Continued From RR 1


A guide to the scheme, which includes:

? Left hand drive vehicle
? Personally imported vehicles
? Amateur-built vehicles
? Vehicles manufactured in very low volume
? Vehicles manufactured using parts from a registered vehicle
? Disabled person’s vehicles
? Rebuilt vehicles
? Hearses
? Armoured vehicles
? Vehicles outside the above classes.

What is the Single Vehicle Approval scheme?
The Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme provides pre-registration inspection of
vehicles less than 10 years old that have not been ‘type-approved’ to UK or European
Union (EU) standards. Its main purpose is to ensure that these vehicles have been
designed and constructed to acceptable safety and environmental standards before they
are used on public roads. SVA is also available on a voluntary basis for manufacturers and
importers of motor caravans and ambulances.
There are two types of test: - Standard and Enhanced. Details of these tests are explained
in this booklet.
From 31st March 2004 the SVA scheme will also apply to Light Goods Vehicles.

Why is SVA needed?

SVA checks that vehicles constructed for non-EU markets comply with Northern Ireland
law. Even vehicles outwardly similar to EU-specification models – but meant for other
markets – may be unsuitable for use in Northern Ireland without modifications. SVA will
recognise foreign systems and components that meet SVA technical standards.
SVA will also improve the construction of kit cars and other amateur-built vehicles by
ensuring that, over time, they will meet the safety and environmental standards of today’s
production cars.

Will SVA affect you?

Your vehicle will need SVA inspection if it is not already type-approved to UK or EU
standards, and is a car or light passenger vehicle (including dual-purpose vehicles) with:
? 4 or more wheels and 9 seats or fewer including the driver's seat; or
? 3 wheels, 9 seats or fewer including the driver's seat, and a maximum gross weight of
more than 1000kg; or
? 3 wheels, a maximum gross weight of 1000kg, an unladen weight of more than 410kg
(i.e., not a motorcycle), and either a design speed of more than 50kph (31mph) or an
engine capacity of more than 50cc.

Or is a light goods vehicle, manufactured on or after 31st March 2004 (including tractor
units of articulated vehicles) with:

? 3 or more wheels, and
? a design gross weight of not more than 3,500kg,
or
? three or more wheels, and
? a design gross weight more than 3,500kg but not more than 5,500kg, and
? down plated to a design gross weight of 3,500kg, and
? a kerbside weight not more than 3,425kg, and
? belonging to the same family of types as at least one vehicle granted a Department’s
Approval Certificate under the above goods or passenger categories.
NOTE: “Family of types” means, one of the same manufacturer, the same basic
chassis/floor plan, and the same power plant e.g. Internal
combustion/Electric/Hybrid.
The vehicle will be in at least one of the following 10 classes:
1. Left hand drive vehicles (L)
2. Personally imported vehicles not type-approved in the UK or EU (P)
A vehicle is a personally imported vehicle if:
• it has been imported by a person entering the UK; and
• at the time the vehicle was imported, the person had been normally resident
outside the UK for a continuous period of at least 12 months; and
• the person intends to become normally resident in the UK; and
• the vehicle has been in the person’s possession and used by him or her in the
country where he or she has been normally resident for a period of at least 6
months before being imported; and
• the vehicle is intended for his or her personal or household use in the UK.
In the case of a “Personal Import” vehicle the application must be supported by
original documentation confirming that the applicant has been resident in a country
other than the UK for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and that the
vehicle has been in the possession of and used by that person for a period of 6
months before its importation. An original Customs & Excise form C&E 388 may be
acceptable for this purpose

If you are importing or buying such a vehicle, you should check, before purchase,
that you are fully satisfied with the warranty, servicing arrangements, availability of
spare parts, product liability and recall arrangements. Please also check that your
vehicle insurance is valid in such circumstances.
3. Amateur-built vehicles (A)

To qualify as amateur-built, a vehicle must be constructed or assembled for your own
personal use, and:

