How to Register an Imported Vehicle With the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

A vehicle that has been imported for use in the UK must be registered and taxed as soon as it arrives in the country. The vehicle should not be used or kept on public roads until the registration and vehicle tax processes are complete.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Registering Your Vehicle as New.

1. A brand new vehicle can be driven to the UK and registered as 'new' provided the vehicle is registered in GB quickly after collection, has only reasonable delivery mileage and has not previously been permanently registered.
2. For most new vehicles, you must provide evidence of type approval from the supplier or vehicle manufacturer, usually in the form of a certificate of conformity.
3. Left-hand-drive vehicles from within the European Community (EC) will need a certificate issued by Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). This will show that the required changes to the vehicle to make it suitable for use on UK roads have been made.
4. If your vehicle has undergone European Type Approval it must pass a SVA test.

Registering Your Vehicle as New.

5. As part of the registration process, the DVLA will need to be sure that an imported used vehicle, that is less than 10 years old meets both European Type Approval standards and UK Construction and Use and Road Vehicle Lighting legislation.
6. Cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles first registered in another European member state must have a certificate issued by VCA under the Mutual Recognition Scheme. Larger goods vehicles will need full UK Type Approval before they can be registered.
7. Cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles first registered in a country outside of the European Union must pass the SVA test.

Tips & Warnings

• Application for registration should be made to your nearest Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) local office. It is not possible to offer an "over the counter" service. Registration usually takes between 48 to 72 hours.
• You must submit the following documents to the DVLA local office along with a completed application form and registeration fee: a current British certificate of insurance; foreign registration documents; evidence showing the date the vehicle was collected; evidence of type approval; the appropriate HM Revenue and Customs form HM Revenue and Customs forms required to register an imported vehicle; current British MOT test certificate; and a declaration of newness.
• If your vehicle must have a single vehicle approval (SVA) or MOT test before being registered, the vehicle may be driven to and from the pre-arranged test appointment. This is the only time when the vehicle may be driven until the registration process has been completed.
• To avoid difficulties, importers of new vehicles are advised to transport, rather than drive, their vehicles from the port to their destination. Keep them off the road until they have been properly licensed and registered.