Registering an Imported Classic Car

[mph]

I'm about to register my 1958 car which was imported into the UK some years ago. I have the import document which is pre-NOVA but correctly identifies the car and carries a Customs reference.

I've started completing the form for first registration (V55/5) which gives little or no guidance for historic vehicles, although they are quite obviously exempt from many of the requirements on the form.

I'll get over that, but the main issue is what documents to submit with the form ? Obviously I'll be sending the import document, but the checklist for other required documents doesn't ask for any other documentation relating to the cars age. No mention of a Heritage certificate or verification from an owners club.

I've talked to people who have registered classic cars some time ago and they had to provide both of the above.

In summary - If I follow the specific requirements on the form there is no need for me to enclose a dating certificate (Heritage certificate) or a letter from the owners club.

I'd appreciate advice from anyone who has gone through this process recently.

Note. An alternative method of registering classic vehicles (adopted by several motorcycle owners I know) is to ignore the fact that the vehicle was imported and just submit a dating certificate from the owners club. This would seem to be a bit of a loophole. Not that I'm intending to go down this route.

[healeyneil]

Do you have a registration document from the country you imported it from ? That seems to be a requirement, and in English.

[smokey mow]

I’ve recently imported a classic motorcycle from Italy so am going through a similar process. This is the list of documents that I have been advised that I would need:

This is what you need to send to First Registration Team, DVLA, SWANSEA, SA99 1BE.
1. Overseas registration document OR manufacturer’s dating letter OR club dating certificate
2. Completed V55/5
3. Photos of complete vehicle, frame number & engine number
4. MoT certificate or V112 MoT Exemption form
5. The first registration fee (currently £55)
6. Proof of personal ID (eg: driving licence, utility bill—a photocopy is acceptable)
7. HMRC NOVA acknowledgement (only if vehicle is subject to NOVA).

[mph]

smokey mow said:

I’ve recently imported a classic motorcycle from Italy so am going through a similar process. This is the list of documents that I have been advised that I would need: .....

Where did you get this advice ? I couldn't see anything on the form or the extensive notes that accompany it.

Edited by mph on Thursday 9th July 08:35

[mph]

healeyneil said:

Do you have a registration document from the country you imported it from ? That seems to be a requirement, and in English.

I didn't import it, it was imported several owners ago ! I don't have a registration document from the country it was registered in, but this doesn't appear to be a requirement on the form. It's an option - to be included if available.

[smokey mow]

mph said:

smokey mow said:

I’ve recently imported a classic motorcycle from Italy so am going through a similar process. This is the list of documents that I have been advised that I would need: .....

Where did you get this advice ? I couldn't see anything on the form or the extensive notes that accompany it.

This was from my motorcycle club

http://www.autocycle.org.uk/age-related.pdf

[mph]

smokey mow said:

This was from my motorcycle club

http://www.autocycle.org.uk/age-related.pdf

Thanks that's very helpful.

[Lily the Pink]

For what it's worth, I was told some time ago by the DVLA that a Heritage Certificate carries no weight with them. This was in the context of wanting to recover a registration number which was stated on the Heritage Certificate; other considerations might apply in your case.

[healeyfan]

I've just done this. PM me if you want to discuss it.

[mph]

healeyfan said:

I've just done this. PM me if you want to discuss it.

PM sent

[mph]

I now believe in miracles.

I received a V5 in the post less than four weeks after submitting my paperwork.

Thanks to those who offered advice, it was all very helpful.

My own observations - the V55/5 form isn't fit for purpose for historic vehicles and the DVLA don't give any information regarding the actual paperwork required.

[1602Mark]

mph said:

I now believe in miracles.

I received a V5 in the post less than four weeks after submitting my paperwork.

Thanks to those who offered advice, it was all very helpful.

My own observations - the V55/5 form isn't fit for purpose for historic vehicles and the DVLA don't give any information regarding the actual paperwork required.

I imported a 1972 BMW 1602 and every time I called the DVLA I would get someone with varying lack of knowledge. Especially when concerning whether I needed to get an MOT or not?

[healeyneil]

Well done !