• the construction/assembly or a substantial part of it must have been carried out by
you or others acting on your behalf; and
• during its construction/assembly, neither you nor any of the others involved
carried on a business in which motor vehicles are normally constructed or
assembled.
When you apply for an SVA inspection under this class, you may need to provide
evidence to confirm compliance. This could include receipts for parts used in the
work.
An amateur-built vehicle will only need SVA if the Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Northern Ireland (DVLNI) decides it has a new identity. At present, DVLNI gives
these vehicles a vehicle registration mark from the current series or a 'Q' prefix.
Those allowed to keep the donor vehicle’s registration mark will not require SVA.
For more information, contact DVLNI Enquiry Section or any Local Vehicle
Licensing Office.
4. Vehicles manufactured in very low volume (VLV) (V)
A vehicle is defined as VLV if:
• 200 or fewer vehicles of the family of types to which it belongs were manufactured
anywhere in the world in any 12-month period within the 36-month period
immediately before the month it was manufactured; or
• 20 or fewer vehicles of the type variant to which it belongs were manufactured
anywhere in the world in any 12-month period within the 36-month period
immediately before the month it was manufactured.
VLV approvals are only available to manufacturers.
For small-scale manufacturers, VLV is a convenient low-cost alternative to
establishing a vehicle's fitness to enter service.

5. Vehicles manufactured using parts of a registered vehicle (C)
This is where a manufacturer builds a vehicle that has an engine previously used in
another registered vehicle and also has at least one of the following parts from that
registered vehicle:
• Chassis;
• Body;
• Suspension;
• Axle;
• Transmission;
• Steering assembly.
There is no limit to the number of such vehicles that can apply for SVA.
When you apply, you must provide supporting evidence of the parts used and
satisfactory details of the donor vehicle.
6. Disabled person’s vehicles (D)
This means vehicles adapted or specially constructed to enable a disabled person to
travel in safety and reasonable comfort as driver or passenger.
Subject to consultation it is likely that Disabled Persons Vehicles will become subject
to the Enhanced SVA requirements later in 2004.
Please contact DVTA’s SVA Section for further information.
7. Rebuilt vehicles (S)
This means a vehicle rebuilt using a replacement chassis or body of the same design
and construction as the original vehicle had, and which requires a new vehicle
identification number. Such a vehicle must not be amateur-built or manufactured
using parts of a registered vehicle.
8. Hearses (M)
This means vehicles intended for carrying the dead and having special equipment for
this purpose.
9. Armoured vehicles (T)

This means a vehicle complying with the armour anti-bullet requirements.
10. Vehicles outside the above classes (R)
This means vehicles that are not type-approved in the UK or EU and do not fall
within classes 1-9, e.g. vehicles imported on a commercial basis.
From 31st March 2004 these vehicles must undergo an Enhanced SVA (ESVA) test.
This requires you to satisfy the Department by documentary evidence that certain
key testable items comply with the relevant European Community Instruments or
equivalent ECE Regulations.
Vehicles that have an EC Type Approval number on the VIN plate but do not have
a Certificate of Conformity may use the enhanced test as a route to registration.
DVTA will check that the number provided to them by the customer with the
vehicle manufacturer to see if the vehicle is type approved to the required EC type
approval standards. Once this is confirmed and if the vehicle has travelled less than
3,000km then the vehicle will be checked for the EC Type Approval number as well
as a number of ‘E’ or ‘e’ markings on certain components. This test is charged as a
separate fee from the normal ESVA test. If the vehicle has travelled more than
3,000km then a standard SVA test will also be carried out and the enhanced fee will
be due. However the vehicle manufacturer is not obliged to provide this information
or the approval may not extend to all required components. In both cases other
evidence of compliance will be required and this will mean that the full EVSA fee
will be due.

Will foreign single vehicle approvals be recognised? (E)

If your vehicle has been single vehicle approved by another EEA Member State to
standards equivalent to those of UK SVA, it is eligible for a Department’s Approval
Certificate on that basis.
This foreign approval is known as an “E Certificate”.
You must provide evidence of the actual standards to which the vehicle was tested by or
on behalf of the authorities in question.
Alternatively, the vehicle may be tested to UK SVA requirements by certain organisations
in other Member States. For information about this procedure, please contact DVTA’s
SVA Section at the address given at the end of this booklet

What is tested?

Most of the items inspected in the SVA scheme are those that are tested when
manufacturers apply for type-approval of mass-produced vehicles. The following table
lists the items inspected for the two levels of SVA. All the items for Standard SVA are
checked at the DVTA test centre. However, items for ESVA cannot be tested at the test
centre: you will have to produce documentary evidence of compliance as explained below.


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How are the vehicles tested?

