Once you’ve imported your dream classic, it’s time to register it for use on British roads. Here’s how to navigate your way through an administrative minefield…
Importing a rare and desirable classic into the UK is a tempting prospect for many car enthusiasts, evidenced by the many thousands who do exactly that each year. Getting the vehicle shipped over and delivered onto the mainland is just part of the process, though, and the registration process once it’s finally here can seem quite daunting – especially if you are unsure of what needs to be done.
An influx of cheap new foreign cars from abroad that could destabilise the local motor industry is clearly undesirable, so the HMRC has gone to considerable lengths to prevent this. However, when it comes to classic cars the rules are slightly different. There’s not much economic risk in allowing a decades-old Ford Mustang to putter around between classic shows, and in light of this, there are a number of allowances that make it easier to get your older, freshly imported pride and joy fit for the UK’s roads.
The procedures are still somewhat onerous, though, so we have taken some of the confusion out of them in our handy registration guide.
