The IVA Test for Imported Vehicles: Who Needs It, What It Costs and How to Apply

Who needs an IVA test?

You need vehicle approval to register an imported vehicle in Great Britain unless it is exempt. In practice:

Car or light van under 10 years old from outside the EU

IVA (for example most cars from the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan)

Car under 10 years old from the EU

A European certificate of conformity from the manufacturer; left-hand drive cars also need a GB conversion IVA certificate (£100)

Car or light van over 10 years old

No approval needed

Truck over 3,500kg and over 25 years old

No approval needed

Motorcycle

Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) instead

Vehicle previously registered in the UK

No approval needed when it comes back

What does the IVA test cost?

Personal import, basic IVA

£199 in working hours, £294 outside

Re-inspection

£40 in working hours, £59 outside

Amateur-built or rebuilt vehicles

£450 in working hours

Working hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 8am to 4.30pm. Give at least 3 clear working days' notice to change or cancel, or the fee is lost. Add the cost of any modifications and of getting the vehicle to the test station.

What is a personal import?

A car or light van you bring in yourself when you move to the UK, which qualifies for the simpler "basic" IVA. All of these must apply:

• You lived outside the UK for at least 12 months in a row before importing it
• You intend to live in the UK
• You owned and used the vehicle where you lived for at least 6 months before importing it
• It is for your own or your household's use

What usually needs changing?

The test checks lights, mirrors, seat belts, tyres, emissions, noise, the speedometer and more against the IVA manual. On cars from North America the usual work is to the lights: headlamps that dip the right way for driving on the left, a rear fog lamp, and amber rather than red rear indicators. A speedometer must show mph. Check the vehicle against the DVSA manual before you ship, because some cars need costly changes.

How to apply, step by step

1. Import the vehicle and tell HMRC through a NOVA declaration within 14 days.
2. Apply for IVA online with the VIN and any evidence such as a certificate of conformity. DVSA usually replies within 10 working days.
3. Make any modifications needed and take the vehicle to the test station on the booked date. You can drive it there on public roads if it is insured.
4. If it passes, DVSA issues an Individual Approval Certificate.
5. Register the vehicle with DVLA on form V55/5, with the certificate.

Registering an imported vehicle: NOVA and V55/5 →

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