Standard SVA

For standard SVA, all the inspections are undertaken at selected DVTA testing centres
Although the same items are tested as in National Type Approval they are not tested in
the same way. To keep the fee to a level affordable by individuals the examiner will
conduct an engineering assessment. This check will be in the form of either visual
inspection or a simple test on the vehicle to ensure that it complies with the regulations.
The inspection will be limited to parts of the vehicle, which can be readily seen without
dismantling. However, the presenter may be asked to open lockable compartments and
remove engine covers, inspection/access panels, trims or carpeting. This is to allow
access to items subject to inspection. Also, because vehicles are inspected individually the
tests are not destructive or damaging in any way.
A Department's Approval Certificate (DAC) under SVA is issued when the examiner is
satisfied that the vehicle would meet the requirements of the regulations in relation to the
design and construction of the vehicle. Unlike the MOT, the inspection it is not primarily
concerned with vehicle condition (although poor condition may make it impossible to
assess whether some construction requirements are met).

Enhanced SVA (ESVA)

For Enhanced SVA, some items cannot be tested by the DVTA because special facilities
are required. (Also, from October 2003, evidence of crashworthiness will be required,
which cannot be tested on single vehicles). For such items, you will have to provide
additional documentary evidence that your vehicle complies with the "type approval"
standards required of mass-produced cars in Europe.
In some cases, evidence of compliance with an acceptable comparable foreign standard
will be acceptable. Full details are contained in the SVA Inspection Manual - see below. If
you cannot provide such evidence, the vehicle will have to be taken to an accredited test
laboratory for a report to be produced. Please contact The Vehicle Certification Agency
for information about any accreditations of such laboratories since the publication of this
booklet (see address on the last page). The cost of such tests must be borne by the
applicant and will be set by the relevant test laboratory.
For individuals or businesses wishing to submit several models of the same kind, there is
a streamlined "Model Report" procedure. Once a vehicle has been shown to meet the
ESVA requirements either by documentary evidence or test laboratory reports a “Model
Report” can be generated. This report can be used as the basis for submitting other
identical vehicles, which will be examined to confirm that they are the same as the first
vehicle and align to the original model report.
If an individual or a business wish to use an existing model report to test a single vehicle
or number of vehicles then they may obtain permission to do so by contacting the owner
of an existing report. There is usually a fee to pay for this although this is agreed between
the two parties and neither DVTA nor DVLNI are involved. The permission granted by
the report owner is either for specific vehicles identified by VIN number or the total use
of the report for any number of vehicles.
When applying for an ESVA test utilising an existing model report a copy of the written
permission must accompany the application form. DVTA cannot provide details of
owners of model reports and it is down to the customer to contact the owner and arrange
use of a report.  

Vehicles Imported From Japan
Where vehicles have been imported from Japan, evidence that the vehicle was approved
there will be taken to confirm that the vehicle meets some of the requirements. For a used
vehicle, an original de-registration document that demonstrates the vehicle has been
allocated a “type designation number” and a “variant number” will serve this purpose
providing the vehicle has not been modified (since manufacture) in respect of any of the
SVA relevant items in a way that is likely to have a detrimental effect on the original
approval. Where the vehicle is new, a manufacturers certificate of completion will be
sufficient evidence of compliance, again providing it displays the type designation details
and the vehicle has not had any detrimental modifications in respect of the relevant SVA
items. The extent to which further independent tests (i.e. not capable of being conducted
at the test centre) need to be conducted will depend mainly on the age of the vehicle.

Where a vehicle has a date of manufacture on or after 1 January 1997, additional evidence
will need to be needed to demonstrate that the vehicle is capable of meeting the emissions
and noises standards. Additionally in the case of a forward control vehicle having a date
of manufacture on or after 1 October 1997, the protective steering requirements that
apply in Europe after that date. The evidence will be provided from an authorised test
laboratory confirming that the vehicle has been tested in accordance with the
requirements of the relevant emissions and noise Directives. This is because the standards
in Europe are demanding than they are in Japan. It is likely that some modifications will
be needed to achieve the European standards.
If the vehicle was built before 1997, compliance with all the requirements can be
confirmed by either one of the documents mentioned above, unless the vehicle is a 4x4
with a separate chassis. In these cases, evidence of Japanese approval will need to be
supported by a report from an authorised test laboratory confirming that the design of the
steering wheel, steering column and structure forward of the A-post are the same as a
vehicle with European type approval. The reason of the additional test is because the
protective steering standards in Japan are less demanding than those in Europe.
Vehicles imported from Countries other than Japan
There are also some standards in other countries that are recognised as being sufficiently
similar to those that apply in Europe, such as safety standards that apply in the United
States, Canada and Australia. On the other hand, vehicles produced for use in developing
countries are unlikely to have been built to standards that we are prepared to recognise as
being comparable to those in Europe. Examples of such vehicles will probably require
testing by an authorised laboratory to most of the enhanced requirements (including
destructive tests) before a Department’s Approval Certificate can be issued. Modifications
will almost certainly be required, and it is possible that some vehicle types cannot be
converted economically to comply with European standards. Remember though that lefthand
drive vehicles only require a standard SVA examination.
Anti-Theft Requirement
All vehicles manufactured after 1 October 1998 will require an immobiliser approved to
EC standards or equivalent to be fitted, together with a certificate from an approved
installer.

