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

If a car is written off by an insurance company, they will usually tell DVLA so that a ‘VIC marker’ (Vehicle Identity Check marker) can be put on the vehicle record.

If you own or buy the car, having a VIC marker means you can’t get a replacement registration certificate and you won’t be sent the V11 vehicle licence reminder you use to renew your tax disc.

To remove the VIC marker the car needs to pass a VIC test.

The VIC test compares the details DVLA has about the car against the car itself. It takes place at a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) test centre.

To find out if a car has a VIC (Vehicle Identity Check) marker you can:

• make an online vehicle enquiry
• phone DVSA on 0300 123 9000 (find out about call charges).

You'll need to know the car's make and registration mark.

To apply for a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) test fill out form VIC1 and submit it to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

You can download the form and send it online if you're going to pay by debit or credit card or use a DVSA pre-funded account. If you apply online your application will be processed in 3 working days.

Otherwise you can print the form out and apply by post. If you apply by post your application will be processed in 7 working days.

Normal opening hours for VIC ‘sites’ (test centres) are 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4:30pm Friday.

Tests can sometimes be arranged outside these hours - ask about this when you make your payment.

Applying by post

Fill in the VIC1 form and send it to DVSA with the correct fee.

VIC Swansea
DVSA
Ellipse
Padley Road
Swansea
SA1 8AN

DVSA will then contact you with the date and time of your appointment.

*Normal opening hours for VIC sites are 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4:30pm Friday. Tests can sometimes be arranged outside these hours.

When you take your vehicle for a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) test the following must apply:

• the car must be roadworthy and able to be driven under its own power
• the car must have a valid MOT if it needs one (if you’re driving it to the VIC)
• the person driving the car must be insured
• the car must have front and rear number plates (if you’re driving it to the test)

You can get more information on the VIC test in the ‘Application for a Vehicle Identity Check’.

The test takes about 20 minutes and is a check of the car’s identity, not the quality of its repairs.

However, if the VIC inspector notices a serious defect which would make the car dangerous to drive they may issue a ‘prohibition notice’. This means the car can’t be driven until it’s made roadworthy and the prohibition notice is removed.

You can drive your car directly to and from a VIC without a tax disc.

If your car passes its VIC

You'll get a VIC20 pass certificate and DVLA will be told automatically.

The VIC marker will then be taken off your vehicle record and the V5C registration certificate will be marked to show 'substantially repaired and/or accident damaged; identity checked on dd/mm/ccyy'.

If your car fails its VIC

You'll get a VIC failure notice (VIC21) with the reasons for failure. The case will then be investigated by the police or DVLA - this may take several weeks.

If the car's identity is then confirmed you'll get your VIC20 pass certificate.

If the car's identity can't be confirmed the VIC marker will remain on the vehicle record.

You can appeal if you don't agree with the result of a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC).

Fill in a VIC17 'Vehicle Identity Check notice of appeal' form and send to the VIC site station manager with the correct fee.