Importing or registering a vehicle?
Find out exactly what you need to register your vehicle in the UK. We’ll guide you through the DVLA forms, supporting documents, fees and taxes.
Help me import or register a vehicle
New to this, or unsure which forms you need? We’ll guide you through the forms, government costs and documents for your vehicle.
Build my registration planI know which form I need
Go straight to a guided form.
More forms coming soon.
1978 Toyota Land Cruiser
Forms you need 2 forms
Before you applyNOVA, import tax & approval exemption
Complete NOVA and settle any import VAT and duty. Confirm the age-based approval exemption.
What to sendExport certificate, invoice & identity
Original export certificate and supplier invoice showing the collection date.
Identity evidence — Copy of a UK photocard driving licence, or copies of one accepted name document and one accepted address document.
Fees & tax
HMRC £6,880 · DVLA £55
Calculate my costs
Fees & tax
HMRC £6,880 · DVLA £55
£20,000 vehicle + £1,500 shipping
- Duty
- £2,150
- Import VAT
- £4,730
- Registration fee
- £55
- Vehicle tax · 12 months
- £0
Vehicle tax exempt: Historic tax class. The first-registration fee still applies.
Import estimate assumes 10% duty and 20% VAT; no preference or collector relief claimed.
Calculation assumptions & official sources
Example purchase £20,000; freight and insurance £1,500. No other customs or VAT-value additions.
Illustrative 10% duty and 20% VAT. No preference or collector relief claimed; age alone does not establish customs relief.
Historic Vehicle tax class, 12 months, 2026–27 rates. Great Britain keeper; first UK registration.
Government taxes only. Approval, agent, testing and service charges are not included.
Selected requirements for this example. Your personalised plan may include further questions and evidence.
“I'd been putting off the V55/5 for months because the form was so intimidating.”
Which DVLA forms can I complete on this site?
Our guided builders currently support V55/4, V55/5 and V627/1. We’re adding support for more forms.
- V55/4 is for new vehicles that have never been registered, including new imports and some newly built kit cars.
- V55/5 is for used imports, older vehicles that have never been registered and vehicles returning after export.
- V627/1 is a supporting vehicle parts statement for relevant built, rebuilt or converted vehicles. It accompanies the main application.
DVLA uses other forms too, and your application may need additional paperwork, such as V267, V112, V765 or V627/3. Choose “Build my registration plan” above to identify the forms and evidence for your vehicle, with links to official forms where we do not yet offer a builder.
What documents will I need?
That depends on the vehicle and its history. Common evidence includes proof of your identity and address, vehicle registration or dating documents, purchase evidence, and any required approval or MOT evidence.
Your plan identifies the relevant documents and supporting forms, and distinguishes questions still to answer from tasks still to complete. Check which documents DVLA needs as originals or copies in the official registration guidance.
Can I send the generated V55 PDF directly to DVLA?
What is free, and when do I pay?
Your registration plan, requirements checklist and V627/1 builder are free. You can also start V55/4 or V55/5 for free; a one-time payment per main form unlocks full guided completion and the reference PDF.
The price is shown in the builder before payment. There is no subscription. Government registration fees, vehicle tax, any import duty or VAT, and testing or approval costs are separate. See what’s included.
Can I save my progress and come back later?
Your in-progress application is saved in the browser you’re using. Return on the same device and browser to pick up where you left off; clearing browser data or using private browsing can remove that local draft.
Once your initial route questions are answered, the backup control at the top of the page can email you a snapshot link. Send a fresh backup after making changes. Paid V55 forms also have an emailed access link for the 30-day access period.
More questionsFewer questions10
Your registration
Is this just for imported cars?
No. You can plan a registration for cars, motorcycles, vans, tricycles, quads and motorhomes, including imports, older unregistered vehicles and relevant kit-built or modified vehicles.
The plan also asks whether you’re registering in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, because some requirements differ. Specialist vehicles, such as HGVs, buses and agricultural vehicles, are directed to the relevant official guidance.
My vehicle is already UK registered. Do I need a V55?
Usually, no. If the vehicle is still on DVLA’s register and you only need a replacement log book, the V5C replacement process is normally the right route.
A reimport after export, a claim for an old registration number or a significant modification can need different paperwork. Tell the planner the vehicle’s registration history, or use our missing V5C checker.
Can I start before the vehicle arrives or all my documents are ready?
Yes. You can work out your route and begin preparing a form while you arrange shipping, collect evidence or complete outside steps.
Your application keeps outstanding requirements visible. Preparing or downloading a form does not mean the vehicle is ready to register: complete the applicable prerequisites and final posting checklist before sending it to DVLA.
Preparing the paperwork
What if I’m missing a foreign registration document or Certificate of Conformity?
Tell the planner what you have. A missing document does not have the same consequence for every vehicle: alternative dating evidence, an explanation or a different approval route may be needed.
The application will show the unresolved evidence or approval step. Leave unknown details unanswered until you can verify them; we cannot create official certificates or guarantee that DVLA will accept substitute evidence.
Do I need NOVA, an MOT or vehicle approval?
These are separate requirements. NOVA is HMRC’s Notification of Vehicle Arrivals for applicable imports; MOT evidence concerns roadworthiness; approval establishes whether the vehicle meets the relevant standards. Exemptions depend on the vehicle and circumstances.
Your plan checks each requirement and links to the next action. We do not submit NOVA notifications or arrange tests. For an import, check HMRC’s notification rules early: a 14-day deadline normally applies.
Do you submit the application for me or work for DVLA?
We’re an independent preparation service, unaffiliated with DVLA, HMRC or DVSA. We help you organise requirements, check supported form fields and prepare the paperwork.
You check the details, sign the official forms and post the application with its evidence and payments. DVLA makes the registration decision and may ask for further information or an inspection. We do not have access to government case tracking.
Using the service
Can I correct my answers after paying?
Yes. During the 30-day access period, you can return to your paid V55 form, edit your answers and download an updated reference PDF without paying again for that form.
Check the revised answers before copying them onto the official form. If you change a form you previously marked complete, review it again before confirming it is ready.
Do I have to upload documents or use AI?
No. You can enter your answers manually. Optional document reading can suggest vehicle details from a Certificate of Conformity or registration document; you review the suggestions before applying them. The assistant can help explain your next steps, but important answers should be checked against its official sources.
Do not upload passports, driving licences or other identity documents. Vehicle documents are processed for the reading request and discarded afterwards. Our privacy policy explains how form data, backups, assistant conversations and payments are handled.
How long will registration take?
Preparing the paperwork and DVLA processing are separate. Your preparation time depends on the evidence, HMRC steps and tests your vehicle needs.
For imported vehicles, GOV.UK says the V5C can take up to six weeks to arrive. Queries, missing evidence or an inspection may affect the timing. We cannot promise a registration date or speed up DVLA’s processing. Check the current official guidance before planning around a date.
What happens if DVLA rejects my application?
If DVLA rejects an application prepared with our paid V55 service, our rejection guarantee provides a full refund of your service payment. Email evidence of the rejection and your receipt or transaction ID to help.v55.5@gmail.com.
This refunds our preparation charge; it does not cover government payments or other costs. Read the refund policy for the full terms. You can also contact us if you need help using the service.