Can I keep an unregistered import on the road?
Reviewed 2026-07-10
Short answer
No. Keep it off-road until the import, registration, tax and insurance steps are complete, apart from narrow pre-booked test journeys.
Official position
GOV.UK says you can be prosecuted if you use an imported vehicle on a public road before completing the permanent import steps, unless driving it to a pre-booked MOT or vehicle approval test. DVLA gives the registration number so number plates can be made after registration.
What to do
Use private land, a garage, storage unit or workshop while HMRC, approval and DVLA steps are pending.
Transport the vehicle rather than parking or leaving it on the highway.
Only use the road for a documented pre-booked MOT or approval test if insured and roadworthy.
Wait for DVLA registration before treating it as a normal road vehicle.
Common mistakes
- Parking the vehicle on the street because it is insured on the VIN.
- Assuming a submitted V55/5 means DVLA has already registered the vehicle.
- Using foreign plates as a holding position after importing permanently.
Related help
Official sources
Next step
Put this answer into your registration route
Your free registration route uses your NOVA, approval, MOT and document status to show what is ready, what is missing and what to do next.