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INF106

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How to import

yourvehicle into

Great Britain

For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk/importingacar

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Please read this booklet or advice on what orms you

will need to ll in.

I you have asked or an import pack it will include the

ollowing orms.n Application or a rst tax disc and registration o a new

motor vehicle (V55/4)

n Application or a rst tax disc and registration o aused motor vehicle (V55/5)

n Declaration that a vehicle is new (V267)

n Motor Vehicles Brought into the United Kingdom romwithin the European Community (VAT414)

n New Means o Transport: Notication o Acquisition(VAT415)

It will also include the ollowing leafets.

n Guide to lling in orm V55/4 (V355/4)

n Guide to lling in orm V55/5 (V355/5)

n Rates o Vehicle Tax (V149)

I any o the orms or leafets listed above are missing, you

can download them rom

www.direct.gov.uk/motoringorms and

www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleafets

The V55/4, V55/5, V355/4 and V355/5 are only available

rom DVLA Customer Enquiries. You can get copies byphoning 0300 790 6802, or by visiting your nearest DVLA

local oce.

You can get an import pack rom

www.direct.gov.uk/motoringorms or rom

DVLA Customer Enquiries by phoning 0300 790 6802.

The Department or Transport produces other leafetson importing vehicles. You can get these rom their

website at www.dt.gov.uk

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1 Introduction

What you need to do depends on how you are bringing the

vehicle into the country and i it is a new or used vehicle.

I you are going to use a vehicle on the public road

it must be registered, taxed and insured. To avoid

diculties, we advise you to:

n transport, rather than drive, your vehicle rom the portto your home or its rst destination, and

n keep the vehicle o the road until it has been properly

registered, taxed and insured.

2 How to register a new vehicle

you have imported

A vehicle can only be registered as new in Great Britain

(GB) i it:

n is registered in GB within 14 days o the date you collectedit (normally the date o the invoice rom the supplier)

n has the minimum mileage needed to deliver it

n has not been permanently registered beore, and

n is a current model or a model that has stopped beingmade within the last two years.

To register a new vehicle, you will need to take or send

the ollowing to your nearest DVLA local oce.

n A lled-in V55/4 application orm (the V355/4 leafetwill help you ll in this orm).

n The rst registration ee o 55 (see section 9).

n The ee or the tax disc (see leafet V149).

Note: From April 2010, any vehicle rst being registered in

the petrol-car, diesel-car or alternative-uel car tax classes

will have a dierent rate o vehicle tax or the rst tax

disc. These are known as First Year Rates. Full details are

available at www.direct.gov.uk/rstyearrates

n A current GB certicate o motor insurance (this must

be valid when the tax disc will start). Downloaded oraxed copies o downloaded insurance certicates willbe accepted.

(You will need to insure the vehicle using the VehicleIdentication Number (VIN) or chassis number. The BritishInsurance Brokers Association (BIBA) will be able to giveyou inormation on insurance companies that provide the

cover you need. You can phone them on 0870 950 1790or send an email to enquiries@biba.org.uk).

n A lled-in orm V267.

n Evidence showing the date you collected the vehicle(normally the date o the invoice rom the supplier), andhow the vehicle was brought into the country (either thetemporary registration orm, i the vehicle was driven, or

evidence o transportation, i it was transported).

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n Original documents conrming your name and address

(see section 6).

n Evidence o Type Approval (see section 7).

n

The appropriate HM Revenue & Customs orm (seesection 8).

Independent, commercial importers o newvehicles

I you are:

n an independent, commercial importer o new, unused,

unregistered type-approved vehiclesn registered or VAT, and

n currently using the V55/4 system to register those vehicles.

You can apply to join the V55/2 scheme (see below).

This scheme is designed to help small businesses which

regularly import new vehicles.

