Importing a Car to the UK: Logbook and Registration Guide
Importing a car to the UK involves more paperwork than most people expect. Whether you are bringing a vehicle from Europe, the USA, Japan, or anywhere else, you will need to register it with the DVLA, obtain a UK V5C logbook, and ensure the vehicle meets UK road legal requirements. This guide covers the full process from arrival to getting your V5C.
Do You Need to Register an Imported Car?
Yes. Any vehicle being used on UK roads must be registered with the DVLA and display UK number plates. If you are importing a vehicle permanently — rather than temporarily visiting the UK with a foreign-registered car — you must register it within 14 days of arrival.
Driving an unregistered or foreign-registered vehicle on UK roads beyond the permitted temporary use period is a legal offence and can result in the vehicle being seized.
What Is a NOVA Certificate?
NOVA stands for Notification of Vehicle Arrivals. Before you can register an imported vehicle with the DVLA, you must notify HMRC that the vehicle has arrived in the UK. This is done through the NOVA service at gov.uk/vehicle-approval/notify-arrival.
You will need details of the vehicle — make, model, VIN, engine size, and country of origin — along with proof of purchase and any applicable customs documentation. HMRC will issue a NOVA certificate confirming the vehicle has been notified. This certificate is required by the DVLA as part of the registration process.
For EU-sourced vehicles imported after Brexit, VAT and import duty may be payable depending on the vehicle's origin and the circumstances of import. Check the current HMRC guidance for your specific situation.
What Documents Do You Need to Register an Imported Car?
The documents required vary depending on the vehicle's origin and history, but the core requirements are as follows.
The foreign registration document — the equivalent of the UK V5C from the country of origin. This proves the vehicle's identity and your ownership.
Proof of purchase — an invoice or bill of sale showing you purchased the vehicle.
The NOVA certificate — issued by HMRC confirming arrival notification.
Evidence of identity approval — for vehicles that require Individual Vehicle Approval or a mutual recognition certificate. Not all imported vehicles require this, but vehicles that do not conform to UK type approval standards will need to go through the IVA process.
A valid MOT certificate — all imported vehicles being registered in the UK require an MOT before a V5C can be issued, unless the vehicle is new and meets UK type approval requirements.
Insurance — you will need UK insurance before driving the vehicle on UK roads.
How to Register an Imported Car with the DVLA
Once you have the NOVA certificate and all required documents, registration is done using the V55/5 form — the application to register a used imported vehicle. This form is available from the DVLA or from gov.uk.
Complete the V55/5 with full vehicle details, your personal details as the new registered keeper, and attach all supporting documents. Submit by post to DVLA, Vehicle Customer Services, Swansea, SA99 1BA along with the registration fee — currently £55 for a standard registration.
The DVLA will process your application and issue a V5C in your name along with a UK registration number. Processing times vary but typically take between four and six weeks.
What About the MOT?
All imported used vehicles must pass a UK MOT before a V5C can be issued. The MOT tests the vehicle against UK safety and emissions standards, which may differ from those of the country of origin.
For vehicles from countries where they drive on the right — mainland Europe, the USA, Japan — headlight beam adjustment is a common requirement. Headlights designed for right-hand traffic dip to the right and will dazzle oncoming traffic in the UK unless adjusted or replaced.
Other common issues for imported vehicles include speedometer reading in the wrong units, rear fog light requirements, and tyre specifications. A pre-MOT inspection by a garage experienced in imported vehicles can identify these issues before the formal test.
Importing from the EU Post-Brexit
Since January 2021, importing vehicles from EU member states to Great Britain requires customs procedures that previously did not apply. Import duty and VAT may be payable depending on the vehicle's origin, its value, and whether any trade deal provisions apply.
Vehicles manufactured in EU countries and meeting rules of origin requirements under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement may qualify for zero tariff — but this requires documentation proving origin. Vehicles assembled in the EU from non-EU components may not qualify.
The rules are complex and change periodically. Always check current HMRC guidance or take specialist customs advice before importing from the EU.
Importing from Outside the EU
Importing from non-EU countries — the USA, Japan, Australia, and others — involves customs duties and VAT on the vehicle's value. For vehicles from Japan and the USA in particular, there are active import communities and specialist importers who can handle the process.
Right-hand drive vehicles from Japan are popular imports — Japan drives on the left, so these vehicles are already configured for UK roads. However, they still require NOVA notification, MOT, and DVLA registration before they can be used legally in the UK.
Temporarily Importing a Vehicle
If you are visiting the UK from abroad and bringing your own vehicle temporarily, different rules apply. You can generally use a foreign-registered vehicle in the UK for up to six months without registering it, provided it is registered and insured in your home country and you are not a UK resident.
If you become a UK resident or exceed the temporary use period, you must register the vehicle with the DVLA.
What Happens to the Foreign Registration Documents?
When the DVLA registers an imported vehicle and issues a UK V5C, they typically require the original foreign registration document to be surrendered as part of the process. The foreign document is no longer valid once UK registration is complete.
Keep certified copies of all documents submitted — do not send originals unless specifically instructed and retain proof of postage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to register an imported car? You must register the vehicle within 14 days of it arriving in the UK if you intend to use it on UK roads. Failure to do so is a legal offence.
Can I drive an imported car before it has a UK V5C? Only if it has valid foreign registration and insurance and you are within the temporary use period — typically six months for visitors. UK residents must register the vehicle before driving it on UK roads.
Do I need to change the number plates immediately? Yes — once registered, the vehicle must display UK number plates. Foreign plates are not valid for UK road use once the vehicle is registered here.
What is Individual Vehicle Approval? IVA is the process by which vehicles that do not meet UK type approval standards are assessed individually. It involves a physical inspection and test at a DVSA testing centre. Vehicles that fail IVA cannot be registered for UK road use without modifications.
How much does it cost to register an imported vehicle? The DVLA registration fee is currently £55. Additional costs include the MOT, any modifications required to meet UK standards, and customs duties and VAT where applicable. Specialist import agents charge varying fees for managing the process.
Key Takeaways
Any vehicle imported to the UK must be registered with the DVLA within 14 days of arrival if it is to be used on UK roads. You must notify HMRC via the NOVA service before the DVLA will process a registration application. The V55/5 form is used to register an imported used vehicle — submit with all supporting documents to DVLA Swansea. All imported used vehicles require a UK MOT before a V5C can be issued. Post-Brexit imports from the EU may attract import duty and VAT — check current HMRC guidance. Right-hand drive Japanese imports are a popular choice as they are already configured for UK roads.