Guidance

Apply for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA): trailers

Apply for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) if you’re making or importing a single trailer, or a very small number of trailers.

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published
12 November 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

You must apply to get a trailer approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if it has been:

  • built
  • rebuilt
  • radically altered
  • imported

How much it costs

The fee will depend on the weight of your trailer and whether your test is within working hours.

You can pay online when you apply by:

Check the IVA application fees for trailers.

Apply for IVA for trailers online

You’ll need:

  • the trailer identification number
  • a clear scan or photo of any evidence that supports your application – for example a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
  • your username and password if you’ve used the service before

You can register in the service if you’ve not used it before.

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

What happens next

DVSA will send you an email to let you know the outcome. You’ll usually get a response within 10 working days.

Other ways to apply

The quickest way to apply is to apply online. You can apply by post if you cannot use the online service.

How to apply by post

You can either:

  • download and fill in the application form on your device
  • print the application form and fill it in by hand

IVA application form: trailers

PDF, 2.17 MB, 11 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Read the guidance on filling in the IVA application form (PDF, 714 KB, 8 pages) before filling in the form.

Where to send the form

Send the application by post.

DVSA
Approvals Team
The Ellipse
Padley Road
Swansea 
SA1 8AN

Help with your application

Contact DVSA if you need help with your application.

enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 200 1188
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

Updates to this page

Published 12 November 2025

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