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Part of Buy a vehicle: step by step

Vehicle registration

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Reconstructed classic vehicles

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

You can get either:

  • an age-related registration number
  • a ‘Q’ registration number

How to register

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

You must include the following with your application:

You can find a list of vehicle owners’ clubs on Register a vehicle under its original registration number.

DVLA can only recognise your vehicle as a reconstructed classic vehicle if it meets certain criteria. It must be:

  • built from genuine period components from more than one vehicle, all over 40 years old and of the same specification as the original vehicle
  • a true reflection of the vehicle make and model (known as the ‘marque’)
  • inspected by a vehicle owners’ club

If your vehicle has a combined chassis and bodyshell

Combined chassis and bodyshell vehicles (also known as ‘monocoque bodyshell’ vehicles) must always be built with genuine period components from more than one vehicle, all over 40 years old.

If your vehicle has a separate chassis and bodyshell

If an original bodyshell is not available, a newly built replacement bodyshell can be used. It must be of the same specification as it would have been when the vehicle was in production. All other components must be genuine period components over 40 years old, including the chassis.

Get a vehicle owners’ club inspection

The appropriate vehicle owners’ club for the marque must inspect the vehicle and confirm in writing that it:

  • has been inspected
  • is a true reflection of the marque

They must also give manufacture dates for the major components.

DVLA will assign an age-related registration number to the vehicle based on the youngest component used (excluding a newly built replacement bodyshell).

Get a Q registration number

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

Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a ‘Q’ prefix 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

This page is 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 is not 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 do not 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 do not have to pay vehicle tax
    3. Tax your vehicle