Insurance Cover on Self Import until V5 arrives and plates fitted (1 Viewer)

[DBK]

I play with the rules all of the time, but I can choose not to like them if they are not fair and make no sense.

I guess the basis of the rule is to avoid us all driving around in vehicles registered in say Luxembourg or wherever they pay the lowest vehicle tax. As a uk resident you have to drive a uk registered vehicle. Our politicians decide these taxes, nothing to do with the EU just in case anyone wants to bring that up.

 

[Speve]

It is completely different. They come under "professional" drivers , as do hire car employee's returning cross border hire vehicles & as such have a different set of rules. I.e. An hgv driver in the UK can drive a foreign registered truck for a living if his employer has them. He cannot finish work & go home diving his own foreign registered vehicle though. That is an offence

I think there’s a big question as to whether export plates actually qualify as permanent registration in Germany and also what are the chances of being stopped on your journey home? I took the insurance side of export plates to be the dealer insuring me to export the vehicle, although we paid for them. Just saying and realise it’s a minefield. But have successfully done it as many others have.

 

[bellabee]

When we imported, last year, we pre-arranged a visit to an 'MOT Station' on the way home from Hull. We then left the van on our drive, until we had received British registration. The whole process took about 4 weeks, during which a mobile engineer came to fit the alarm systems required by our insurance company. No problems at all and well worth the savings to be made as compared to purchasing in the UK.

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[sallylillian]

I think there’s a big question as to whether export plates actually qualify as permanent registration in Germany

No they don't.

 

[Speve]

No they don't.

Then you would not be driving a foreign registered vehicle in the UK

 

[Anesta]

I'd like to see the law that states and regulates all of these things. Thus far I've just had bits of info off some DVLA employees and emails with lists of things to do, but nobody has ever mentioned law number X or directive n. Y or else

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[sallylillian]

Then you would not be driving a foreign registered vehicle in the UK

I assumed you were referring to the specific DVLA question if the vehicle had been previously registered. And I suppose yes to your actual question, I had not considered it before

 

[Speve]

I'd like to see the law that states and regulates all of these things. Thus far I've just had bits of info off some DVLA employees and emails with lists of things to do, but nobody has ever mentioned law number X or directive n. Y or else

I think probably the best advice I could give is if you are uncomfortable with doing this yourself use Bundesvan and save your self the worry, but it is very easy to do yourself as long as you don’t over think it and do as others suggest on the forum.

 

[DBK]

Then you would not be driving a foreign registered vehicle in the UK

But you wouldn't be driving a UK registered vehicle either.
I think the law is clear, based on the experience of others. It's a bit like driving a car with an expired MOT, you can take it for a pre-arrange test but you can't just swan around in it.

The problem seems to be getting the insurance.

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[Speve]

But you wouldn't be driving a UK registered vehicle either.
I think the law is clear, based on the experience of others. It's a bit like driving a car with an expired MOT, you can take it for a pre-arrange test but you can't just swan around in it.

The problem seems to be getting the insurance.

But if you plan the import with a bit of care it will work ok as in our case and many others, you can get insurance but at a cost however the saving you make on importing more than covers a bit of extra cost on insurance for a year.

 

[sallylillian]

I

Then you would not be driving a foreign registered vehicle in the UK

I believe that it is very easy to overthink the whole process. My primary concern is am I insured. One is not going to drive around for months on end on foreign plates. A simple plan to move the vehicle from say Germany to the UK via your chosen VCA inspection point is simple, and stands scrutiny in my opnion. I have done it before and is my plan for the next one, I do freely admit that I have not been challenged by authorities but am comfortable with my process. As @DBK says, if you are not there are alternatives like using an agent or engaging a low loader.

 

[gus-lopez]

I'd like to see the law that states and regulates all of these things. Thus far I've just had bits of info off some DVLA employees and emails with lists of things to do, but nobody has ever mentioned law number X or directive n. Y or else

I went in to it in great detail with both the dvla(very hard work) & the EU. What I stated is correct & when I have 5 minutes I will dig out the emails.
The original legislation dates back to 1983. EU Directive (83/182) Superseded now by
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM:l31038

It is all to do with preventing residents of one country buying & using vehicles from another, in there own country, whilst avoiding vat & tax on the vehicles.

