Can I correct NOVA after submission?
Reviewed 2026-07-10
Short answer
You need to contact whoever made the declaration or HMRC support route. Do not send V55/5 with a known NOVA mismatch.
Official position
GOV.UK says HMRC/NOVA must be processed before DVLA registration, and the NOVA/CARS route relies on official documents confirming the VIN or chassis number. If the processed record is wrong, the V55/5 pack may not match the HMRC import record.
What to do
Identify who submitted NOVA: VAT-registered importer, shipping company, customs agent or HMRC CARS.
Compare VIN/chassis, make, model, import date and value across HMRC, customs, title/export and V55/5 evidence.
Ask the submitter or HMRC help route how to correct the specific field.
Keep written correction evidence with the registration pack.
Common mistakes
- Treating a wrong VIN as a harmless typo.
- Changing the V55/5 to match a wrong NOVA record instead of the vehicle.
- Sending a covering letter to DVLA instead of correcting the HMRC-side mismatch.
Related help
Official sources
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