Vehicle Registration

[deecee]

Does DVLA always need to inspect kit cars for registration or is it just a visit with the correct forms? Mine will be on a Q plate if it makes any difference.

[David]

My experience is several years old now, but after SVA (as it then was) I had to take the car to a DVLA local office to be inspected before the registration could be issued. The inspection lasted about five minutes, and the inspector did not bother to remove the car from the trailer. It seemed to me that it was predominantly a check that the car presented was the same one as in the documentation.

Not all DVLA offices have trailer friendly car parks

HTH

[deecee]

Thanks David

My only prior experience was in 98 just before SVA came in. I managed to get the Fury MOTed without doors or screen and the DVLA man came out to see the car by appointment at my home. Fat chance of that these days I am sure! The local office in Oxford is only 15 mins away and although I have a trailer the Street Map view shows all double yellows and hardly any chance of maneuvering to turn round in a cul-de-sac. I wonder if I can drive it there? Parked on yellows without a number plate, how could they nobble me I wonder? Have cover note that shows Reg No as CH44SIS. I was expecting to see the VIN number which I gave them. I dare say their software will not accept such a long string? I hope it's acceptable to DVLA.

I'll give the a call tomorrow to see what they say.

[adithorp]

After IVA came in some DVLA offices started taking the IVA pass as good enough. Even heard it was a directive from on high... However, time and again members on locostbuilders have had to take their car for a DVLA inspection. Seems to be down to the local offices policy unfortunatly.

[deecee]

Thanks Adrian. I shall be interested to see what transpires. I can't see anywhere to park near the Oxford office and certainly not with a trailer.

[dopdog]

HI David,

is it still in Cambridge terrace? I was going to say leave the car and trailer in albion place next to the car park opposite the office. just had a look at google maps and see they have built on the car park . Not the best place for you if you do need to take the car there?

[adithorp]

I'd mention the parking issue and that some offices (apparently on instruction from Swansea) were taking the IVA pass as good enough when you speak to them. I wonder how they'll do it when all the local offices close.

There's nowhere to park a trailer at Manchester office so they do it (or used to) at Chadderton VOSA site.

[matt_gsxr]

Mine was registered after IVA came in, but mine was under the old SVA regime (as it was a retest).

Anyway, I'm in Oxford too. They tried to send me to Theale (but nowhere to park a trailer) as the Bicester one was closing, then they changed their mind!
I vaguely remember that they sent me paperwork telling me where I needed to go, but my only strong memory was that it was a waste of time.

I did have to go into the Oxford office, but not with the car, only the paperwork (many more times than you would expect because they were muppets regarding Q plates and bike engines). You are right, there is nowhere to park.

[deecee]

I get the feeling this is going to be a long saga! I took what I thought was all the paperwork I needed to the Oxford office this am. The cover note was NBG as they had put the reg no as CH44SIS which was not acceptable. No surprise there, so I am trying to get one with the VIN number on. Yes it would need inspecting but they do not do that in Oxford, it would have to go to Theale, near Reading. BUT only on a Tuesday morning. As it happens that's not much good to me so we homed in on Northampton where there is a DVLA office too. Of course you have to trailer it there, not an issue for me but a serious problem for many I imagine. Oh and they wanted to see all the invoices again that I had taken to the IVA test and complete another "which bits came from where" form. Why did someone not tell me this when I phoned Swansea this am before I went?

So when I get the correct cover note it is a trip to Northampton (time on the cover note is running out to do it by mail), book an inspection and return again with the car. I am glad I am retired I would never have the time when I was working. Is it any wonder the kit car industry is in decline? Or is it a plot to close the whole kit car business down completely?

Apologies for the rant but I feel so much better now!

[dopdog]

I think you could be correct, in making it hard I think they are trying to put us off making our own cars.