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Guidance

Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: trailers

How trailers are inspected when they're being approved under the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme to make sure they're safe to be used.

Updates to this page

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published:
30 April 2012
Last updated:
5 May 2026
Show all updates

  1. Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: trailers (O1, O2, O3 and O4) (from 11 May 2026).

  2. Added Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: trailers (O1, O2, O3 and O4) (from 15 December 2022)

  3. Added Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: trailers (O1, O2, O3 and O4) (from 5 September 2022)

  4. Updated to latest version of manual.

  5. Updated the manual with changes to the foreword (added references to the trailer registration scheme and the requirements for commercial and international operations), section 05 - steering (added an explanation of which trailer types this section applies to), section 18 - statutory plates (improved information on multi-stage build plates), section 20 - installation of lamps (added a new figure 5 which explains the requirements for measuring lamp separation), and section 48 - masses and dimensions (updated annex 1 column B).

  6. An updated version of the manual has been published.

  7. Added the final version of the IVA inspection manuals for trailers that applies from 10 April 2018 - it clarifies technical standards and adopts best practice.

  8. Added a draft version of the IVA inspection manuals for trailers that will apply from 10 April 2018 - it clarifies technical standards and adopts best practice.

  9. Update to IVA inspection manual

  10. A concession for Lateral protection systems on Centre Axle Trailers, has been added to the Time Bound Concessions part of the Version Control section.

  11. Latest version of the manual reflects changes in processes.

  12. A draft copy of the new version of the manual is a now available to view.

  13. First published.

Documents

Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: trailers (O1, O2, O3 and O4)

PDF, 3.89 MB, 161 pages

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Details

You can use the IVA scheme if you’re making or importing a single trailer or a very small number of trailers

These vehicles are classed as categories O1, O2, O3 and O4 in the EU vehicle categories.

The manual sets out how Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiners will inspect vehicles to make sure they meet the necessary standards.

You can use the manual to find out more about the detailed requirements and processes.

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