What goes in box 24 of the V55/5 form?

Last reviewed: 6 July 2026

V55/5 form · Box 24

Date of Original Registration

Box 24 of the DVLA V55/5 form is for date of original registration.

Give the date the vehicle was first registered (regardless of which country this was in).

What to enter

Field	Type	Required?
Date of Original Registration Give the date the vehicle was first registered (regardless of which country this was in).	date	Yes

Related V55/5 help answers

Do I send the original foreign registration document with V55/5?

Yes, if it is available. GOV.UK says imported-vehicle applications must include original documents, including the original foreign registration certificate.

Do Japanese or US imports need IVA?

Often yes unless the vehicle is exempt. GOV.UK says vehicles not registered in the EU should apply for IVA, or MSVA for 2-, 3- or smaller 4-wheeled vehicles.

What do I put in V55/5 box 24 date of original registration?

Put the date the vehicle was first registered anywhere in the world, not the UK registration date and not the import date.

What do I put in V55/5 box 25 year of manufacture?

Put the year the vehicle was built, such as 2001. Do not use the import year or UK registration year.

What do I put in V55/5 box 26 date of registration in the UK?

For a first UK registration, do not invent a UK registration date. Use the official guidance and leave DVLA-only or not-yet-known registration details blank where appropriate.

What documents do I need for a Dubai or UAE import V55/5?

Prepare UAE registration/export evidence, shipping and customs documents, HMRC/NOVA confirmation, VAT/duty evidence if due, approval evidence and V55/5 identity documents.

What documents do I need for a French import V55/5?

You need the UK import registration pack plus the original French registration certificate, purchase evidence and approval or CoC evidence where applicable.

What documents do I need for a German import V55/5?

For a German import, the key documents are the normal UK import pack plus the original German registration evidence and any CoC or approval evidence you have.

What documents do I need for a Japanese import V55/5?

You need the normal UK import pack plus Japanese identity and age evidence, usually the original export certificate or foreign registration evidence, with a translation if DVLA cannot read it.

What documents do I need for a Netherlands import V55/5?

You need original Dutch registration evidence plus the normal UK import pack: NOVA/HMRC, VAT/duty if due, approval evidence, MOT where needed and V55/5 supporting documents.

What documents do I need for a South African import V55/5?

You need original South African registration or export evidence plus HMRC/NOVA, customs, VAT/duty, approval and V55/5 identity evidence.

What documents do I need for a Spanish import V55/5?

Use the standard DVLA import pack, supported by the original Spanish registration evidence, purchase/collection evidence, NOVA/HMRC confirmation and approval evidence.

What documents do I need for a US import V55/5?

Prepare the standard DVLA import pack and original US title or registration evidence. A bill of sale helps ownership and HMRC value evidence, but it is not a replacement for vehicle identity papers.

What documents do I need for an Australian import V55/5?

Prepare original Australian registration or title evidence, shipping/customs evidence, HMRC/NOVA confirmation, approval evidence and the normal V55/5 supporting documents.

What documents do I need for an Irish import V55/5?

For a Republic of Ireland vehicle, prepare the standard imported-vehicle pack. Do not confuse it with a Northern Ireland vehicle that may already be UK registered.

What documents do I need for an Italian import V55/5?

Prepare the original Italian registration evidence plus purchase/collection evidence, NOVA/HMRC confirmation, approval or CoC evidence and the V55/5 support documents.

What tax class should an imported motorcycle use?

Use the DVLA tax class that matches the actual vehicle and tax treatment, usually motorcycle for normal bikes, or historic if it qualifies and you are applying for that class.

Can a barn-find classic with no paperwork be registered?

Possibly, but it is evidence-led. You need to prove identity, age, ownership chain, import status if relevant, and whether it was previously UK registered.

Can a dating certificate replace a foreign registration document?

It can help prove age, but it does not replace every function of the foreign registration document.

Do I need a covering letter with V55/5?

Not for a straightforward complete pack, but a covering letter is useful when you need to explain missing originals, mismatched details, exemptions, reimports or unusual evidence.

Do I need V112 for a historic imported motorcycle?

If you are claiming MOT exemption, expect to use V112 evidence when taxing the vehicle. The bike must still be roadworthy.

Does a classic import need type approval?

Many older classics are exempt from vehicle approval, but you still need strong age, identity, import and registration evidence.

Does a vehicle over 10 years old need IVA?

Often not, but there is a big carve-out: GOV.UK says a car or light goods vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2001 with EU type approval still needs approval evidence to tax it, even when over 10 years old.

How do I register a vehicle brought back from Spain or France after years abroad?

First decide whether it is a reimported UK vehicle or a foreign-registered import. The evidence and fee position can differ.

What causes a Q plate on an imported vehicle?

DVLA issues Q registrations where the vehicle age or identity is in doubt. Weak documents, mixed parts, new or replica parts, or unresolved identity issues can increase the risk.

What documents do I need for a Portuguese import V55/5?

Prepare the same UK permanent-import evidence: original Portuguese registration evidence, HMRC/NOVA confirmation, VAT/duty evidence if due, approval evidence and V55/5 support documents.

What evidence gets an age-related registration?

Strong age and identity evidence: original registration documents where available, manufacturer or recognised club evidence, readable VIN/chassis/frame number, and consistent import or ownership documents.

What evidence shows the date the vehicle was collected for V55/5?

GOV.UK gives the supplier invoice as an example. Use evidence that clearly connects the vehicle, collection date and seller or supplier.

What if a classic was previously UK registered then exported?

Treat it as a reimported vehicle if it was registered in the UK before and exported. GOV.UK says you must register it again when it comes back.

What if the Japanese export certificate is missing?

Treat it as a serious paperwork gap. DVLA normally wants the original foreign registration certificate or other strong evidence of manufacture date and identity.

Will DVLA inspect my imported vehicle?

DVLA might inspect it. GOV.UK says DVLA might ask to inspect an imported vehicle, and V355/5 says DVLA will contact you if inspection is needed.

Will DVLA return the foreign logbook after V55/5?

No. GOV.UK says you will not get the original foreign registration certificate back.

Source

This page is generated from the same field definitions our V55/5 tool validates against, mapped to the official DVLA guidance.

V355/5 official guidance (GOV.UK)

v55-5.com is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DVLA.

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