Environmental Standards

Emissions Testing
If evidence can be provided that a vehicle which has a date of manufacture on or after 1
January 1997 complies with US, Canadian, Japanese or any other standard which requires
control of evaporative emissions, only the Type 1 test specified in the relevant emissions
directive needs to be carried out. This must be carried out in accordance with the relevant
Directive but with the following exceptions:

It has been agreed that:
? The applicant may choose to submit a vehicle that has not completed 3,000 km
of running in;
? The test should be carried out with the tank filled to capacity with UK pump
fuel;
? For vehicles for which a model report is not required (see below), only one test
is needed provided each pollutant is within the limit value for that test.
Deterioration factors (to compensate for 80,000 km) will not be applied;
? For vehicles for which a model report is required, the deterioration factors (as
prescribed in the Directive) will be applied to new vehicles (i.e. less than 3,000
km), but for older vehicles, they will be applied on a reducing pro-rata basis with
the recorded distance up to 80,000 km after which no deterioration factor is
applied.
Noise Testing
The Directive procedures (drive-by and static tests) will apply except that the exhaust
silencer(s) do not require pre-conditioning. The only exception to the requirement for a
drive-by test would be if the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of an
authorised laboratory that the vehicle is identical to an EC type approved model in all
relevant respects and that the Directive static noise test on the vehicle gives a result no
higher than for the type approved model.

Authorised Test Laboratories
The services that test laboratories may provide are:

? Testing, to noise and emissions requirements that are applicable at the time of
manufacture of the vehicle;
? Production of documents (drawings, photos) to enable DVTA examiners to be
able to identify (without dismantling) vehicles that are sufficiently similar to the
subject vehicle that had undergone the tests;
? Back to back examination of vehicles, for which there is a claim of EC
specification but for which no evidence of type approval exists, against an EC
type approved vehicle, which is of the same specification, and the production of
a model report.
? In some cases if required, testing to braking, seat belts anchorages and protective
steering requirements.
Laboratories that have been authorised for ESVA testing are listed on the application
form SVA1 which is available from the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency. In addition, any
laboratory from another country, which is already recognised by the Vehicle Certification
Agency (VCA) as a Type Approval Technical Service, may also carry out this work.
NB The cost of such tests must be borne by the applicant. An emissions CO2/fuel consumption test is
expected to cost about £500 but you should check with the laboratory concerned.
Model Reports for Identical Vehicles
A model report is a collection of documents provided by the applicant where subsequent
applications are proposed for identical vehicles or those with a very similar specification.
The purpose of a model report is to enable an examiner to check that the specification of
subsequent vehicles is the same as the one tested in the laboratory. The Vehicle &
Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in Great Britain will be responsible for compiling
model reports, although the applicant will own them. DVTA have an agreement with
VOSA to enable the use of model reports by DVTA customers where the appropriate
permissions have been obtained from the report owner. VOSA envisage that most model
reports will consist of test reports and vehicle specification details from the test
laboratory. For some vehicles e.g. where comparison on protective steering is required,
the laboratory will provide evidence to support the similarity of a non type-approved
vehicle with one that has full type approval. Where a vehicle is considered to be a “UK”
specification, that is the same as a vehicle that has a European approval, the laboratory
can again undertake a comparison test, for example, on seat belt anchorages and brakes in
addition to the emissions and noise tests that may be required.
Model reports have considerable commercial value. The confidentiality of model reports
will be protected to ensure that only those staff with a need to know their contents are
able to see them. However, applicants can, if they so wish, allow the use of model reports
by others. DVTA will only use such reports where there is a written agreement between
both parties and a copy of the agreement is available with the application.
Individual (one-off) Vehicles
An ESVA test may be conducted without the need for a model report. The advantage of
this arrangement for the applicant is that they would require the laboratory to provide less
documentation at lower cost. A model report would not be needed where the vehicle
presenter just has a single vehicle (of a given type) to submit for an ESVA examination.
The vehicle would have to pass the relevant type approval test at an authorised test
laboratory. DVTA would have to see the satisfactory test report, and would conduct a
basic SVA examination plus a check that the vehicle had the same identity as that tested at
the laboratory.
For some vehicles, a model report containing additional documents will be necessary. If
the other key areas are not covered by approvals that we are able to recognise, then a
back-to-back comparison examination will be required by an authorised test laboratory in
each of the areas not covered by a recognised approval. The report of the comparison will
then form the model report for that vehicle, together with the reports on the emissions
and noise tests.

