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Buying a Car

How do I find a new/used car?

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Can I take my old car to the UK from abroad?

To find out, get in touch with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, tel. 0870 240 0010.

There are international agreements which provide for the temporary use of a vehicle in a foreign country for a limited time, usually 6 months in a 12 month period. A visitor to the UK may use a vehicle displaying foreign plates, provided that all taxes (including vehicle excise duty) are paid in their country of origin.

In order to register your car in the UK you need to:

• Complete form V55/5
• Get a UK insurance certificate (you can use your chassis number)
• Pay a registration fee (£25)
• Pay the road tax
• Get UK MOT
• Get a Type Approval Certificate (from the manufacturer, go to a dealer
• Get registration document of car's original country of purchase
• Evidence of vehicle age (registration document if it is in English)
• Contact Customs and Excise for form VAT414 (tel.: 020 7620 1313)
• Complete form V875 Declaration of Import

Registration offices are listed on the website of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which keeps registers of drivers and vehicles and collects taxation, called Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

How do I find a good car insurance?

will be added later

How do I register my vehicle?

For vehicle licencing and registration, call the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency at 0870 240 0010.

Do I need a British driver's license?

Citizens of the EU or the EEA should get a British driver's licence after 6 months. If you have an International Driver's Licence you may drive around the UK without an British licence for up to a year after starting your UK residence. EU/EEA licence holders are not required to perform a driving test to apply for the British licence.

You can get an official brochure (D100) issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency called "What you need to know about driving licences" or the Driving Licence Application Form (D1, D750) from Post Offices or call the Agency at 0870 240 0009.

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Buying a Car