Responses invited - DVLA consultation on the historic vehicle registration processes

The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have launched a call for evidence around the existing policies and registration processes for historic, classic, and rebuilt vehicles. ​

Summary

DVLA, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, is responsible for vehicle registration and licensing across the UK.  The law states that every vehicle keeper must notify DVLA of any changes that are made to their vehicle (regardless of the age of the vehicle) which result in the particulars set out in the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) becoming incorrect. The processes in place allow for updates to be made to the vehicle record held at DVLA, which are then output on the V5C and shared with law enforcement partners.

DVLA receives notifications of changes made to vehicles which have been rebuilt, converted to electric or radically altered to such an extent that it can affect the identity of the vehicle. When assessing these vehicles, DVLA’s main interest is to establish whether a vehicle has been newly constructed and that road safety has not been compromised as a result. For example, a kit-built vehicle or one that has been restored or rebuilt to its original specification using enough of the original vehicle to retain its original registration number. DVLA also assesses whether extensive or multiple changes over time mean that a vehicle can no longer be accurately described as the original vehicle and assess that these are safe to be used on the public road. It is of course the case that many components in vehicles through wear and tear will need replacing such as tyres, wipers and lights, for example, to remain safely in use on the roads and as appropriate. These policies have been designed to ensure that general wear and tear does not trigger a new identity. In some cases, depending on the appearance of the vehicle a revised description on the record held by DVLA and the V5C may be appropriate. For example, where a car has its roof removed to become a convertible.
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This call for evidence explains the current policies used for identifying such vehicles and the registration processes for them, which have been in place for many years.   
We are seeking your expert knowledge about whether these policies need updating, in particular to reflect evolving technologies that support the restoration and rebuilding of vehicles, along with vehicles that are being converted to electric. We also want to know if you have any suggestions based on your knowledge and expertise in this area that may assist in improving the registration process for these vehicles.

DVLA questions about the process

The questions for which responses are invited can be found here: ​https://shorturl.at/ZAVaH

how to respond

The call for evidence period began on 9 May 2024 and will run for 8 weeks until 4 July 2024.

• When responding to this call for evidence, it will be helpful if you give some information about yourself. Please tell us whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. If responding on behalf of a larger organisation, please make it clear who the organisation represents and, where applicable, how the views of members were assembled.
• In answering the questions, please provide any practical examples, relevant data, research evidence or experience that support your views.
• Do not feel obliged to reply to all the questions.
• You can respond to this call for evidence using DVLA’s SNAP Survey Ltd tool.
• Alternatively, you can respond by emailing us at [email protected]
  
  

Or you can post your response to:
Vehicle Registration Policy
Call for Evidence
C2 East
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL
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Please make sure that your response reaches us before the closing date. You can contact [email protected] if you need alternative formats. For example, paper copies, audio formats.