How to fill in a V55/5 form

The V55/5 is DVLA's application for first vehicle tax and registration of a used motor vehicle. It is commonly used for used imports, rebuilds, older vehicles that have never been registered and vehicles brought back after export.

This guide follows the current V355/5, updated by DVLA in October 2025. Because V55/5 covers many vehicle types, not every numbered box applies to every case. Copy technical values from the source DVLA specifies; do not invent a value merely to fill a blank.

Before you use V55/5

Confirm it is the right form

• V55/5: used or previously registered vehicle, used import, rebuild, older never-registered vehicle, or a vehicle returning after export.
• V55/4: genuinely new vehicle, including a new import.

A vehicle already registered abroad is normally “used” for this form even if its mileage is very low. Read V55/4 vs V55/5 if the status is unclear.

Complete the steps that must precede registration

For an import, DVLA normally needs HMRC's vehicle-arrival position processed, tax due dealt with and the relevant vehicle-approval evidence or exemption established. MOT evidence can also be required.

Use the imported vehicle registration route checker to establish those prerequisites. For the HMRC step, follow the current NOVA guide; private individuals do not all use the same online route.

Check for serious-damage status before importing

DVLA says it cannot register and tax an imported vehicle classed abroad as the equivalent of a UK Category A or B write-off. If the paperwork indicates serious damage, obtain evidence from the foreign registration authority confirming that the vehicle is not classed as seriously damaged before applying.

How DVLA says to complete the form

• Write clearly in black ink using CAPITAL LETTERS.
• Use the top-right box to state the country where the imported vehicle was bought.
• Tick whether it is left-hand drive or right-hand drive.
• Make sure the VIN/chassis number, dates and keeper details agree across the form and evidence.
• Sign and date the declaration. DVLA says improperly completed or unsigned applications are not accepted.

Boxes 1 to 10: registration, tax and basic identity

Box	What DVLA asks for	Practical guidance
1	Registration number	Leave blank; DVLA completes it
2	Tax class	Use the correct class, such as petrol car or diesel car; consult V355/1 rather than guessing
3	Period of tax	State 6 or 12 months where the tax class offers the choice
4	Registration fee and tax payable	Include the first-registration fee unless an INF54/1 exemption applies, plus the correct tax
5	Manufacturer	Copy from the CoC, IVA or GB conversion certificate
6	Make	The make, for example Ford or Peugeot
7	Model and full specification	Use the specific model/derivative supported by the documents
8	Type of body/vehicle	Use a plain supported description such as 5-door hatchback, coupe or motorcycle
9	Wheelplan	For example, a standard car is normally 2-AXLE RIGID; a motorcycle is 2 WHEEL
10	Colour	Use DVLA's basic colour descriptions; enter both for two colours and MULTI-COLOURED for three or more

Boxes 11 to 23: approval and construction

These boxes are where unsupported guesses most often appear.

• 11 Type approval number/category: take it from the Certificate of Conformity. If the vehicle does not need evidence because of how it is constructed, leave box 11 blank and explain the full exemption in box 72. If submitting IVA, GB conversion IVA or MSVA, DVLA records the certificate details in its official-use boxes.
• 12 Type: copy from the CoC, IVA or GB conversion certificate.
• 13 Variant and 14 Version: copy from the CoC. DVLA says they are not required when an IVA or GB conversion certificate is supplied, although known information should be given.
• 15 Length and 20 Width: use the CoC. The V355/5 explains when these may be omitted with IVA/GB conversion evidence and when known information must still be entered.
• 16 Stationary sound, 18 maximum net power and 19 towable mass: use the CoC and follow the specified unit/rounding instructions.
• 17 Seats: include the driver's seat. Use the CoC or count the seats.
• 21 Unladen weight: DVLA says this is generally not required for a sub-3,500kg passenger car unless it is a tricycle.
• 22 Standing places: buses only.
• 23 Maximum permissible mass: use the CoC; DVLA says motorcycles and tricycles do not need it.

If you do not have an approval document, that does not make arbitrary manufacturer specifications an equivalent substitute. Establish the correct approval or exemption route first.

