Other work areas that are not managed by VCA

The following is a list of some of the work areas that VCA often gets asked about but are either managed by other areas within the Department for Transport, or are otherwise questions that VCA cannot assist with.

If the subject you are interested in is not listed here, then you may wish to search on the GOV.UK website, or alternatively, if this is likely to be an issue that the Department for Transport may be able to answer, complete their enquiry form here: https://forms.dft.gov.uk/contact-dft-and-agencies/

This list of FAQs has been provided to assist enquirers and avoid the delays that occur when requests are sent to VCA by mistake. All information provided here is done so with that aim in mind, although we would refer you to our disclaimer here: https://www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/disclaimer/.

Questions have been separated into different group headings as follows:

• Questions about registering a vehicle
• Questions about importing / exporting a Vehicle
• Questions about driving licenses
• Requests for information about a vehicle that is already in service
• Questions about vehicle safety
• Congestion charges and Low Emission Zones

Questions about registering a vehicle

I’ve applied for a registration document and haven’t received it, how long will it take to arrive?

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The following link will direct you to information about Vehicle registration and V5C certificates, it gives an indication on application processing times and gives details of how you can contact them with queries about your V5 application:  https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla/y/vehicle-registration-and-v5c-certificates-log-books.  As the applicant you will be asked to respond to a series of questions about you and your vehicle.

I’ve lost my retention form for my private number plate and want to sell it.

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The following link will direct you to information about Private (personalised) number plates, including the process to renew or replace your retention documents: https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers/renew-private-number-certificate

How do I get a new or replacement V5 registration document / “Log book”?

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The following link will direct you to information about Vehicle registration and V5C certificates.: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/new-and-used-vehicles  You will be prompted to answer a series of questions about you and your vehicle in order to direct you to the right team to answer your query.

How do I register my vehicle that has been imported and is over 10 years old?

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Vehicles over 10 years of age are exempt from type approval so will not require an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) or MSVA (for motorcycles) inspection and certificate is required.

On the V55/5 application  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/v3555-application-for-first-vehicle-tax-and-registration-of-a-used-motor-vehicle-v555, where it asks about type approval you will need to state ‘exempt’ and put ‘over 10 years old’ as the reason.

How do I register my radically altered; classic; or reconstructed vehicle?

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). However, DVLA may advise that you need to obtain an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) or MSVA (for motorcycles) inspection and certificate.

The Agency responsible for carrying out IVA testing and certification on vehicles that are already in service is the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

How do I register my agricultural vehicle to use on public roads?

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The following link will direct you to information about registering farm vehicles: https://www.gov.uk/register-farm-vehicle

I would like to register my quad bike for use on UK roads

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Guidance on what is required for a quad bike to be registered can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/quad-bikes-the-rules

You can contact DVLA about your application via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla/y/driving-licences-and-applications.I would like to know the details of all the cars I have owned and I need the registration numbers

The Agency responsible for vehicle registrations is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The following link will direct you to information about Vehicle and driver data: https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/vehicle-and-driver-information  As the applicant you will be asked to respond to a series of questions about you and your vehicles.

Questions about importing / exporting a Vehicle

I am importing a vehicle into the UK that is under 10 years of age, that doesn’t have a Certificate of Conformity

You will need to apply to DVSA for an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval for cars and goods vehicles MSVA (Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval for 2, 3 or light 4 wheeled vehicles) or, buses and coaches, trailers and special purpose vehicles), to then register your vehicle.  For information relating to MSVA / IVA testing please visit https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval  or contact the DVSA https://www.gov.uk/contact-dvsa.

DVLA deal with vehicle registration and for more information please view this link:  https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration and you can contact them using this link DVLA https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla if you have any further queries.

For more information on importing a vehicle into the UK see https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

I am exporting vehicle from the UK to another country

There is no UK Government information available. Instead, please contact the Embassy / Consulate of the country to which you intend to export the vehicle.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has produced a number of guides about living in various countries which may be of some help. Visit GOV.UK and in the search box type “living in” followed by the country of interest, e.g. “Living in Spain”.

