper is responsible for the following:

  • Using the car
  • Keeping the car at their home
  • Paying for parking and storage fees (if applicable)
  • Maintaining the car in good condition

The Difference Between A Car Registered Owner And A Car Registered Keeper

The main difference between a Registered Owner and a Registered Keeper is that the Registered Owner is the person who buys the car while the Registered Keeper is the person who uses and keeps the car at their home. A Registered Owner will be responsible for the car’s registration and insurance. A Registered Keeper may be responsible for traffic violations. 

It’s important to understand the main difference between these two roles because it can help you determine who to contact if there is ever an issue with your car.

Can I Change The Registered Owner Or Registered Keeper?

Yes, you can change a car’s Registered Owner or Registered Keeper. To do this, you must complete a form and submit it to your local DMV. You may also need to pay a substantial fee. You must provide the new owner’s information if you change the car’s ownership. You must provide the new keeper’s information if changing the Registered Keeper.

This is common if you sell your car to someone who wants to register it in their name. If this is the issue, you would need to change the car’s ownership. If you move and want to keep your car at your new address, you will need to change the Registered Keeper. If you plan to buy a used automobile, you may want to check the registration certificate to see who is listed as the Car Registered Owner and Keeper. This can give you some insight into the car’s history. Once you purchase the used car, you can change the ownership and keeper to your name if you wish.

What Else Do I Need To Know Before Changing Ownership Or Keeper?

It would be best if you kept a few things in mind before changing the ownership or keeper of a car. First, you should make sure the car is insured. If you change the car’s ownership, you must provide the insurance company with the new owner’s information. If you change the Registered Keeper, you may need to update your insurance policy. You should also ensure no outstanding traffic violations or other issues with the car. These must be resolved before you can change the ownership or keeper.

Changing the ownership or keeper of a car is not a difficult process, but it’s important to understand all the steps involved before you begin. This will help ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you don’t encounter any problems. If you are buying a used car, our free car check can help you check the previous owners of any vehicle in the UK.