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How long does DVLA take to register an imported car?

Author

John Castro

Published Feb 21, 2026

How long does DVLA take to register an imported car?

Send you a vehicle registration certificate (V5C) showing you as the registered keeper. We will send this within four to six weeks of receiving your application.

Also to know is, how much does it cost to register an imported car in the UK?

To apply for registration, you'll need to send the following to the DVLA in Swansea (photocopies are not acceptable): Completed application form V55/4 (for new vehicles) or V55/5 (for used vehicles) Registration fee of £55 (if applicable) and the required fee for the vehicle tax. Current UK certificate of insurance.

Also, can I drive an imported car in the UK? You can usually use a vehicle with foreign number plates without registering or taxing it in the UK if all of the following apply: the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country. you only use the vehicle for up to 6 months in total - this can be a single visit, or several shorter visits over 12 months.

Regarding this, how do I register an imported car in the UK?

You must register any vehicle you bring into the UK permanently. You cannot register before you do all of the following: tell HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) you imported the vehicle and get confirmation that your NOVA application is processed. pay VAT and duty if HMRC tells you to.

How long does it take a dealer to register a new car UK?

Dealerships are allocated the registration of a car between one and two weeks before it is delivered. But, they will not register it on the DVLA until the day of delivery.

Can I buy a car in Northern Ireland and bring it to England?

You can move your vehicle freely between Great Britain and Northern Ireland if it's registered in either country. Tell DVLA about the change of address.

How do I register an EU car in the UK?

How to register a eu car in the uk
  1. You will need to tell the HMRC you are importing the car and complete the NOVA application/ VAT414 form (this is a customs declaration which has to be completed)
  2. Contact the vehicle manufacturer to request the Certificate of Conformity (this confirms that the vehicle was manufactured within the EU)

Can a car be registered in two countries?

2 Answers. Communication between countries are not really good, so yes, if you register your car anywhere, you have to tell your old country to remove their car from their registry. But this would also mean it is entirelly possible to have a car registered in two countries.

How do I change my foreign number plate to UK?

If you are moving from a foreign country and registering as a resident of the UK, your vehicle must be registered within 2 weeks of moving, and your foreign registration plate will be changed for a UK number plate by the DVLA.

How do I register a French car in UK?

You can do it online at: gov.uk/nova-log-in; HMRC will tell you if you owe any VAT or duty (this is not usually the case when bringing your car from the EU). You can make queries at HMRC's imports helpline on 0044 (0)300 200 3700; Obtain vehicle approval to show the car meets environmental and safety standards.

Can I import a car from Europe?

All cars have to meet U.S. EPA standards before they can be imported and used in the US. Secure a U.S. EPA form 3520-1 to prove that the vehicle has passed EPA requirements. This form will be given to U.S. Customs officials before given the permit to enter.

Can I change Northern Ireland number plate to UK?

Yes you can change your Irish Registration providing the vehicle is registered in mainland UK. The Private Plate Company offer a scheme whereby we can change your existing Irish registration number to a UK registration for you. The cost of this service is just £79.00.

Can a UK resident drive a foreign registered car?

If you are not a resident of the United Kingdom, you can drive a foreign car without registering it in the UK for up to 6 months. If you are a resident of the UK, you are not allowed to drive any car that is not registered in the UK with only a few exceptions.

How much is import duty in UK?

Customs Duty
Type and value of goodsCustoms Duty
Anything under £135No charge
Gifts worth £135-£6302.5%, but rates are lower for some goods - call the helpline
Gifts above £630 and other goods above £135The rate depends on the type of goods and where they came from - call the helpline

Do I have to pay VAT on an imported car?

The VAT is payable even where you have paid VAT in the other country. If you are importing a new or second hand car from outside the EU, VAT (and customs duty) is payable. You must have proof of payment of this when you are registering the car in Ireland - see 'How to apply' below.

Do imported cars cost more to insure?

Will insuring an imported car cost more than one bought domestically? In general yes, imported insurance tends to cost more than conventional or domestically bought insurance, in particular with grey imports. Grey imports tend to be more powerful than EU regulations would permit and may be left-hand drive for example.

Can I drive a unregistered car home?

NSW. The only time you can legally drive an unregistered vehicle in NSW is to get it registered, and then you must be using the most direct route to your nearest inspection station. Otherwise you should renew your rego online or via the Service NSW app, by phone, by mail or in person at a registry or service centre.

Can I buy a car in Germany and bring it to the UK?

When importing a car from Germany to the UK, you can do so completely tax free providing the vehicle is both over 6 months old and has covered over 6000km from new.

Can I bring my American car to the UK?

Yes and no. You'll still need a certificate of motor insurance, that doesn't change. But if you're importing your LHD car, you'll need to see individual vehicle approval (IVA), which isn't cheap. You'll also need any relevant no-claims bonus documents – assuming this won't be a second car.

Can a Spanish resident drive a UK car?

Non-residents who are nationals of EU states (including the UK for the moment) are allowed to drive their foreign-registered vehicles, including caravans, for up to 180 days (not necessarily consecutive) in a calendar year, as long as they have been passed as roadworthy in the country in which they are registered.

Can I buy a car in Europe and bring it to the UK?

When you bring a new motor vehicle into the UK from another EU country, you must pay Value Added Tax (VAT), if you intend to stay for more than six months. If you have to pay VAT, you must do this before you register and license the vehicle with the DVLA in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How long can a UK registered car stay in Europe?

Moving for less than 6 months

You can keep your car registered in your country of residence. You may, however, need to pay road taxes. Road taxes are due for the use of your car, in your new country.

Does the dealership take care of registration?

In order to legally drive on public roads, your car must be registered. Fortunately, if you buy a new or used car from a dealer, they will typically take care of the paperwork for at least a temporary registration before you leave the dealership. The service will be included in the fees you pay when purchasing the car.

Do car dealers register your car for you?

When you buy a new car, your car dealer can do the registration for you in exchange for a certain price. You also have the option of finding an agent to do the registration work for you. Though this saves a lot of time, these two options cost some extra money than what the registration process is supposed to.

Does the dealership take care of license plates?

Dealerships are authorized to handle most state transactions, such as tax collection, license plates, inspections or emissions testing, titling and registration. So, you can expect to receive a temporary registration from the dealer along with dealer temporary tags.

Can I tax my car while waiting for log book?

Can you tax a car without the V5C logbook? No. You cannot tax your vehicle if you do not have a V5C logbook. You can only tax the vehicle if you are the owner, as a V5C only proves you are the registered keeper of said vehicle.

How long do you have to wait for a new car?

Once you sign a new car purchase contract you have to wait to pick it up anywhere between a few days and a few months. So it could be 2 days, or it could be even 6 months, or longer – it all depends on a number of factors.

How long does it take to get a v5 after buying a car?

two to four weeks

Why does it take so long to get a new car?

Yes, it's a long time, and that's because there are a lot of pieces to it. The dealership needs to run your credit, get your loan approved, appraise the car you're trading in, figure out the pay-off amount to your current car and agree on a price for the new car you want to buy.

Can I apply for a new v5 online?

You can get a duplicate vehicle log book (V5C) online if you do not need to change anything in the log book. If you need to make any changes or you're not yet registered as the vehicle's keeper, you must make an application by post using form V62.

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