The V55/2 scheme

An Application or a rst tax disc and registration o a

new imported vehicle (V55/2) is available or authorised,

VAT-registered commercial traders. Its advantage over the

V55/4 orm is that you do not need to provide separate

evidence o newness, evidence o Type Approval, or HM

Revenue & Customs orms.To get a V55/2 application pack, send your details in

writing to:

Policy and External Communications Directorate

Zone 1

DVLA

SA6 7JL.

Fax: 01792 384565

Email: vehpol.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

3 How to register a used vehicle

you have imported

To register a used vehicle, you will need to take or sendthe ollowing to your nearest DVLA local oce.

n A lled-in V55/5 application orm (the V355/5 leafet

will help you ll in this orm).

n The rst registration ee o 55 (see section 9).

n The ee or the tax disc (see leafet V149).

Note: From April 2010, any vehicle rst being registered in

the petrol-car, diesel-car or alternative-uel car tax classes

will have a dierent rate o vehicle tax or the rst tax

disc. These are known as First Year Rates. Used imported

vehicles will pay the First Year Rates i the vehicle has been

registered abroad or less than six months or has travelled

less than 6,000km (3728 miles). Full details on First YearRates are available at www.direct.gov.uk/rstyearrates.

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n A current GB certicate o motor insurance (this mustbe valid when the tax disc will start).

(You will need to insure the vehicle using the VehicleIdentication Number (VIN) or chassis number. The BritishInsurance Brokers Association (BIBA) will be able to giveyou inormation on insurance companies that provide thecover you need. You can phone them on 0870 950 1790or send an email to enquiries@biba.org.uk)

n A current GB MoT or Goods Vehicle Test (GVT)certicate (i appropriate).

(For any inormation on MoT or GVT testing, phoneVehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on0300 123 9000).

n A non-GB registration document or certicate or yourvehicle and any other papers you have relating to thevehicle, or a dating certicate rom the manuactureror other acceptable source.

n Original documents conrming your name and address(see section 6).

n Evidence o Type Approval (see section 7).

n The appropriate HM Revenue & Customs orm (seesection 8).

All certicates and cover notes must be originals, and not

photocopies. However, downloaded or axed copies odownloaded insurance certicates will be accepted.

4 Where to take or send your

application

You can nd the address o your nearest DVLA local oce:n on the website at www.direct.gov.uk/dvlalocal or

n by phoning 0300 123 1277 (you will be asked to giveyour postcode).

DVLA local oces are open between 9am and 5pm

Monday to Friday (9.30am to 5pm on the second

Wednesday o each month). Import applications cannotbe dealt with over the counter at DVLA local oces. Even

i you take your documents to the oce, it will still take

several days to process your application.

5 What happens next

Your vehicle may need to be inspected.

I your application is approved, the local oce will do the

ollowing.

n Give your vehicle a vehicle registration numberappropriate to its age. I you cannot provide evidence othe vehicles age, we will give it a Q registration number.

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n Issue a tax disc and a Number plate authorisation certicate(V948) to allow you to get number plates made up.

n Return your documents. (I you would like yourdocuments returned by special delivery pleaseprovide a prepaid special delivery envelope. However,we cannot guarantee to return your documents by aspecic date or event or example, a holiday.)

n Send you a Registration Certicate (V5C) showing youas the registered keeper. We will send this within ourto six weeks o receiving your application. I you do

not receive this, please phone 0300 790 6802.Please note: i you do not receive your documents back

you must contact the DVLA local oce within three

months o the date you made your application, otherwise

they will not be able to carry out an investigation with the

local oce or the Post Oce.

6 Proo o name and address

You must provide either your DVLA photocard driving licence

and paper counterpart, or one original document rom each

o the two lists below (we do not accept photocopies).

Document to conrm your name

n Current DVLA driving licence

n UK or EU passport

n Birth certicate

n Marriage certicate

n Decree nisi or decree absolute

Document to conrm your addressn Gas, electricity, water or landline phone bill issued

within the last three months

n Council tax bill or the current year

n Bank or building society statement issued within thelast three months

n

Medical card

Applications rom businesses andcompanies (including feet operators)

You will have to provide two documents rom the ollowing

list. One o the documents must show your current

business address.