Compliance Checks

Because model reports contain only certain details that examiners can check, DVTA may
select a subsequent vehicle that has been presented for test on the basis of a model report
for a full examination at an authorised test laboratory. When a vehicle is selected for this
it is known as a ‘Compliance Check’. The purpose of the check is to ensure that the model
report allows DVTA to identify components or features on the vehicle that could affect
the result of an enhanced test and to confirm that subsequent vehicles submitted on a
model report are to the same specification as that of the original vehicle that was the basis
on which the report was created.
If the outcome of the check is that the vehicle passed the relevant tests and was of the
same specification as that originally tested then no action will be taken. Where the vehicle
passed the tests but there were inconsistencies in the vehicle specification, then the model
report may need expanding to include additional critical items that would be checked
during future use of a model report. Finally if the vehicle failed the tests by more than a
specified tolerance, it will mean that the model report can no longer be used.
DVTA will compensate the customer for the cost of their transport from the DVTA test
centre to their residence or place of work. However the vehicle will unavailable for the
period of time required for testing (approximately 4 to 6 weeks).
SVA Inspection Manual
DVTA use the same Inspection Manual as the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency
(VOSA) in GB. Full details of what is tested and how is described in VOSA's SVA
Inspection Manual. A copy can be purchased from:

VOSA
P O Box 12
SWANSEA
SA1 1BP

What does the SVA test cost?

For Passenger Cars

Standard SVA test                                          £200
Standard SVA test with E Certificate                  £80
Enhanced SVA test with model report               £265
Enhanced SVA test without model report          £255
E Certificate & ESVA test with model report       £120
E Certificate & ESVA test without model report  £110

ESVA for new vehicle with EC
Whole Vehicle Type Approval without a
Certificate of Conformity (CoC)                         £50
Re-test for SVA or ESVA                                 £45
Re-test for a vehicle with EC Whole Vehicle
Type Approval but no CoC                              £10
Cancelled Test application? Full fee
Duplicate/replacement certificate                     £10.00
For Goods Vehicles
Standard SVA Test                                        £85
Standard SVA Test with E Certificate               £80
Enhanced SVA Test with model report            £125
Enhanced SVA test without model report        £115
E Certificate & ESVA test with model report     £120
E Certificate & ESVA test without model report £110
ESVA for new vehicle with EC
Whole Vehicle Type Approval without a
Certificate of Conformity (CoC)                       £50
Retest for SVA and ESVA                              £21
Re-test for a vehicle with EC Whole Vehicle
Type Approval but no CoC                            £10
Cancelled Test Application? Full Fee
Duplicate/replacement Certificate                   £10

Full details of SVA fees are available from the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA).
The fees may change.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, you must give us at least 1 clear days notice.
Failure to do so will result in the loss of your fee.

How do I apply for a test?

The first step is to decide what class the vehicle is in and whether SVA inspection is
required. If you know the vehicle class and are sure inspection is required, you can apply
for SVA direct to DVTA. Otherwise you should apply to DVLNI for vehicle registration.
DVLNI will assess the application and decide on vehicle class and if SVA is required.

DVLNI may need you to provide documentary evidence to help make its decision.

If DVLNI decides that SVA is required, it will send you an SVA application form by
return of post. Forms are available from DVLNI and DVTA offices. The completed SVA
application form should be returned with documentary supporting evidence and the fee
to:

DVTA
SVA Section
Balmoral Road
BELFAST
BT12 6QL

You will then be sent an appointment letter stating the time and place of the test.

The SVA application form will ask you to provide certain technical details about the
vehicle, such as its maximum speed, maximum design weights and unladen weight. You
may be able to get these details from the manufacturer's vehicle handbook, the
manufacturer or its agent. DVTA may check stated design weights against certain criteria
to ensure they are realistic. If you do not state these weights, DVTA may establish them
using the same criteria. Any documentary evidence of the standards to which the vehicle
was originally approved will always be helpful and must be provided for certain ESVA
items as described previously.

