The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

All vehicles need to be approved to make sure they meet certain safety and environmental standards.

Normally, the manufacturer or importer will take care of this.

However, your vehicle might not have approval, and you might need to apply for it. Examples of when this might happen include if you’ve:

• built a vehicle
• rebuilt a vehicle
• radically altered a vehicle
• reconstructed a classic vehicle
• imported a vehicle

There are different ways you can get approval for a single or small number of vehicles:

• Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) - if you’re making or importing a single vehicle or a very small number of vehicles
• Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) - if you’re making or importing a single special purpose goods vehicle of 3,500kgs or less
• Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) - if you’re making or importing a single 2, 3 or smaller 4-wheeled vehicle
• Mutual Recognition scheme - if you’re importing a vehicle that’s been approved and registered in the European Union

Type approval

This is to get approval for a type of vehicle instead of having each individual vehicle approved.

• European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) – used by manufacturers or importers of large numbers of vehicles or those selling in Europe
• European Small Series Type Approval (ESSTA) – used by manufacturers or importers of very low numbers of specific cars
• National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA) scheme - used by manufacturers or importers of modest numbers of vehicles

Help with type approval enquiries

Contact the DVSA if you need help or information about:

• IVA
• SVA
• MSVA

DVSA
enquiries@vosa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 9000

Contact the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) if you need help or information about:

• ECWVTA
• ESSTA
• NSSTA
• Mutual Recognition scheme

VCA
enquiries@vca.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 330 5797

Find out about call charges.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

You don’t need vehicle approval for:

• heavy goods vehicles (more than 3,500kg maximum weight) over 25 years old
• light goods vehicles (3,500kg maximum weight or less) over 10 years old
• cars and minibuses with 8 passenger seats or less (not including the driver) over 10 years old
• buses, coaches and minibuses with more than 8 passenger seats (not including the driver) built by a single manufacturer before 29 July 2010
• buses, coaches and minibuses with more than 8 passenger seats (not including the driver) with different body and chassis manufacturers, made before 29 July 2011
• tracked vehicles, eg a vehicle that runs on tracks rather than wheels
• vehicles designed and constructed for use on construction sites, quarries, ports and airports
• vehicles designed and constructed for and used by the armed services, fire and rescue forces, or used in maintaining public order

If your vehicle needs approval, you must send proof of this in when you apply to register it. The DVLA won’t register your vehicle if you don’t.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Who can use the scheme?

You can use the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme if you’re making or importing a single vehicle or a very small number of vehicles in the following categories:

• passenger cars
• light goods vehicles (up to 3,500kg)
• buses and coaches
• medium to heavy goods vehicles (more than 3,500kg)
• trailers
• special purpose vehicles, eg vehicles specially designed to hold a wheelchair

You can't use the Statutory IVA scheme if your vehicle has been registered before in the UK - you'll need to use Voluntary IVA instead.

Vehicle identification number

Your vehicle needs a vehicle identification number (VIN) before having an IVA inspection. Apply to DVLA if it doesn't have one.

VC15A/MASET
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL

Basic and normal IVA

There are 2 levels of IVA inspection: basic and normal.

Basic IVA

Basic IVA involves a visual inspection and other tests to make sure the vehicle meets the necessary standards. You won’t normally need to provide any documentary evidence.

You can apply if you have a passenger car or light goods vehicle in one of these categories:

• left-hand drive vehicles
• personal imports
• amateur built vehicles (kit cars)
• rebuilt vehicles
• very low volume production vehicles
• ambulances
• motor caravans
• hearses
• armoured passenger vehicles
• a vehicle manufactured using parts of a registered vehicle

Read the VOSA guide on the IVA scheme for help to understand these categories.

Normal IVA

You'll have to apply for normal IVA if you don’t meet the criteria for basic IVA,.

This involves a more detailed inspection. Vehicles have to meet extra standards and you’ll have to provide documentary evidence of this.

How to show your vehicle meets IVA standards

There are several ways to prove your vehicle meets IVA standards. Read part 5 of the VOSA guide on the IVA scheme for more details.

Model reports

One way of proving your vehicle is compliant is by showing it's the same specification as another vehicle (a 'master vehicle') that's been proved compliant. You do this using a model report.

If a model report has already been produced for your exact model of vehicle, you may be able to use it for a fee. Look for it on the VOSA list of model reports and their owners.

Otherwise, you'll need to pay for your own tests to be carried out. These must be done by an authorised provider of ‘designated technical services’.

For more information on model reports, see part 11 of the VOSA guide on the IVA scheme.

How to apply

You need to choose the correct application form depending on your type of vehicle. Send it to the address on the form.

Choosing a test station

Your vehicle will be inspected at either one of DVSA’s approved test stations or a privately owned test facility. You should say which one you want to use on your application form.

Cost of the scheme

You have to pay a fee for DVSA to inspect your vehicle.

