Registering LHD vehicles in the UK

This a very simple process, well, as simple as the DVLA can possibly be. If you've ever had to deal with them, you'll understand that simplicity can be overshadowed by jobsworths.

A vehicle that is permanently imported for use in Great Britain (GB) must be registered and taxed as soon as possible after it arrives in the country. The vehicle should not be used or kept on public roads until the registration and vehicle tax formalities have been completed.

However, if the vehicle needs to have a single vehicle approval (SVA) or MOT test in order to be registered, the vehicle may be driven to and from the pre-arranged test appointment. Thereafter, the vehicle must be kept off the road until the registration formalities have taken place.

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.

Registering the vehicle as 'new'

A 'brand new' vehicle can be driven to GB and registered as 'new' provided the vehicle:

UK law requires a vehicle to be UK taxed and registered for road use. To avoid difficulties, importers are advised to transport, rather than drive their vehicles from the port to home or first destination and to keep them off the road until they have been properly licensed and registered.

For most new vehicles you must present evidence of type approval from the supplier or vehicle manufacturer, usually in the form of a certificate of conformity. Left-hand-drive vehicles from within the European Community (EC) will need a certificate issued by Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) under the Mutual Recognition Scheme. This will show that the required changes to the vehicle to make it suitable for use on UK roads have been made.

If the vehicle has not been subject to European type approval (intended for sale in a country outside of the European Union) it must pass a SVA test.

Registering a previously used vehicle

As part of the registration process, 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.

Cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles first registered in another European member State will need to 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.

Cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles first registered in a country outside of the European Union will need to pass the SVA test.

Vehicle registration

The following documents will need to be submitted to the DVLA local office, photocopies are not acceptable.

Please make cheques, postal orders payable to DVLA Swansea or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Registration and licensing will not take place unless you have the necessary documentation. In some cases the DVLA local office may wish to see the vehicle to check its identity.

Source: DVLA