Last reviewed: 6 July 2026

V55/5 form · Box 72

Type Approval Exemption

Box 72 of the DVLA V55/5 form is for type approval exemption.

Answer Yes only if the vehicle does not need evidence of type approval because of how it's constructed (for example, an off-road-only motorcycle). If Yes, you must give the full reason for the exemption. See vehicle approval for which vehicles need approval.

What to enter

Field	Type	Required?
Is the vehicle exempt from type approval? Answer Yes only if the vehicle does not need evidence of type approval because of how it's constructed (for example, an off-road-only motorcycle). If Yes, you must give the full reason for the exemption. See vehicle approval for which vehicles need approval.	select	Optional

Accepted values

Is the vehicle exempt from type approval?

YES — Yes
NO — No

Related V55/5 help answers

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.

Can I use an MOT instead of IVA for an import?

No, not where approval is required. MOT checks roadworthiness; vehicle approval shows the imported vehicle meets environmental and safety regulations for registration.

CoC, IVA or GB conversion IVA: which do I need?

Use the route that matches the vehicle origin, type, age and specification. EU-registered vehicles usually use a CoC; left-hand-drive EU vehicles may need GB conversion IVA; non-EU vehicles often need IVA or MSVA unless exempt.

Do EU imports still need a CoC after Brexit?

Yes, where GOV.UK’s EU-registered vehicle route applies. GOV.UK says to get a European Certificate of Conformity to show approval for an EU-registered vehicle.

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 a left-hand-drive EU import need GB conversion IVA?

Yes, where GOV.UK’s EU-registered vehicle route applies. GOV.UK says left-hand-drive EU-registered vehicles also need a GB conversion IVA certificate.

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 72 type approval exemption?

Only use box 72 when the vehicle is genuinely exempt from type approval, and give the full reason for the exemption.

What do I put in V55/5 boxes 36 and 37 CO2 emissions?

Use the CO2 figures from the Certificate of Conformity, IVA or GB conversion certificate where available. Do not invent figures from online adverts or similar vehicles.

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 if I have no type approval number for V55/5?

Do not invent a type approval number. Use the approval evidence you have, or the correct exemption route if the vehicle is exempt.

What if my Certificate of Conformity is missing?

Do not leave the approval problem unresolved. Try to get a CoC from the manufacturer, or use the correct IVA, GB conversion IVA, MSVA or exemption route.

Which V55/5 boxes can I leave blank?

Only leave a box blank when it genuinely does not apply or the official V355/5 guidance tells you not to complete it for your vehicle type.

Basic IVA vs normal IVA: which one do I need?

Basic IVA applies only to listed categories such as left-hand-drive, personal imports and some rebuilt or amateur-built vehicles. If your vehicle is not in those categories, GOV.UK says you must apply for normal IVA.

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.

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.

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.

Does an imported vehicle speedometer need mph for MOT, IVA or DVLA?

Do not treat this as just a V55/5 box issue. The MOT checks that a required speedometer is fitted and working, while approval routes can require mph or dual mph/kph display.

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 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 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 is a daylight MOT and does DVLA accept it?

A daylight MOT is not a separate DVLA registration category. It usually means a motorcycle is tested with lighting limits or advisories, but DVLA may still need MSVA, import and identity evidence.

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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