I've just registered a 1966 Ford Mustang, imported from the USA.
Before I sat down to complete the paperwork I read through various forums and internet articles on the subject, most of which filled me with horror - stories of the DVLA losing original documents and then refusing to accept copies, denying having received applications, taking many months to process paperwork, insisting on MOT's for cars which were 40, 50 or 60 years old and were never going to pass an MOT etc.
My experience was quite the opposite, so I thought I'd post how I did mine, in the hope someone else also gets a nice easy transaction like I did.
First - make sure you have the NOVA number and request the 'Guide to Importing a vehicle' pack from the DVLA's website.
You'll get the forms you need (V55/5) and also a couple of leaflets giving guidance on completing the forms - read them thoroughly, not every section of the form will apply to your particular car so know which sections it is ok to leave blank.
The application asks for an MOT, if your car will be MOT exempt due to age you need to substitute the MOT certificate for a V112 'Declaration of Exemption Notice' which you download from the DVLA website. The application pack doesn't make this very clear and leaves you thinking you need an MOT, when you don't.
These are the documents you MUST supply with your application when you send it off:
V55/5
Application Fee (£55) (plus the road tax payment if your car will not be classed as Historic and therefore road tax exempt)
V112 Declaration of MOT exemption (or MOT certificate if your vehicle requires one or you chose to get one regardless)
Confirmation of the NOVA number from HMRC (in my case they accepted a print out of the e-mail confirmation)
Original Certificate of Title (or equivalent)
ID and proof of address
Copy of Insurance Certificate (mine was issued just showing the chassis number on the certificate)
What I also sent, which wasn't on the list of essentials, but which I think helped was the following:
A covering letter listing all the documents enclosed and providing as many contact details as possible (you want therm to try and resolve any minor issue there and then, otherwise their standard procedure is post everything back to you with a letter saying there is an error which you need to correct before resubmitting the whole application).
Clear photographs of the car including the mileage on the speedo, the stamped in VIN (Chassis number) and the VIN plate fixed to the car.
A print out of the 'VIN de-coder' from the owner's club website which shows the exact make, model and specification of the car as well as the year and location of manufacture.
I'm sure the VIN info and clear photo's influenced the decision on whether to ask for the car to be examined or not (they didn't want to), which also speeds up the whole process.
Last but not least, send everything by recorded delivery and feep a copy, just in case!
I found the DVLA to be really efficient with this application, it was only just over 2 weeks from posting the application to them to receiving a new log book.
Sorry that goes on a bit but it might assist someone.
Before I sat down to complete the paperwork I read through various forums and internet articles on the subject, most of which filled me with horror - stories of the DVLA losing original documents and then refusing to accept copies, denying having received applications, taking many months to process paperwork, insisting on MOT's for cars which were 40, 50 or 60 years old and were never going to pass an MOT etc.
My experience was quite the opposite, so I thought I'd post how I did mine, in the hope someone else also gets a nice easy transaction like I did.
First - make sure you have the NOVA number and request the 'Guide to Importing a vehicle' pack from the DVLA's website.
You'll get the forms you need (V55/5) and also a couple of leaflets giving guidance on completing the forms - read them thoroughly, not every section of the form will apply to your particular car so know which sections it is ok to leave blank.
The application asks for an MOT, if your car will be MOT exempt due to age you need to substitute the MOT certificate for a V112 'Declaration of Exemption Notice' which you download from the DVLA website. The application pack doesn't make this very clear and leaves you thinking you need an MOT, when you don't.
These are the documents you MUST supply with your application when you send it off:
V55/5
Application Fee (£55) (plus the road tax payment if your car will not be classed as Historic and therefore road tax exempt)
V112 Declaration of MOT exemption (or MOT certificate if your vehicle requires one or you chose to get one regardless)
Confirmation of the NOVA number from HMRC (in my case they accepted a print out of the e-mail confirmation)
Original Certificate of Title (or equivalent)
ID and proof of address
Copy of Insurance Certificate (mine was issued just showing the chassis number on the certificate)
What I also sent, which wasn't on the list of essentials, but which I think helped was the following:
A covering letter listing all the documents enclosed and providing as many contact details as possible (you want therm to try and resolve any minor issue there and then, otherwise their standard procedure is post everything back to you with a letter saying there is an error which you need to correct before resubmitting the whole application).
Clear photographs of the car including the mileage on the speedo, the stamped in VIN (Chassis number) and the VIN plate fixed to the car.
A print out of the 'VIN de-coder' from the owner's club website which shows the exact make, model and specification of the car as well as the year and location of manufacture.
I'm sure the VIN info and clear photo's influenced the decision on whether to ask for the car to be examined or not (they didn't want to), which also speeds up the whole process.
Last but not least, send everything by recorded delivery and feep a copy, just in case!
I found the DVLA to be really efficient with this application, it was only just over 2 weeks from posting the application to them to receiving a new log book.
Sorry that goes on a bit but it might assist someone.
.