What happens next

Wherever possible, DVSA will inspect your vehicle at the test location you’ve chosen and issue an Individual Approval Certificate (IAC) if it passes. You'll need to use this certificate when you register your vehicle.

Appeal against a refusal

You can appeal and have a re-examination carried out by an independent inspector if your vehicle doesn’t pass its inspection and you’re not satisfied with the decision.

You must make your appeal within 14 days of the decision and you’ll have to pay a fee. This will be refunded, either partially or fully, if your appeal is successful.

You mustn’t modify the vehicle before the appeal inspection.

You can appeal by downloading and filling in the IVA notice of appeal.

Read part 8 of the VOSA guide on the IVA scheme for more information about appeals.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

VOSA published a series of manuals listing all the technical requirements for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA). (These manuals are still valid following the VOSA and DSA merger.)

There are different manuals for different types of vehicle:

• M1 vehicles - passenger cars
• M2 and M3 vehicles - buses and coaches
• N1 vehicles - light goods vehicles (up to 3,500kgs)
• N2 and N3 vehicles - heavy goods vehicles (over 3,500kgs)
• O1, O2, O3 and O4 vehicles - light and heavy trailers

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Send your application and payment to the address on the form.

Download the forms you need:

• IVA application form and guidance for passenger cars
• IVA application form and guidance for light goods vehicles (up to 3,500kgs)
• IVA application form and guidance for buses or coaches
• IVA application form and guidance for lorries or large goods vehicles
• IVA application form and guidance for trailers
• IVA tilt justification report form for buses and coaches

All passenger vehicles

Download the form for seat belt anchorage compliance.

Amateur built vehicles

If your vehicle is amateur built (eg a kit car), you must send an amateur built declaration along with your IVA application.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

If your vehicle hasn’t been registered before in the UK, use the Statutory Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme.

If your vehicle has been registered in the UK and you need to prove its compliance, use the Voluntary IVA scheme.

Example
A taxi licensing authority may need evidence of compliance if your vehicle has been modified since it was originally registered.

You’ll need to choose whether to use the basic or normal level of Voluntary IVA.

If you drive a taxi, your licensing authority will tell you what level you need to apply for.

How Voluntary IVA works

In general, Voluntary IVA and Statutory IVA are exactly the same. The only differences are:

• you can use Voluntary IVA if your vehicle has already been registered in the UK
• you won’t have the same rights as with Statutory IVA
• you’ll have to pay VAT on the fee

Cost of the schemes

You have to pay a fee for DVSA to inspect your vehicle.

How to apply

To get Voluntary IVA for a passenger car or light goods vehicle (up to 3,500 kg), send a completed application to the address on the form.

Voluntary IVA applications for larger passenger vehicles (such as larger cars and buses), goods vehicles and trailers can be made on the Statutory IVA form.

What happens next?

DVSA will carry out an inspection of the vehicle. If it passes, you’ll get a ‘Confirmation of Compliance’ notification (not an approval certificate).

Find out more

Read the VOSA guide on the IVA scheme.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Who can use the scheme?

The Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme is replacing the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme. From now on, you can use the IVA scheme for any type of vehicle needing type approval except for special purpose light goods vehicles.

Until 29 October 2014, you can still use the SVA scheme for special purpose light goods vehicles that:

• are not more than 3,500kg gross vehicle weight
• need first licensing and registration in the UK
• are less than 10 years old

Application form

Contact DVSA for an application form and to choose a test station.

DVSA
enquiries@vosa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Find out about call charges.

Cost of the scheme

You have to pay a fee for DVSA to inspect your vehicle.

What happens next?

Vehicles that pass an SVA inspection are issued with a ‘Minister's Approval Certificate’ (MAC).

More information

Read the VOSA guide on the SVA scheme.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

When you must use the scheme

To register your motorcycle, 3-wheeled or light 4-wheeled vehicle, it must:

• comply with European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA)
• have a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to prove this

It must be inspected under the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme if it doesn't have a Certificate of Conformity.

You must also use the MSVA scheme if your vehicle has been radically altered or built using a mixture of parts from previously registered vehicles. For example:

• amateur built vehicles
• rebuilt vehicles
• vehicles converted to a different wheelplan

Eligibility for MSVA

You can use the MSVA scheme for vehicles that:

• are under 10 years old
• haven’t been registered before in the UK
• don't have ECWVTA

The following types of vehicle are eligible:

• 2-wheeled mopeds
• 3-wheeled mopeds
• light quadricycles
• solo motorcycles
• motorcycle combinations
• motor tricycles
• heavy quadricycles

These vehicle types are defined in appendix 1 of the MSVA guide, produced by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

Partial MSVA

If you have a Certificate of Conformity (CoC), it will say which side of the road and which speedometer units your vehicle is equipped for.

