Last reviewed: 6 July 2026

V55/5 form · Box 32

VIN / Chassis / Frame Number

Box 32 of the DVLA V55/5 form is for vin / chassis / frame number.

What to enter

Field	Type	Required?	Shown when
VIN/Chassis/Frame N° (in full)	text	Yes	Conditional

Conditional & edge cases

VIN/Chassis/Frame N° (in full) only appears on the form in certain situations (for example, when the keeper is a business, the vehicle is an HGV, or a specific fuel type is selected).

Related V55/5 help answers

Can I insure an imported vehicle on the VIN?

Yes. DVLA import guidance says GB and NI vehicles need insurance using the VIN or chassis number before registration.

Can I send V55/5 before I have the IVA certificate?

No, not if approval is required. GOV.UK says you need proof of approval to register and tax the vehicle.

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.

Does an imported motorcycle need MSVA?

It depends on approval evidence, age and vehicle type. If the motorcycle does not have the required GB approval, GOV.UK says you must use MSVA.

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 32 VIN, chassis or frame number?

Enter the full VIN, chassis number or frame number that is stamped into the vehicle, exactly and consistently.

What do I put in V55/5 box 33 engine number?

Put the full engine number from the vehicle if it has one. If it is missing or changed, explain and evidence the position rather than guessing.

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 insurance do I need for a VIN-only MOT?

You need motor insurance that identifies the vehicle by VIN, chassis or frame number and covers the specific road movement you plan to make.

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.

Can I correct NOVA after submission?

You need to contact whoever made the declaration or HMRC support route. Do not send V55/5 with a known NOVA mismatch.

Can I drive an imported motorcycle to a pre-booked MSVA test?

Only treat it as a narrow test-journey exception: pre-booked MSVA, insured on the VIN or frame number, and safe to ride.

Can I register a motocross bike for the road?

Sometimes, but not just with a receipt and V55/5. You need identity, ownership, NOVA/import status if imported, road-use equipment and the correct approval or MOT route.

Can I road-register a pit bike?

Only if it can meet the same registration, identity, approval and road-use requirements as another motorcycle or moped. Many pit bikes are sold for off-road use only.

Can I road-register a quad bike?

Possibly, but the quad must fit a registerable vehicle category and meet identity, approval, tax, insurance and road-use requirements.

Can I use a NOVA reference from another vehicle?

No. NOVA evidence must relate to the vehicle you are registering, especially the VIN or chassis number.

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.

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.

How long does IVA take before V55/5?

GOV.UK says DVSA will usually offer an IVA inspection within 20 working days where possible. You still need the pass certificate before registering if IVA is required.

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 my IVA certificate details differ from the V55/5?

Resolve the mismatch before posting. The approval certificate, V55/5, NOVA and identity documents should describe the same vehicle.

What if NOVA has the wrong VIN or chassis number?

Do not ignore it. The HMRC import record, vehicle identity documents, MOT or approval evidence and V55/5 need to identify the same vehicle.

What if the chassis number is unreadable?

Treat it as a serious identity problem. DVLA must be able to confirm the vehicle identity before registration.

What if the imported vehicle is seriously damaged before IVA?

Check before paying for approval. GOV.UK says you cannot register and tax a seriously damaged imported vehicle and will not be refunded approval money.

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.

What if the vehicle has no VIN plate?

Do not proceed casually. DVLA may need to inspect the vehicle and confirm its identity if the VIN evidence is weak.

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.

What if the import documents show a different colour?

Use the vehicle’s current colour on the V55/5, but explain and evidence any mismatch if the documents show a different colour.

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.

Filling in box 32 right now?

Our guided V55/5 tool validates this box against DVLA rules as you type — and every other box too. £14 one-time, full refund if the DVLA rejects it.

Start your V55/5 →