(The only evidence we accept on its own is a

trade-plate licence issued by us, or a trade-plate

licence number. This only applies when you are

applying in person at a DVLA local oce.)

n Companies House registration certicate (embossed)

n VAT registration certicate

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n A gas, electricity, water or landline phone bill sent toyour business in the last three months

n A national non-domestic rate bill

n A bank or building society statement or your business(this must have been issued in the last three months)

n A certicate o company insurance

n A letter rom HM Revenue & Customs showing yourcompany details and tax reerence number

n Your company mortgage statement

n A property leasing agreement

n A solicitors letter relating to you buying the propertyyour business is run rom

n A consumer credit licence

Please take the relevant documents, with your V55/4 or

V55/5 application, to your DVLA local oce or motor dealer.

I you do not provide the documents we ask or on page 6,

we will not accept your application.

7 What is Type Approval?

We need to know that a vehicle is properly designed and built,

and that it meets environmental standards. This is a legal

requirement beore a vehicle can be registered and taxed. We

call the process o conrming this Type Approval.

You must produce one o the ollowing toprovide evidence o Type Approval.

a A Certicate o Conormity

n The manuacturer should issue a Certicate o

Conormity i the vehicle was bought in an EU MemberState.

n The Certicate o Conormity must state that thespeedometer shows miles per hour (mph) and that thevehicle is suitable or driving on the let-hand side othe road.

n I you do not have a Certicate o Conormity you canget one by contacting the manuacturer. There is a eeor this.

b Mutual Recognition Certicate

I you cannot get a Certicate o Conormity, or it does

not meet the requirements set out above, you might be

entitled to a Mutual Recognition Certicate. I the vehicle

has been type approved in another EU country, the vehicle

could be acceptable in GB under Mutual Recognition. To

nd out i this is the case, phone the Vehicle Certication

Agency (VCA) on 0117 952 4191.

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c Evidence o previous GB or Northern Ireland

registration

This can be either:

n the Registration Certicate (V5C or V5CNI), orn the new keepers details section (V5C/2 or V5C/2NI).

I you cannot provide any o the documents mentioned

above, the vehicle will need an Individual Vehicle Approval

(IVA) certicate.

To nd out more or make an application or the SVA/IVA

test, please phone VOSA on 0300 123 9000.

Type Approval does not apply to certain vehicles. To

nd out more, phone VCA on 0117 952 4119.

8 HM Revenue & Customs

orms you will need

Vehicle imported rom within the EUYou must use one o the ollowing orms.

nVAT 414 you can use this orm i the vehicle isnot classed as a new means o transport (see theexplanation below), or i you are a VAT-registered

motor trader and you bought the vehicle within the EUto sell in Great Britain.

nVAT 415 you can use this orm i you have personallybought a new means o transport vehicle, in the EU,or your own use.

For customs purposes, New means o transport

vehicles are vehicles that come rom within the EU

that are less than six months old and have travelledless than 6000km (3750 miles).

I neither orm is appropriate, phone the

HM Revenue & Customs National Advice Service on

0845 010 9000 and ask them to send you the correct orm.

Vehicle imported rom outside the EU

You must use one o the ollowing orms.

nC&E 386 this orm is issued byHM Revenue & Customs or a vehicle o any agepersonally imported rom outside the EU.

nC&E 388 this orm is issued byHM Revenue & Customs or a customs-restricted vehicle

o any age personally imported rom outside the EU.nC&E 389 this is a sel-declaration orm which should

be used by VAT-registered traders or commercialimports rom outside the EU.

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These orms will show that you have paid, or will pay,

the appropriate taxes. For more detailed advice about

import duties, contact HM Revenue & Customs. The HM

Revenue & Customs National Advice Service handles

general telephone enquiries, please phone 0845 010 9000.

