Do I have to notify the DVLA?

[Phone_Monkey]

Am going to be changing the fairings on my motorbike from the red/black it is currently adorned with, to a livelier blue. However, it may only be temporary, but I am tempted to keep the old fairings to swap them around every now and then. Would I have to notify the DVLA of the colour change, as I am undecided on which may be on there for longer periods.
Any assistance greatly appreciated.

[Dwight VanDriver]

If the colour of the vehicle mentioned in V5 is changed then the following applies:

The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002

16. - (1) Where any alteration is made to a vehicle so as to make any of the particulars set out in the registration document incorrect, the registered keeper shall deliver to the Secretary of State -

(a) notification of the alteration;

(b) except where the registration document is lost, stolen or destroyed, the registration document.

(3) The Secretary of State may require the registered keeper to furnish such evidence as he may reasonably require to show that the alteration has taken place.

(4) On receiving notification under this regulation the Secretary of State shall, if he is satisfied that the vehicle has been altered in the way notified to him, -

(a) record the alteration in the register;

(b) send to the registered keeper a new registration document showing the correct particulars

15. - (1) Before issuing a new registration document in respect of a vehicle under any provision of these Regulations, the Secretary of State may require the keeper of the vehicle to satisfy him by the production of the vehicle or other sufficient evidence that the vehicle -

(a) accords with the particulars furnished when a vehicle or nil licence was last applied for in respect of it; or

(b) is the registered vehicle.

Being stopped an old Plod would tell you to get it sorted, a new keen one, one for the book. Whether CPS would authorise prosecution who knows and maybe persuaded otherwise by believeable verbals?

dvd

Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Saturday 17th November 08:05

[Loaf]

Give 'em a ring and tell the bint on the end of the phone the score - she'll soon tell you whether you have to tell them officially or not.

FWIW the DVLA site says you have to notify them if you make any alterations to your vehicle, but helpfully fails to describe what comes under the heading of 'alterations'...

[AndyRw]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Being stopped an old Plod would tell you to get it sorted, a new keen one, one for the book. Whether CPS would authorise prosecution who knows and maybe persuaded otherwise by believeable verbals?

The DVLA have been good enough to give Plod a form to notify them of errors on the vehicle registration or driver details - a V79. There is also an advice sheet to give to the driver. An officer completing the V79 does not excuse the driver/keeper updating DVLA themselves, and it is then up to DVLA whether they want to prosecute if they do not receive the relevant update that the V79 has notified them they should expect. I cannot imagine an officer spending their time completing a file for prosecution on this, nor the summons unit authorising it.

[Hooli]

i got stop checked (sort of*) in a bright orange landrover registered as white once, it wasnt mentioned at all & i heard the report come back over his radio as 'white' so i suspect its not really an issue plod normally bother with.

• - i was broken down halfway up a byway through a SSSI which plod were known to watch for 'off-piste' driving/riding. plod wondered down because in his words 'we saw you go in but you never appeared at the other end.' figures really as id snapped the rear prop & bent the rear suspension arms well out of shape.

[flyinyam]

I did this with my R1 (3 sets 0f plastics)
Always left tank silver as per logbook, never any trouble even tho pulled twice to be given advice on my riding !!!!

Mentioned by one officer but gave him short shrift explaining fixed part of bodywork (tank) was still silver, rest was similar to changing colour of bumpers on a car.. Told him if he thought it would warrant a court appearence, i'd be happy to attend.

You could always tell them how relieved you are that all the burglars, drug dealers and muggers are locked up, and accept your guilt as bein the next most heinous villain!!

Believe they respond well to that, as so few have ever heard it!!!!

Fy

[Balmoral Green]

Change it to 'Multicoloured' like the Polo Harlequin, job done forevermore.

[jondude]

With you reasons for doing so, I don't think you need worry about the DVLA or police getting angry - only that should your bike ever get stolen, they will being looking for the wrong coloured bike.

In reality, this will only matter if there are eagle eyed coppers looking for your bike seconds after it was stolen.

Sadly, I don't think motorcyle theft is given much time or resources.

If you want to be all up-to-date and dandy, tell the DVLA and your insurers ( beware the latter charging you 25 quid or so admin fee for a 1p letter to confirm the change ).

You or the first owner have already been taxed 28 pounds ( may even be 35-40 pounds now ) by the DVLA to cover all paperwork fees on the bike, so you can get documents changed as much as you want and as oftena s you want.

[Phone_Monkey]

Cheers for the replies fellas. Was going to leave the tank as is, but get a blue tank cover (cos it would look pretty), so am probably best off declaring it. might see if they will let me register it as blue/red/black and then can stick the old fairing on when I feel like it.