Driving a Foreign Registered Car in the UK 

Are you looking for information about driving a foreign car in the UK? Unsure about whether your vehicle is classed as a temporary import? Or perhaps you want to know more about the DVLA regulations for driving imported vehicles on UK roads?

This blog post will cover all you need to know about driving a foreign registered car in the UK. You will discover what you need to do if you are importing your vehicle into the UK for under 6 months, over 12 months, and the rules and regulations surrounding the use of foreign number plates. 

Want to know more about importing a vehicle into an EU country? Want to learn more about whether you need a COC for your vehicle when moving to a new country in Europe? Looking for examples of vehicle registration in the EU or in the UK? Click these links to find out more!

Temporarily Importing Your Vehicle into the UK

If you are planning on visiting the UK for 6 months or less, you may be wondering about the rules and regulations surrounding importing your vehicle, and how you can ensure that you are legally driving your vehicle in the UK for the duration of your visit.

You can usually drive your vehicle in the UK displaying foreign number plates without the need to tax or register your vehicle in the United Kingdom if you meet the following criteria:

• You are visiting the UK and do not plan to live there
• The vehicle you are importing is registered and taxed in its country of origin
• You are only using the vehicle in the UK for 6 months or less

Do I need to pay VAT or Duty to Drive an Imported Vehicle in the UK?

You do not need to pay VAT or Duty on a vehicle if you are temporarily importing the vehicle and you meet the following criteria:

• The vehicle is only for your private use
• You are not planning to become / are not currently a resident of the UK
• You do not sell, lend, or hire the vehicle within the UK 
• You export the vehicle back to its country of origin within 6 months

You will need to tell the HMRC about the arrival of your vehicle within the UK and fill out a C110 form to claim relief from VAT and Duty. You should do this when first arriving into the UK with your vehicle by taking your car through customs via the ‘nothing to declare’ channel.

Can I Use Foreign Number Plates for Longer than 6 Months?

You may be eligible to use your vehicle in the UK with a foreign registration for longer than 6 months if you and your vehicle meet the following criteria:

• You usually live outside of the UK
• You are visiting the UK for a set period of time as a student or a worker
• You claim relief from VAT and Duty by filling out a C110 form. 

When arriving in the country, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will provide you with a customs relief form when you claim relief from VAT and Duty. This should be kept within your vehicle to show police and officials if asked during your time in the UK.

If you stay in the UK after your customs relief expires, you will need to follow the steps on the GOV.UK website surrounding importing a vehicle into the UK. 

Bringing a Vehicle into Northern Ireland

If you are bringing your vehicle into Northern Ireland from an EU country, you will not need to pay VAT or Duty. You may need to obtain a COC certificate for your vehicle. We can help you with that here.

If you are bringing a vehicle into Northern Ireland from outside of the EU, you should follow the steps set out in the Temporarily Importing Your Vehicle into the UK section of this blog, or visit the GOV.UK website. 

Do I Need Q Number Plates for My Vehicle?

You must obtain temporary Q number plates for your vehicle from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you are visiting the UK for up to 6 months and either of the following apply:

• Your vehicle is NOT registered in its country of origin
• The registration plate on your vehicle contains characters not recognised or identifiable in the UK (for example Arabic script.)

If you need to obtain temporary Q plates for your vehicle, you should contact the DVLA. 

When taking your EU registered vehicle abroad you will probably need to get a Certificate of Conformity for your vehicle. EUROCOC are the market leaders in COC mediation, and we make this process very simple. If you need to get a COC for your vehicle, we can help you in a few easy-to-follow steps. Click here to get started! 

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