Questions about driving licenses

I paid and sent off my provisional license application form but have heard nothing back. How long will it be until I get my new provisional license?

The Agency responsible for driving licenses is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

If you made your application on-line then it is possible to track your application using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/track-your-driving-licence-application.  Guidance on the GOV.UK website is that applications sent by post are taking longer than usual to process because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can contact DVLA about your application via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla/y/driving-licences-and-applications .

Requests for information about a vehicle that is already in service

I need to obtain a copy of my vehicle’s Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

Neither VCA, nor any other part of the Department for Transport (DfT) hold copies of CoC’s.  You will need to contact the manufacturer of your vehicle and quote the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (guidance on where to find your VIN can be found in a number of places, including https://www.motorcheck.co.uk/where-can-i-find-my-vin-or-chassis-number/). If the vehicle was intended for use in the European market, they may then be able to issue you with a CoC. Please be aware that there may be a fee for this service.

I need to know the Euro status of my car…

…to apply for an exemption to the London Congestion Charge; or to register my vehicle as a taxi; or for another purpose.

VCA does not hold any information specific to individual vehicles..

You may find that the information you need is on the DVLA online vehicle enquiry tool: https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk. You will need to know the vehicles registration number to use this service.

If you are unable to find the Euro status, then you should contact the manufacturer direct.

How do I find my cars CO2 Emissions?

The CO2 figure should be shown on your V5 registration document.  The following link will also direct you to information about your vehicle. https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/  please enter the vehicles registration number and follow the prompts.

The CO2 emissions figure for cars less than 10 years old will normally be listed.  If you have an older vehicle you will need to contact the manufacturer directly and quote the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (guidance on where to find your VIN can be found in a number of places, including https://www.motorcheck.co.uk/where-can-i-find-my-vin-or-chassis-number/). Please note that the manufacturer may make a charge for this service.

Why is the CO2 figure on my registration document not the same as the car described on various websites?

The CO2 figure that appears on your V5 registration document is the definitive figure for your car that was submitted by the manufacturer to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when it was first registered. This figure will correspond with the data shown on the DVLA online vehicle enquiry facility at https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

The manufacturer data held on the VCA database is provided by the vehicle manufacturer on a voluntary basis.  The data is not vehicle specific and shows the range from the highest to lowest performance of a particular model. The CO2 value therefore will vary within that range.

It is also the case the manufacturers will ‘refresh‘ models at various points during the production cycle which may result in additional emissions testing. When that happens, it is often the case that more than one version of what appears to be the same vehicle – but with different CO2 values is available for sale of lease.

Purchasers are therefore advised to check carefully with their dealer to ensure that they know the CO2 value of the vehicle before they commit to purchase.

What Euro standard applies to my vehicle?

VCA does not hold any information on individual vehicles.  The following link will direct you to information about your vehicle: https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/  please enter the vehicles registration number and follow the prompts.  If the Euro Standard is missing, you will need to contact the Manufacturer directly.

Questions about vehicle safety

I’d like to raise a question about the quality / safety of a vehicle component

Policy Queries are handled by International Vehicle Standards, a division within DfT who make the processes behind creating and setting safety standards for the automotive industry within the UK.  The IVS email address is IVS.ENQUIRIES@dft.gov.uk and they will be able to give guidance on the required standards for vehicle safety, construction and use within the UK.

I want to make a complaint about a safety defect on my vehicle

Safety issues with any vehicle already in-service, i.e. has already been registered with the DVLA, should be reported to our sister agency the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).  Information on this process can be found here https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-recalls-and-faults/report-a-serious-safety-defect

Congestion charges and Low Emission Zones

Is my car exempt from congestion charging? / Does my car qualify as a Low Emission vehicle?

If you have any questions regarding your vehicle and congestion charging, the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone, or driving in London, please contact transport for London direct. https://tfl.gov.uk/.

I want to find out about tax liabilities around the congestion charge

Visit the GOV.UK page “Expenses and benefits: congestion charges”