National Vehicle and Driver File

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (384)

Robert Troy

Question:

384. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if there are means available through his Department in which a person could gain proof of the purchase of a vehicle as far back as 1981. [19615/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

My Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) is a record of ‘keepers’ of vehicles, and not legally entitled owners. The records on the NVDF will give the ‘keeper’ of the vehicle, as supplied to the Department at the time. This principle is reflected in Motor Tax Law as responsibility for taxing a vehicle rests with its keeper who on taxing becomes the registered owner of the Vehicle. Normally such records will contain the sale date that the seller and the buyer signed and submitted to the Department.

The database itself was created subsequent to the date under query here. My officials in the Driver Vehicle and Computer Services Division in Shannon, County Clare, who manage the NVDF, may however be contacted by emailing [e-mail] to establish if this information can be ascertained.