Driving a freshly imported car to its first MOT
Discussion
This is more a question for confirming my own understanding of things, as I was having a discussion with a mate who's thinking about buying a Japanese import and it came up.
If you have imported a car old enough not to be subject to having an IVA, then it's just a normal MOT you need as a prerequisite for getting it registered, so is there any reason you are not able to simply drive the car to the MOT?
If you insure the car using its chassis number with an insurer who does such things, you are then ok to drive the car straight from the boat to the MOT station, even though it doesn't have plates on it yet (because it's not registered), correct?
I'm sure this has come up previously and the above was true, but I wouldn't mind knowing if that's the case, and where it's defined that it is.
And yes, I'm sure it's also a good potential conversation starter with any police you encounter on the way from the port to the MOT station!
If you have imported a car old enough not to be subject to having an IVA, then it's just a normal MOT you need as a prerequisite for getting it registered, so is there any reason you are not able to simply drive the car to the MOT?
If you insure the car using its chassis number with an insurer who does such things, you are then ok to drive the car straight from the boat to the MOT station, even though it doesn't have plates on it yet (because it's not registered), correct?
I'm sure this has come up previously and the above was true, but I wouldn't mind knowing if that's the case, and where it's defined that it is.
And yes, I'm sure it's also a good potential conversation starter with any police you encounter on the way from the port to the MOT station!
You can drive it to a pre-arranged MOT, or drive it home (see below).
Motor Vehicles Tests Regulations 1981 said:
Section 6
..<snip>..
2. Pursuant to section 44(6) the Secretary of State hereby exempts from section 44(1) the use of a vehicle—
..<snip>..
(c) where the vehicle has been imported into Great Britain, for the purpose of its being driven after arrival in Great Britain on the journey from the place where it has arrived in Great Britain to a place of residence of the owner or driver of the vehicle;
..<snip>..
2. Pursuant to section 44(6) the Secretary of State hereby exempts from section 44(1) the use of a vehicle—
..<snip>..
(c) where the vehicle has been imported into Great Britain, for the purpose of its being driven after arrival in Great Britain on the journey from the place where it has arrived in Great Britain to a place of residence of the owner or driver of the vehicle;
Edited by SS2. on Saturday 7th December 07:32
Great, thanks, that looks like what I was after!
Looks like some of the references aren't quite aligned with the current version of the road traffic act, but I can see how they relate to the historical copy and follow the flowdown of it all. Guessing that's tidied up in amendments since then?
So yes, he could drive it off the boat and back home, subject to insurance and it being roadworthy etc, obviously.
Think I'd probably have a printed copy of the relevant parts of the acts in my pocket if I were doing so, though, in case of there being a need for a roadside debate on the subject!
Looks like some of the references aren't quite aligned with the current version of the road traffic act, but I can see how they relate to the historical copy and follow the flowdown of it all. Guessing that's tidied up in amendments since then?
So yes, he could drive it off the boat and back home, subject to insurance and it being roadworthy etc, obviously.
Think I'd probably have a printed copy of the relevant parts of the acts in my pocket if I were doing so, though, in case of there being a need for a roadside debate on the subject!
InitialDave said:
If you insure the car using its chassis number with an insurer who does such things, you are then ok to drive the car straight from the boat to the MOT station, even though it doesn't have plates on it yet (because it's not registered), correct?
My understanding is yes, you could.I bought a motorbike from Italy, got it delivered by van to home.
I had to sort out the NOVA paperwork (number one priority appeared to be whether any VAT was due!) but got it insured on frame no. and rode it to the MOT station on it's Italian plate.
I believe that I could have ridden it without a plate if it didn't have one but surely would be asking for a tug if seen by the law? (unlikely as the MOT station is only 5 miles of mainly country lanes away).
Once it was passed, I sent off the MOT certificate, the (Italian) registration document and the DVLA fee and was issued an age related plate with updated (no. plate) MOT certificate within a week.
I was quite impressed at how smoothly it went.
November 2025 (after my importer misled me, I went on a wild goose chase for insurance and MOT stations messed me about)
0 First phone around for an MOT station that will MOT an imported car without UK registration (it's in more work for them and most can't be arsed.)
1 Haulage to a brand specialist garage to make foreign things UK legal e.g. lights.
2 Garage drive car to MOT station. STRAIGHT THERE (via whatever route needed on Shell V-Power to heat/clean engine/clean DPF/get through emissions)
3 You show MOT station the export certificate, they check the car's VIN matches the certificate and they make a new entry in the system - If they need help they should call 0300 123 9000 and DVSA will talk them through it.
