Registering an imported car can be a paperwork nightmare including a number of processes you need to follow. However this being said, if you know what you need from the outset it can save a lot of frustration.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Association (DVLA) can provide an Import Pack, which contains all the necessary information you will need to import your vehicle into the UK and get it road ready.
When importing a vehicle there are a number of HMRC forms you will need to complete, depending on the country of origin. These forms are outlined in the import pack and they are necessary to complete the registration process.
The first question to ask is whether your vehicle sits within the new or used category.
In order to contend for ‘new’ vehicle registration the car must meet certain requirements. These include the vehicle having not been registered before, it being a current model or a model that has ceased production within the previous two years and it only having a mileage count from the point of pick up to the point of delivery. There is also a time limit of when a car can be registered as new which is two weeks from the date of collection.
For a new vehicle you must have proof of type approval in the form of a certificate of conformity. This should be obtained from the vehicle supplier or manufacturer. You will also need to complete an application form V55/4 and a ‘declaration of a new vehicle’ form, V267 both available from the DVLA.
If the vehicle is a left-hand-drive from within the European Union or doesn’t have European type approval (known as Grey Imports) then it will need a certificate to indicate it meets the safety and environmental standards for UK roads. This is known as an Individual Vehicle Approval certificate (IVA) and can be issued by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). To take the vehicle to and from this test is the only time you can drive the vehicle on the road before the registration formalities have been complete.
To register a used imported vehicle, that is less than 10 years old, it must meet the following standards: European type approval standards, UK construction and use, and road vehicle lighting laws. Cars previously registered within the EU can obtain these certificates through the VCA, under the Mutual Recognition Scheme. Cars previously registered outside the EU will need an IVA.
If your car sits within the ‘used’ category you’ll need to complete an application form V55/5 from the DVLA and have the foreign registration papers of the vehicle.
Once you have these documents, you then need to purchase imported car insurance and obtain a British certificate of Insurance.
The final step in registering your imported vehicle involves a visit to your local DVLA office with all the applicable above-mentioned certificates and forms in hand. You will also need identification including your name and current UK address, proof of the date you collected the vehicle such as the suppliers invoice along with payment for the registration fee plus any taxes required.
Registering an imported car can be a tricky and confusing process, but if you follow the correct procedure step by step and gather all the appropriate paperwork you will soon walk out of your local DVLA office the proud (and relieved!) owner of a UK registered vehicle.
The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Confused.com. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