The advice service is open between 8am and 8pm

Monday to Friday. I you are dea or hard o hearing and

have access to a textphone, please phone 0845 000 0200.

The Welsh service is open between 8am and 6pm.

Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk

9 First registration ee

The ee is currently 55 and applies to all vehicles except

or the ollowing.

n Vehicles rst registered and taxed in the Disabled taxclass

n Historic vehicles previously registered with the oldlocal authorities (late conversions)

n Imported vehicles previously registered in the UKunder the Personal Export Scheme and New Meanso Transport Scheme

n Visiting orces vehicles

n Crown Exempt Vehicles

n Vehicles registered under the Direct Export Scheme

n Vehicles registered on the O Road Scheme

10 GB driving licences

There are the ollowing minimum age requirements ordriving in Great Britain.

n 17 or cars and motorcycles

n 18 or vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg with atrailer up to 750kg (i the combined weight is over7500kg you must be 21 years or over)

n 21 or large lorries and buses

An ordinary licence is one which entitles you to drive cars,

motorcycles, and small vehicles (those weighing up to

3500kg and having no more than eight passenger seats).

A vocational licence is one that entitles you to drive

minibuses, buses and medium-size large vehicles weighing

over 3500kg and able to tow a trailer over 750kg.

These licences can be provisional or ull. A provisional

licence shows vehicles which you can drive only as a

learner. A ull licence shows which vehicles you have

passed a driving test or.

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Driving in Great Britain as a new resident

I you have a valid European Community (EC) or European

Economic Area (EEA) licence, this will authorise you to

drive in this country or the periods set out below.

Ordinary licences

n Until you are 70 or have lived in Great Britain or threeyears, whichever is longer.

Vocational licences

n I you are younger than 45, until you are 45 or havelived in Great Britain or ve years, whichever is longer

n I you are over 45 (but under 65), until you are 66 orhave lived in Great Britain or ve years, whichever isshorter

n I you are aged 65 or over, until you have lived in GreatBritain or 12 months.

When these periods have run out you must get a GB

driving licence to continue driving in Great Britain.

Register o EC and EEA licence holders

By law, i you live in Great Britain and hold an EC or EEA

vocational licence, you must register your details with us. I

you hold an ordinary licence you can register i you want to.To register you need to get an Application or a GB

counterpart licence (D9). You can get this rom

www.direct.gov.uk/motoringorms, your nearest DVLA

local oce (see section 4), or by phoning DVLA Customer

Enquiries on 0300 790 6801.

Reporting health conditions

The Driving Licences (D100) leafet will give you more

inormation about the medical conditions you must tell us

about. You must tell us about:

n health conditions you have recently ound out about,and

n health conditions you have already reported to otherauthorities but have since worsened.

In most cases, our rules will be the same as those in other

EC and EEA countries.

For more inormation on driving in Great Britain as a visitor

or a new resident, go to www.direct.gov.uk/driving or

see Driving in Great Britain (GB) as a visitor or a newresident (INF38) which you can get rom

www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleafets, DVLA local oces

or by phoning DVLA Customer Enquiries on 0300 790 6801.

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For more inormation on driving in Great Britain

go to www.direct.gov.uk/driving or see Driving

Licences (D100) leafet which you can get rom

www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleafets or by phoning DVLA

Customer Enquiries on 0300 790 6801.

11 Further inormation or help

You can get general inormation on registering an

imported vehicle and IVA certicates:

n on the website at www.direct.gov.uk/importingacar

n by writing to Central Capture Unit, Correspondence Team,

DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL, or

n by contacting DVLA Customer Enquiries.Phone: 0300 790 6802Fax: 0300 123 0798

Phone lines are open between 8am and 7pm Monday to

Friday, and between 8am and 2pm on Saturdays. I youare dea or hard o hearing and have a textphone, phone

0300 123 1279. (This number will not respond to ordinary

phones.)

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