4 You take the paper MOT, your garage takes your car and you pay them to service it in return for them keeping it off the road until licensed.
5 You re-read V355/5 and fill out V55/5, attach the export certificate and its translation, the paper MOT (because DVLA can't be arsed to push buttons either), a cheque for the registration fee AND a separate cheque for the tax (6/12 months up to you). You choose on the V55/5 when you want the tax to start (I will say the 2nd of next month - see 6 below)
6 You cross your fingers DVLA are not grumpy and issue you with a V5 in time for you to get your insurance in place and showing on their system before the tax comes into effect.
Only on the 3rd of the month, and after their system shows the car is taxed, is it safe for you to drive or leave it on the public road because on the 2nd a clamper will get authorisation to do you and you won't get off.
In my limited experience of doing this once, insurers are b
ds, importers wash their hands of you out of the docks, MOT men are not button pushers, DVSA couldn't give a flying, and DVLA assume you are trying to pull a fast one.
I am writing because I am still trying to get past 2 because no MOT station can be arsed to push more buttons.
One said he's not doing it because I should take it to VOSA station for an IVA - I looked at the DVSA website and it says cars over 10 years old are exempt - these MOT stations simply don't know and don't want to admit it/make effort.
DVSA say it is simple. I just assumed these people can do their jobs - silly me.
And in case you didn't know every insurance company keeps every quote EVERY QUOTE you ever start to fill out even if they pretend they delete them.
0 First phone around for an MOT station that will MOT an imported car without UK registration (it's in more work for them and most can't be arsed.)
1 Haulage to a brand specialist garage to make foreign things UK legal e.g. lights.
2 Garage drive car to MOT station. STRAIGHT THERE (via whatever route needed on Shell V-Power to heat/clean engine/clean DPF/get through emissions)
3 You show MOT station the export certificate, they check the car's VIN matches the certificate and they make a new entry in the system - If they need help they should call 0300 123 9000 and DVSA will talk them through it.
4 You take the paper MOT, your garage takes your car and you pay them to service it in return for them keeping it off the road until licensed.
5 You re-read V355/5 and fill out V55/5, attach the export certificate and its translation, the paper MOT (because DVLA can't be arsed to push buttons either), a cheque for the registration fee AND a separate cheque for the tax (6/12 months up to you). You choose on the V55/5 when you want the tax to start (I will say the 2nd of next month - see 6 below)
6 You cross your fingers DVLA are not grumpy and issue you with a V5 in time for you to get your insurance in place and showing on their system before the tax comes into effect.
Only on the 3rd of the month, and after their system shows the car is taxed, is it safe for you to drive or leave it on the public road because on the 2nd a clamper will get authorisation to do you and you won't get off.
In my limited experience of doing this once, insurers are b
ds, importers wash their hands of you out of the docks, MOT men are not button pushers, DVSA couldn't give a flying, and DVLA assume you are trying to pull a fast one. I am writing because I am still trying to get past 2 because no MOT station can be arsed to push more buttons.
One said he's not doing it because I should take it to VOSA station for an IVA - I looked at the DVSA website and it says cars over 10 years old are exempt - these MOT stations simply don't know and don't want to admit it/make effort.
DVSA say it is simple. I just assumed these people can do their jobs - silly me.
And in case you didn't know every insurance company keeps every quote EVERY QUOTE you ever start to fill out even if they pretend they delete them.
For the record, my mate in the OP ended up having the car taken home on a flatbed as he had an associate who could fit that in for him, and then he slapped a rear foglight on it and took it for an MOT sans-plates, insured off the chassis number, which it successfully passed
No issues at any stage,
This is not to deny the reality of what robi4387 is having to deal with. Some people are absolutely useless at what is nominally their specialised job role.
No issues at any stage,
This is not to deny the reality of what robi4387 is having to deal with. Some people are absolutely useless at what is nominally their specialised job role.
paul_c123 said:
I am sure there is a law which says you can't drive a car on UK roads unless it is registered (and then there is also a requirement to display number plates). There is an exemption for trade plates. I am not sure there is any other exemption which would allow it.
Wrong. Once again someone makes up a law on here without even a basic google…Section 42 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act. See exemptions.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/22/secti...
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