Boxes 24 to 38: dates, identity, engine and emissions

Box	What to enter
24	Date first registered in any country
25	Year the vehicle was manufactured
26	Date first registered in the UK, where it was registered here before
27	Track width from the CoC, IVA or GB conversion certificate
28–29	Euro status and directive number from the CoC if shown
30	Date vehicle tax should start; DVLA says this is normally today's date or the first day of the next month
31	Fuel type, such as Petrol, Diesel or Electricity
32	The full VIN, chassis or frame number stamped into the vehicle
33	Full engine number from the vehicle
34	Cylinder capacity in cc from the CoC or manufacturer
35	Wheelbase from the CoC, IVA or GB conversion certificate
36	Combined NEDC CO2 or equivalent from the CoC where applicable
37	Specific WLTP CO2 from the CoC, IVA or GB conversion certificate
38	Mass in service from the CoC or manufacturer

Do not convert a short Japanese chassis number into a made-up 17-character VIN. Enter the full identifier actually stamped on the vehicle and ensure it matches the original export certificate and translation.

Boxes 39 to 68: specialist technical data

These cover emissions, weights, sound, motorcycle power-to-weight, RDE, automated-vehicle status, WLTP values, innovative technology, bodywork code and related approval data.

The current V355/5 repeatedly says many of these boxes can be left blank when the information is not shown, or need not be filled when an IVA/GB conversion/MSVA certificate is supplied. The safe method is:

1. Copy a value only from the CoC or approval source DVLA identifies.
2. Preserve the printed units.
3. Follow the current V355/5 instruction for that exact box.
4. Leave an optional unavailable value blank rather than estimating it.

Use the box-by-box V55/5 reference for the instruction attached to a particular number.

Boxes 69 to 76 and declaration

• 69 List/notional price: mandatory for M1 type-approved vehicles where applicable. DVLA specifically warns that M1, M1G and M1SP type-approved vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2017 need the vehicle list price or notional price. The V355/5 describes this as the price on the day before registration/tax starts.
• 70 Keeper name and address: full name, address and postcode.
• 71 Date of birth and contact details: date of birth is required when the keeper is an individual; provide phone/email so DVLA can contact you.
• 72 Type-approval exemption: if claiming one, state the full reason. “Over 10 years” should only be used when the vehicle actually falls within the published category and no import carve-out alters the evidence requirement.
• 73 Mileage: enter the current displayed mileage in miles, not kilometres. Convert carefully if the odometer displays km.
• 74–76: for vehicles over 3,500kg, not cars or light vans.
• Declaration: sign and date it.

Supporting documents for a used import

The pack depends on the vehicle. Current DVLA guidance can require:

• keeper identity and address evidence
• the original non-UK registration document or certificate, if available
• a letter explaining why it is unavailable plus a manufacturer or other acceptable dating certificate
• a CoC, GB conversion certificate, IVA or MSVA certificate where appropriate
• current MOT evidence if the vehicle is over 3 years old, or over 4 years old in Northern Ireland, unless the correct exemption route applies
• vehicle weight, disability-class or other specialist evidence where applicable
• a valid insurance certificate or cover note for a vehicle registered to a Northern Ireland address; follow DVLA's rules on acceptable downloaded copies
• the correct vehicle-tax and first-registration payment

For identity, DVLA asks an individual for a photocopy of a UK photocard driving licence. If that cannot be supplied, send photocopies of one accepted name document and one accepted address document. Do not send original identity documents. Businesses have a separate two-document list in V355/5.

Payment and posting

DVLA currently says:

• payment can be made by cheque or postal order payable to DVLA
• do not send cash
• damaged or altered cheques are rejected
• supporting documents should be originals unless DVLA specifically says otherwise

Post the completed pack to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BE

Keep a scan of the entire form and every enclosure. Use a tracked postal service. If you want returnable documents sent by Special Delivery, current V355/5 guidance asks for a prepaid Special Delivery envelope.

What happens next

DVLA may inspect the vehicle. If it approves the application, it will:

1. assign an age-related registration using the evidence supplied, or a Q/QNI registration if age or identity cannot be established
2. send the V5C showing the keeper; current guidance says within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application
3. return documents other than the original non-UK registration certificate

If the pack is inconsistent or incomplete, it can be returned instead. Run the V55/5 rejection risk checker before posting.

Official sources

• DVLA: current V55/5 form and V355/5 instructions
• DVLA: new and first registrations
• DVLA: registering an imported vehicle
• GOV.UK: vehicle approval exemptions