Translating UK car documents — what needs to be translated and when?

V5C — what it is and why it requires a sworn translation

The V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate, commonly known as the log book) is issued by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) — the UK government agency responsible for vehicle registration. The V5C contains details of the vehicle (make, model, VIN, engine capacity, year of manufacture), details of the registered keeper and ownership history. The Polish vehicle registration office requires a sworn translation of the V5C because it is a foreign official document — a sworn translation confirms that the translation matches the original and is mandatory when registering a UK vehicle in Poland.

What the V5C contains and how to read it in English

The V5C contains the following fields: Registration mark (UK registration number), Date first registered, Make/Model, Colour, Engine capacity, Fuel type (petrol, diesel, electric), VIN/Chassis number, Previous keepers (number of previous owners), Registered keeper's name and address. Full description of the V5C: gov.uk/vehicle-log-book.

Note: the V5C is not a title of ownership — it only confirms registration. The title of ownership is the purchase invoice. For full registration in Poland you need both a sworn translation of the V5C and the purchase invoice.

How to find a sworn English-language translator in Poland

Sworn translators listed on the Polish Ministry of Justice register can be found at the official government portal: gov.pl/web/sprawiedliwosc/tlumacze-przysiegli. The list is searchable by language and region. Search for "język angielski" (English) and your area. You can also commission a translation remotely — translators on this list can operate anywhere in Poland and send translations by post.

A sworn translation of the V5C (typically two to four pages) costs approximately PLN 50–150 per page (rates vary between translators — ask for a quote). Turnaround time: one to five working days, or within a few hours on an express basis.

Which UK car documents require translation — the full list

When registering a vehicle imported from the UK at a Polish vehicle registration office, several documents are required. Some must be sworn translations; others do not need translation at all (e.g. vehicle identity documents containing VIN/registration numbers). Below is the complete list of documents and their translation status. The source is the gov.pl portal — the procedure for registering a vehicle imported from abroad.

Documents requiring a sworn translation

The following documents always require a sworn translation when registering a UK car in Poland:

• V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate) — a sworn translation of the entire document is mandatory
• Purchase invoice — if issued in English, a sworn translation is required
• COC (Certificate of Conformity) — if you have an English-language COC from the manufacturer, a sworn translation is required

Detailed list of documents needed to register a vehicle from abroad: gov.pl/web/gov/zarejestruj-pojazd-sprowadzony-z-zagranicy.

Documents NOT requiring a sworn translation

The following documents generally do not require a full sworn translation:

• Customs clearance certificate — issued by the customs broker after clearance, it is a Polish-language document
• OC insurance policy — a Polish policy requires no translation
• Service history booklet — optional, not required for registration
• MOT certificate (UK technical inspection) — some registration offices may require a translation; verify locally

Note: requirements may vary slightly between registration offices — always verify with your local district authority (starostwo powiatowe) by phone or website. Legal basis: gov.pl — registration of vehicle imported from abroad.

COC — when you need it and whether it needs to be translated

A COC (Certificate of Conformity) confirms that the vehicle met EU type-approval requirements at the time of manufacture. It is required to register the vehicle in Poland without additional individual type approval. Not every UK car comes with a COC — it depends on the manufacturer and year of production.

If you have an English-language COC from the manufacturer, the registration office may require a sworn translation. If you do not have a COC, the vehicle will need to go through individual type approval (this can be arranged by an SKP inspection centre or a technical expert). Details on obtaining a COC: COC for a UK car — how to obtain it and what to do if it is unavailable.

The role of the customs broker — what Easy Clearance does before you reach the registration office

Before you go to the registration office with your translated documents, the UK car must go through customs clearance in Poland. That is the customs broker's job — not the translator's. Easy Clearance files the import declaration in the PUESC system, calculates duty and VAT based on the customs value of the vehicle, and issues the customs documents that go to the registration office together with the translated documents. Without correct customs clearance the registration office will not register the vehicle.

Order of steps — customs clearance and translations in the correct sequence

The correct sequence for importing a UK car to Poland:

1. Buy the car in the UK and receive the V5C + purchase invoice
2. Commission a sworn translation of the V5C and invoice (you can do this in parallel with step 3)
3. Contact Easy Clearance or another customs broker — arrange import clearance of the car in Poland
4. The customs broker files the declaration and issues the customs clearance certificate
5. Go to the registration office with: sworn translations, customs documents, and the technical inspection certificate
6. Register the car and receive Polish plates

Customs clearance for a car import: from £45 to £150. Prices quoted are indicative ranges — exact quote after document review.

What Easy Clearance provides — customs documents for the registration office

After conducting customs clearance, Easy Clearance issues:

• Certificate of duty and VAT payment (or exemption certificate in the case of ToR)
• Acceptance confirmation of the customs declaration from the PUESC/CDS system
• A copy of the SAD customs declaration or CDS equivalent

These documents are in Polish (or in English with a translation provided by the broker) — they do not require an additional sworn translation. Cost of the ToR (Transfer of Residence) service — duty exemption for people relocating from the UK to Poland: from £150 to £400. Prices quoted are indicative ranges — exact quote after document review.

What the current rules say

Registering a UK car in Poland requires sworn translations of the V5C and the purchase invoice by a translator on the Polish Ministry of Justice list. If you have an English-language COC, that also requires a sworn translation. Translations are not done by the customs broker — Easy Clearance handles the customs clearance of the car, which must take place before vehicle registration. Prices quoted are indicative ranges — exact quote after document review.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Does the V5C require a sworn translation to register a UK car in Poland?

Yes. The V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate) must be translated by a sworn English-language translator listed on the Polish Ministry of Justice register. A sworn translation is required by the registration office as a foreign official document.

Where can I find a sworn translator for the V5C?

You can find sworn translators at: gov.pl/web/sprawiedliwosc/tlumacze-przysiegli. Search for English and your region. You can also commission translations online — many sworn translation offices operate remotely and send documents by post.

Does the UK car purchase invoice also need to be translated?

Yes. A purchase invoice issued in English also requires a sworn translation. The V5C and the invoice are the two main documents requiring translation when registering a UK car.

What does a customs broker do compared to a sworn translator?

A customs broker (such as Easy Clearance) handles customs clearance — filing the import declaration in PUESC, calculating and collecting duty and VAT, and issuing customs documents. A sworn translator translates English-language documents (V5C, invoice, COC) into Polish. Both steps are required before registration at the vehicle registration office.

Do you need a COC to register a UK car in Poland?

A COC (Certificate of Conformity) simplifies registration — without it, the vehicle must undergo individual type approval. If you have an English-language COC, a sworn translation is required. More about the COC: see our article on obtaining a COC for a UK car.

Official sources

• GOV.UK — Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C) — GOV.UK
• Gov.pl — Vehicle registration from abroad — required documents — Gov.pl
• Gov.pl — Sworn translators — Ministry of Justice list — Gov.pl
• KAS — Vehicle import — duty and VAT — KAS
• PUESC — customs declarations for vehicle imports — PUESC