Vehicle registration

Skip to contents of guide

Kit-converted vehicles

Your vehicle must meet the road vehicles regulations if you use it on the road.

A kit-converted vehicle has had:

  • a kit of new parts added to an existing vehicle, or
  • old parts added to a new kit

The general appearance of the vehicle will change because of the kit.

How to register

You must follow all the instructions for registering a new vehicle.

You’ll need to include the following with your application:

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure about what you need to provide.

Send your application to ‘Kits and Rebuilds’ at DVLA.

Kits and Rebuilds
D9
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ

Keep a vehicle’s original registration number

You can apply to keep a kit converted vehicle’s original registration number if you can prove you’ve used 2 original major parts along with the original unmodified:

  • chassis (car or light van)
  • monocoque bodyshell (car or light van)
  • frame (motorbike)

You can apply for an age-related number if you can prove you’ve used 2 original major parts along with:

  • a new monocoque bodyshell, chassis or frame from a specialist kit manufacturer
  • an altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame from the original vehicle

The registration number will be based on the age of the original vehicle.

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get an age-related registration number.

Get a Q registration number

DVLA will give your vehicle a ‘Q’ prefix registration number if you do not meet the conditions for getting an original or age-related registration number.

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a Q registration number.

Vehicles with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) must never reappear as complete vehicles or be presented for registration, though some components may be recycled. You cannot keep the original registration or vehicle identification number.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Buy a vehicle: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check the vehicle before you buy it

    You'll need the vehicle's registration number, make, model and MOT test number. You also need to see the V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book).

    1. Check the details you've been given match DVLA's information
    2. Check the vehicle's MOT history
    3. Check if the vehicle has been recalled because of a safety issue
    4. Check the log book isn't for a stolen vehicle

  2. Step 2 Buy and register the vehicle

    Once you've bought the vehicle, you have to register it. How you register it depends on whether it has a V5C registration certificate (log book).

    1. Find out how to register your vehicle
    2. Get a vehicle log book if you don't have it £25

  3. and Register for MOT reminders

    You must get an MOT for your vehicle every year once it's 3 years old.

    1. Get a reminder when your MOT is due

  4. Step 3 Insure the vehicle

    You must have insurance before you can use your vehicle on the road.

    1. Check if your vehicle is insured on the Motor Insurance Database
    2. Read about vehicle insurance

  5. Step 4 Tax the vehicle

    You need to tax the vehicle before you can use it on the road.

    1. Check how much you’ll have to pay to tax your vehicle
    2. Check when you don't have to pay vehicle tax
    3. Tax your vehicle