Vehicle registration

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Radically altered vehicles

Your vehicle must comply with the if you use it on the road.

Radically altered vehicles are vehicles that have been altered from their original specification, but are not kit conversions.

How to register

You must follow all the instructions for registering a new vehicle.

You鈥檒l need to include the following with your application:

Contact DVLA if you鈥檙e not sure about what you need to provide.

Send your application to 鈥楰its and Rebuilds鈥� at DVLA.

Kits and Rebuilds
D9
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ

Get a vehicle registration number

DVLA uses a points system to decide what registration number to give a radically altered vehicle.

Keep the original registration number

Your vehicle must have 8 or more points from the table below if you want to keep the original registration number. 5 of these points must come from having the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.

Part Points
Chassis, monocoque bodyshell (body and chassis as one unit) or frame - original or new and unmodified (direct from manufacturer) 5
Suspension (front and back) - original 2
Axles (both) - original 2
Transmission - original 2
Steering assembly - original 2
Engine - original 1

Get a 鈥楺鈥� registration number

You will not be able to keep your vehicle鈥檚 original registration number if one of the following applies:

  • it has fewer than 8 points
  • it has a second-hand or altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame
  • there鈥檚 evidence that 2 vehicles have been welded together to form one, for example 鈥榗ut and shut鈥�

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a 鈥楺鈥� prefix registration number.

Vehicles with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) must never reappear as complete vehicles or be presented for registration, though some components may be recycled. You cannot keep the original registration or vehicle identification number.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Buy a vehicle: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check the vehicle before you buy it

    You'll need the vehicle's registration number, make, model and MOT test number. You also need to see the V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book).

    1. Check the details you've been given match DVLA's information
    2. Check the vehicle's MOT history
    3. Check if the vehicle has been recalled because of a safety issue
    4. Check the log book is not for a stolen vehicle

  2. Step 2 Buy and register the vehicle

    Once you've bought the vehicle, you have to register it. How you register it depends on whether it has a V5C registration certificate (log book).

    1. Find out how to register your vehicle
    2. Get a vehicle log book if you do not have it 拢25

  3. and Register for MOT reminders

    You must get an MOT for your vehicle every year once it's 3 years old.

    1. Get a reminder when your MOT is due

  4. Step 3 Insure the vehicle

    You must have insurance before you can use your vehicle on the road.

    2. Read about vehicle insurance

  5. Step 4 Tax the vehicle

    You need to tax the vehicle before you can use it on the road.

    1. Check how much you鈥檒l have to pay to tax your vehicle
    2. Check when you do not have to pay vehicle tax
    3. Tax your vehicle