Download form RF134 from gov.ie. Fill it in, take it to your local Garda station to be witnessed and stamped, then post it to your motor tax office with €12. A new VRC arrives in 5–10 working days from Shannon. Only the registered owner can apply. If stolen, report to Gardai first and get a crime reference number.
What is the VRC?
The Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) — commonly called the logbook — is the official document issued by the Department of Transport that confirms a vehicle's registration and ownership details. It is a credit-card-sized plastic card containing:
- Registered owner's name and address
- Vehicle registration number
- VIN (chassis number)
- Make, model, year, colour, engine size, fuel type
- CO₂ emissions band
- A PIN (used for online motor tax and ownership transfer)
When you need your VRC
Step-by-step replacement process
Available at gov.ie, motortax.ie, or from any motor tax office in person. The form is called "Application for Replacement Documents".
Your name, address, PPS number, vehicle registration number, and the reason for the replacement (lost, damaged, stolen). Tick "Vehicle Registration Certificate" on the form.
A member of An Garda Siochana must witness your identity, sign and stamp the form. Bring photo ID (passport or driving licence). This is to prevent fraud.
Post or hand in the completed, Garda-stamped RF134 along with the €12 fee. Pay by cheque, postal order, or bank draft made payable to your county council.
The Department of Transport (Shannon) prints and posts the new VRC to the address on your vehicle record. Expect 5–10 working days.
Form RF134 is available at gov.ie/en/publication/64a874-application-for-replacement-documents/ or directly from motortax.ie.
If your VRC was stolen
If your VRC was stolen (not just lost), take these extra steps before applying for a replacement:
Visit your local Garda station and report the VRC as stolen. Get a crime reference number — you will need this on the RF134 form.
Write it on the RF134 form in the "reason for application" section. This creates an official record that the original VRC is compromised.
A stolen VRC could be used to fraudulently sell or transfer your vehicle. Keep your insurance company informed and check motortax.ie to ensure no ownership changes have been made without your knowledge.
Important rules
Only the person named on the VRC can apply for a replacement. No one else — not a family member, dealer, or mechanic — can request one on your behalf.
The new VRC is posted to the address on your vehicle record. If you have moved, update your address with the Department of Transport before applying, or the VRC will go to your old address.
If the car was recently imported and you never received a VRC after VRT registration, contact the Vehicle Registration Unit in Shannon directly rather than using the RF134 process.
The fee must be paid at the time of application. No fee is charged if the original VRC was never received within 30 working days of first issue.
Track this with odo.ie — free, 3 vehicles, no card
Keep a digital copy of your VRC details in odo.ie — registration number, VIN, make, model, year, colour, and engine size. If the physical cert is lost, you still have all the information you need to complete the RF134 form and prove ownership. odo.ie also tracks your motor tax, NCT, and insurance dates.