If you wish to utilise an existing model report you must provide DVTA with the number
of the model report you wish to use along with a copy of the written permission from the
report owner authorising it’s use.

If your vehicle does not have a manufacturer's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN),
which is normally stamped on the chassis, manufacturer’s data plate under the bonnet or
around the door aperture you will have to apply to your nearest Local Vehicle Licensing
Office for one to be assigned before the SVA inspection. DVLNI officials may wish to
inspect the vehicle to check that it is not stolen.

You will be allowed to travel (within the UK) to and from the test centres for the prearranged
appointment without the vehicle having been registered and licensed and, if
necessary, to and from a pre-arranged appointment at a garage or other place where
modifications are done to enable compliance with the requirements. You are responsible
for ensuring that you have insurance cover and that the vehicle complies with the
requirements of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (NI) 1999 and the
Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (NI) 2000 when driven to and from the test location.
Otherwise, driving or keeping an unregistered vehicle on a public road is an offence.

Where will the test be?

All Passenger Car and Light Goods Vehicle SVA inspections will take place at
Newtownards Test Centre, initially (address on last page).

Under what circumstances may my vehicle be refused a test?

SVA inspection may be refused for any of the following reasons:

• the vehicle is not presented for examination at the stated time and place;
• the wrong vehicle is presented;
• the appropriate fee has not been paid;
• the vehicle cannot be driven or has insufficient fuel or oil to enable the test to be
completed;
• the vehicle is presented in a dangerous or such a dirty condition that the test is not
feasible;
• a load or items on the vehicle are not secured or removed as required;
• a proper examination cannot be carried out because any door, tailgate, boot lid, engine
cover, fuel cap or other device designed to be readily opened cannot be opened;
• the condition of the vehicle (in the opinion of the examiner) is such that its proper
examination would involve a danger of injury to any person or damage to the vehicle
or any other property;
• the vehicle does not display, permanently, in an accessible position and readily legible,
the required vehicle identification number;
• the driver does not remain in the vehicle or its vicinity and operate the controls etc. as
requested.
• the vehicle is already registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.

What happens afterwards?

If your vehicle passes the SVA test, you will get a Department's Approval Certificate. With
this, you can go to any Local Vehicle Licensing Office to get your vehicle registered and
licensed.

If your vehicle fails the SVA test, you will be allowed to take your vehicle away for repairs
and modification. You can then apply for subsequent retests within six months of the
date of the original full test.

As mentioned earlier, the vehicle user will remain responsible for ensuring that the vehicle
continues to comply with all relevant ‘Construction and Use’ and ‘Lighting’ Regulation
requirements. However, for vehicles, which have obtained a Department’s Approval
Certificate, several existing requirements may be relaxed. For instance, they will not need
EU type-approved components such as lamps, mirrors, seat belts and glazing, if they
remain fitted with the same components as when inspected at SVA – these having been
assessed as providing an equivalent level of safety.

What documents are needed to register the vehicle?

DVLNI will need:

? Department's Approval Certificate
? Completed V55/4 or V55/5 application form along with documentation confirming
applicant’s name and address
? Insurance certificate/cover note
? The appropriate registration and vehicle excise duty fee

In certain circumstances, the following will also be needed:

? V25 Declaration of Personal Importation or Declaration of Newness
? VAT documents – evidence of payment of, or intention to pay, VAT, including
invoice
? An original Customs & Excise form 386, 388 or 389
? An MOT certificate if the vehicle is 4 years old or more.
? A Goods Vehicle Certificate if the vehicle is 3 years old or more
? From 1st January 2004 anyone registering a used or imported vehicle not previously
registered in Northern Ireland needs to produce identification at a DVLNI Office.

How do I get more information?

For general advice on SVA, please contact:


DVLNI
County Hall
Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3TA
Tel 028 7034 1461

For information on the test procedure and standards, please contact:

DVTA
SVA Section
Balmoral Road
BELFAST
BT12 6QL
Tel 028 90541841
DVTA’s Fee Information Line: 0845 7581416

The test is currently available at the following centre:

DVTA
Jubilee Road
Newtownards
BT23 4XP
Tel 028 91813064

For information on accredited test laboratories, please contact:

The Vehicle Certification Agency
1 The Eastgate Office Centre
Eastgate Road
Bristol
BS5 6XX
Tel: 0117 951 5151
Fax: 0117 952 4103

Massive thanks  go to High Tower and His Wife  from BTW  for their  assistance.with these updated  rules.