[Spydaman]

mph said:

My own observations - the V55/5 form isn't fit for purpose for historic vehicles and the DVLA don't give any information regarding the actual paperwork required.

I'll be registering a 1965 VW Karmann Ghia Razoredge which is on its way from South Africa. If the V55/5 form isn't fit for purpose, what is? How did you do it?

[mph]

Spydaman said:

I'll be registering a 1965 VW Karmann Ghia Razoredge which is on its way from South Africa. If the V55/5 form isn't fit for purpose, what is? How did you do it?

You have to use the V55/5 form but much of it isn't applicable to historic vehicles.The accompanying notes on how to complete the form don't give any guidance on which sections you can ignore (for historic vehicles) and I found it rather confusing. That's what I meant by not fit for purpose.

The DVLA list the documents that you need to submit with the form. This list is completely useless for historic vehicles and if you only submitted those that they state you would almost certainly have your paperwork returned. I couldn't find any other guidance from the DVLA on what is required for registering an historic vehicle and I was advised by others who had already done it before.

Here is what I submitted.

V55/5
Import Certificate
Insurance Certificate
MOT certificate (not clear if this is required but as mine was tested I sent it anyway)
Passport Copy
Utility bill
Heritage Certificate
Cheque for first registration fee (£55)
Picture of chassis plate
Picture of engine number
Picture of vehicle (side view)
Picture of vehicle (front view)

Many of the questions on the V55/5 are only applicable to modern cars. On advice from others I also ignored the questions on kerb weight etc. even though I could have found it out.

Good luck with it all and pm me if you need anything further.

[Spydaman]

Thanks for the very informative reply. On the DVLA site it says I have to inform HMRC before can register it. Did you do this? I didn't think VAT was applicable on historic vehicles.

[mph]

Spydaman said:

Thanks for the very informative reply. On the DVLA site it says I have to inform HMRC before can register it. Did you do this? I didn't think VAT was applicable on historic vehicles.

My car had been imported by a previous owner many years ago but never registered. I had the original import certificate stamped by HMRC but didn't contact them again before applying to the DVLA.

You will have to advise HMRC when your vehicle is landed in the UK but that doesn't mean you'll have to pay any taxes. As I wasn't the one who imported the vehicle I'm not up to speed on that side of things.

Hope this helps.

.

[1602Mark]

I didn't submit an MOT as it's exempt but if you have one, or can easily obtain one, it's not going to hurt including it with your application.

My car came from Greece so there was no Greek V5 to send, as they retain all the papers and the plate.

[chrislemess]

This is very helpful, thank you. Do you need an insurance cert in order to do this all, and if so how? Do you insure just off the chassis number? Should all insurance companies be able to do this? Thanks!

mph said:

You have to use the V55/5 form but much of it isn't applicable to historic vehicles.The accompanying notes on how to complete the form don't give any guidance on which sections you can ignore (for historic vehicles) and I found it rather confusing. That's what I meant by not fit for purpose.

The DVLA list the documents that you need to submit with the form. This list is completely useless for historic vehicles and if you only submitted those that they state you would almost certainly have your paperwork returned. I couldn't find any other guidance from the DVLA on what is required for registering an historic vehicle and I was advised by others who had already done it before.

Here is what I submitted.

V55/5
Import Certificate
Insurance Certificate
MOT certificate (not clear if this is required but as mine was tested I sent it anyway)
Passport Copy
Utility bill
Heritage Certificate
Cheque for first registration fee (£55)
Picture of chassis plate
Picture of engine number
Picture of vehicle (side view)
Picture of vehicle (front view)

Many of the questions on the V55/5 are only applicable to modern cars. On advice from others I also ignored the questions on kerb weight etc. even though I could have found it out.

Good luck with it all and pm me if you need anything further.

[GoodOlBoy]

chrislemess said:

This is very helpful, thank you. Do you need an insurance cert in order to do this all, and if so how? Do you insure just off the chassis number? Should all insurance companies be able to do this? Thanks!

I'm not certain whether you need an insurance certificate, it was a while ago when I went through the same process.

You will be able to get the car insured off the chassis number and then advise your insurers when you are issued a registration number.

Edited by GoodOlBoy on Monday 1st August 23:37