As an aside to the second link above there was a test case & appeal at the European Court in 2012 where it was decided that the exception to a vehicle borrower having to stump import taxes when driving a foreign registered vehicle should extend to occasions when the vehicle is only being used on a short term / temporary basis.

This appears to be how the fact that you can as a UK resident, (or a resident of any EU state) drive a foreign registered vehicle in the UK but only if the owner of said vehicle is in it.They are then classed as the driver.

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[Anesta]

Sorry, @sallylillian, what do you mean by "via your chosen VCA inspection point"? Is that the MOT testing station?
Just been reading the sequence of steps required for import and are at a loss. If anybody has done it recently, could they please shed some light?
I understand that:
1. As soon as I step into UK I need to tell HMRC that I am importing
2. They'll then tell me to pay VAT
3. I duly pay VAT
4. I fill in the application for mutual recognition. If I have lights changed in Germany how can they accept the evidence? Surely a garage in Germany doesn't fall into one of the categories they request :"Original, detailed, garage invoice/statement: This must come from a garage that is, at least, one of the following: an MOT test station/a VAT registered garage/a garage registered with Companies House"? "The statement must be on full garage headed paper, giving their full contact details including their MOT test station number/VAT number and registered address/ Companies House number and registered address" Confused
5. Fill in form V55/4 or V55/5
Question: when am I supposed to do the MOT in all of this????? Can I do it on my way home from Folkestone or do I have to wait until a certain step is completed??
Please help...

 

[sallylillian]

Sorry, @sallylillian, what do you mean by "via your chosen VCA inspection point"? Is that the MOT testing station?
Just been reading the sequence of steps required for import and are at a loss. If anybody has done it recently, could they please shed some light?
I understand that:
1. As soon as I step into UK I need to tell HMRC that I am importing
2. They'll then tell me to pay VAT
3. I duly pay VAT
4. I fill in the application for mutual recognition. If I have lights changed in Germany how can they accept the evidence? Surely a garage in Germany doesn't fall into one of the categories they request :"Original, detailed, garage invoice/statement: This must come from a garage that is, at least, one of the following: an MOT test station/a VAT registered garage/a garage registered with Companies House"? "The statement must be on full garage headed paper, giving their full contact details including their MOT test station number/VAT number and registered address/ Companies House number and registered address" Confused
5. Fill in form V55/4 or V55/5
Question: when am I supposed to do the MOT in all of this????? Can I do it on my way home from Folkestone or do I have to wait until a certain step is completed??
Please help...

Your point 4 is the clear answer to your question so which bit of that confuses you? You approach a local friendly garage and tell them that you need them to check; headlights flat or left dip, that there is a fog light on the correct side (most German MH have 2 so not an issue), and that the speed shows MPH (you can get an overlay from Lockwoods if not). Provide them with a draft statement using some content from the VCA site. It will only take them 5 minutes to check so make a loose time on a specific day which works with your itinerary home. So you are leaving Germany to travel to the appointment... get it? Have the VCA form completed ready and once they print off the letter you can send the pack to the VCA. Go home. Through the HMRC portal complete your NOVA and be prepared to respond to a likely email request for a copy of the invoice. Pay the VAT online. After a week the mutual recognition certificate returns to you and you complete the DVLA V55 and certificate of newness etc and send that off. If you are still phased use an agent.

 

[bellabee]

'In a nutshell' @sallylillian . With a little planning, not difficult at all.

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[Anesta]

I know what you will be thinking but I can’t get it wrong!
So I drive to MOT testing station, is that what you mean by “ friendly garage”? They do MOT or do they check alterations? From the form I have, it is ME who has to tick all the boxes re. lights, etc, so where does the garage come into this? Please remember it’s easy to understand for somebody who’s done it already, but not for the others....