You must modify your vehicle if it isn't equipped for use in Great Britain. It will then need a Partial MSVA to check the following items:

• headlamp dipped beam pattern - this checks the headlamp is suitable for driving on the left
• speedometer - the speed must be shown in miles per hour (mph) or dual mph and kilometres per hour
• mirror location - on mopeds fitted with a single mirror, the mirror must be fitted to offside (right) of the vehicle

Read more in Partial MSVA frequently asked questions.

Vehicle identification number

Your vehicle needs a vehicle identification number before having an MSVA inspection. Write to the following address if it doesn't have one.

VC15A/MASET
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL

Cost of the scheme

You have to pay a fee for DVSA to inspect your vehicle.

Choose a test station

Your vehicle will be inspected by DVSA at one of their approved test stations. You can choose which one as long as it inspects the category of vehicle you want to be tested.

The application form

Print off and fill in the MSVA application form.

Print off and fill in the Partial MSVA application form.

What happens next

DVSA will inspect your vehicle at the test station you’ve chosen and issue a Minister’s Approval Certificate (MAC) if it passes. You'll need to use this certificate when you register your vehicle.

Appeals

You can appeal for a re-test if your vehicle fails MSVA. You must appeal within 14 days of the original decision by completing form MSVA17 and returning it to the station used for the original test.

You’ll have to pay the test fee again, which will be refunded if the appeal is successful. Contact DVSA to find out how to do this.

More information

Read the guide to the MSVA scheme and the MSVA inspection manual.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Who can use the scheme

If you use a vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats to transport people for profit, also known as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV), it must have been approved or have a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) to register it.

If you use a vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats for private use, you may need to get a Pre-Registration Inspection (PRI).

What vehicles need a COIF

You'll need a COIF for your vehicle if it has more than 8 passenger seats, will be used for profit and either:

• isn’t registered in the UK and was built before the type approval scheme was introduced
• is registered in the UK but doesn’t have a type approval as a passenger vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats

The start dates for this scheme vary depending on the type of vehicle. See page 10 of ghe Individual Vehicle Approval scheme guide for details.

Application form

Send your completed application to the address on the form along with any relevant documents.

Cost of the scheme

You have to pay a fee for DVSA to inspect your vehicle.

What happens next?

Once you’ve submitted your application, it’ll be sent to your nearest certifying officer who’ll arrange for your PSV’s COIF examination to be carried out at one of VOSA’s approved test stations.

Notifiable Alterations

You must send details to DVSA of any alterations or modifications you make to your PSV.

Send your completed application to the address on the form along with any relevant documents.

You don't need to notify DVSA of like-for-like replacement parts.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Some buses and coaches must have accessibility features for wheelchair users, like boarding lifts and ramps, wheelchair spaces and wheelchair restraints.

This affects buses and coaches, which:

• are authorised to carry more than 22 passengers
• carry passengers at separate fares on local or scheduled services
• were first used on or after 31 December 2000

Manufacturers of buses and coaches usually apply for these Accessibility Certificates at the same time as the Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) when the vehicles are first built.

If you have a COIF, but no Accessibility Certificate from the manufacturer, you can apply for one separately. You can also apply for an Accessibility Certificate yourself if you convert a vehicle to be used as a bus or coach.

Accessibility Certificates last the lifetime of the vehicle as long as you don’t make any further alterations to it. Once you have an Accessibility Certificate, accessibility is then checked as part of the vehicle’s annual test.

Fill in form PSVA1 to apply for an Accessibility Certificate. Send it to the following address.

Approvals Section
DVSA
Ellipse
Padley Road
Swansea
SA1 8AN

Fees for the Accessibility Certificate test

You’ll need to check both wheelchair accessibility and general accessibility. Each of these sets of regulations is called a schedule.

Type approval

Alternatively, vehicle manufacturers can apply for type approval, which means an Accessibility Certificate isn’t needed.

Print off and fill in form PSVA6 to apply for type approval.

When an operator gets a vehicle that's been type approved they'll get a Declaration of Conformity from the manufacturer.

Operators then need to send this to DVSA to get a Certification of Conformity.

Approvals Section
DVSA
Ellipse
Padley Road
Swansea
SA1 8AN

Fees for type approval are included on the IVA inspection fees document.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

You have to pay a fee for DVSA to inspect your vehicle.

The cost depends on:

• whether you’re using the standard or voluntary version of the scheme
• the type of inspection (basic or normal)
• the category of vehicle
• the class of vehicle

To find out which category and class your vehicle is in, see annexes 1 and 2 of the VOSA guide to the IVA scheme.

Where to find inspection fees

The VOSA list of inspection fees includes the fees for:

• Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)
• Single Vehicle Approval (SVA)
• Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA)
• Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF)

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

You can apply for a replacement approval certificate. Send your application to the test station where your vehicle was first inspected.