Do Japanese or US imports need IVA?
Reviewed 2026-07-10
Short answer
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.
Official position
GOV.UK says that to get approval for a vehicle not registered in the EU, you apply for Individual Vehicle Approval, or Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval if it is a 2-, 3- or smaller 4-wheeled vehicle. Exemption rules can apply, including some vehicles over 10 years old.
What to do
Check whether the vehicle is registered outside the EU, such as Japan, USA, UAE, Australia or South Africa.
Check whether the vehicle age or category makes it exempt from approval.
For cars and light goods vehicles that need approval, prepare for IVA before V55/5.
For motorcycles, trikes and small quadricycles, check MSVA instead.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Japanese shaken or US title evidence is UK approval.
- Booking only an MOT when IVA is required.
- Ignoring the approval question until after NOVA and V55/5 are ready.
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.