 

[sallylillian]

I know what you will be thinking but I can’t get it wrong!
So I drive to MOT testing station, is that what you mean by “ friendly garage”? They do MOT or do they check alterations? From the form I have, it is ME who has to tick all the boxes re. lights, etc, so where does the garage come into this? Please remember it’s easy to understand for somebody who’s done it already, but not for the others....

This is not about anything other than the English language, not sure how to break it down in Janet and John for you, other than add numbers????? I am out of this now!
This must come from a garage that is, at least, one of the following: 1. an MOT test station/ 2. a VAT registered garage/ 3. a garage registered with Companies House"? "The statement must be on full garage headed paper, giving their full contact details including their MOT test station number/VAT number and registered address/ Companies House number and registered address

 

[sallylillian]

On headed paper of the inspecting garage, and signed by them not YOU
VCA inspection statement by:-


Blogs the garage, details;

Company Registered in England & Wales No: 1234567

Registered Office: the garage


Inspection of new 2019 Motor Home

Manufacturer: - Niesmann & Bischoff

Model: - Flair 920LF

Base Chassis: - Iveco Chassis

VIN Number: - xxxxxxxxxx1234



In accordance with the VCA notes and having inspected the above vehicle we can confirm the following:-



· We inspected the headlamps and confirm they are UK specification (headlight beam dips to the left) and are original factory fitted UK specification headlights (dipping left) as standard.



· We inspected the speedometer fitted and it indicates speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, it is a factory fitted UK market speedometer and is dual marked as standard.



· We inspected the rear fog light as fitted and they conform to United Kingdom specifications. Dual rear-fog lights are fitted, one on the rear left and one on the rear right of the vehicle as standard.











Signed & dated etc on Headed paper, 2 copies please

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[Bustup15]

Latest episode in the Insurance saga. The local NFU office came back to me after querying about VIN cover in the U.K. Pre V5 to say they had reviewed the information and couldn't provide cover at all!

I queried the reason for this and they replied 'its if you have an accident there may be problems getting replacement parts'

What's that about?

I outlined Dethleffs making motorhomes since 1930s invested 50 million euros in new factory extension building 16000 units a year and part of Hymer group (now Thor) and including many other brands including Elddis Laika, Burstner, so would they not insure these brands either?

No reply to date.

 

[Robert Clark]

Your point 4 is the clear answer to your question so which bit of that confuses you? You approach a local friendly garage and tell them that you need them to check; headlights flat or left dip, that there is a fog light on the correct side (most German MH have 2 so not an issue), and that the speed shows MPH (you can get an overlay from Lockwoods if not). Provide them with a draft statement using some content from the VCA site. It will only take them 5 minutes to check so make a loose time on a specific day which works with your itinerary home. So you are leaving Germany to travel to the appointment... get it? Have the VCA form completed ready and once they print off the letter you can send the pack to the VCA. Go home. Through the HMRC portal complete your NOVA and be prepared to respond to a likely email request for a copy of the invoice. Pay the VAT online. After a week the mutual recognition certificate returns to you and you complete the DVLA V55 and certificate of newness etc and send that off. If you are still phased use an agent.

Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t the vehicle conformity inspection have to be done by an approved specialist ?
I had to travel from Uckfield to Lancing to get mine done.
I think from memory there is one in Ashford, which would be good for anyone returning on the tunnel.

 

[Speve]

Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t the vehicle conformity inspection have to be done by an approved specialist ?
I had to travel from Uckfield to Lancing to get mine done.
I think from memory there is one in Ashford, which would be good for anyone returning on the tunnel.

As long as it’s an MOT station that is acceptable but has to be able to do the right class of vehicle.

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[bellabee]

It doesn't have to be an MOT station, but as posted by @sallylillian

This must come from a garage that is, at least, one of the following: 1. an MOT test station/ 2. a VAT registered garage/ 3. a garage registered with Companies House"? "The statement must be on full garage headed paper, giving their full contact details including their MOT test station number/VAT number and registered address/ Companies House number and registered addres

Many VAT registered garages, no doubt, fall into more than one of the categories itemised, but it is enough for it to satisfy just one of the requirements.