DVLA change - huge news!

[Turbopete]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dvla ... n-policies

Does this mean the end of IVA and SVA tests?

[Bigpie]

Not sure what it means at the moment, I'm told that they're going to also update the V5 on 2001+ vehicles, but we will see. It'll be live on the website from the 26th apparently.

[tom91]

I would wait for someone to try it. Im sure Bigpie with his BMW E91 will go chase them.

Unless the rules are clear, and they follow them do not get too excited too fast.

I hope they adhere to having the vehicles inspected, to keep a level of quality and competence required.

[Turbopete]

I fully agree - I just can’t imagine how they will manage to create a halfway house between the previous situation and the apparent new one!

[Turbopete]

And what about previously deleted vehicles? Are they going to be resurrected?

[Bigpie]

"Owners who are unhappy with previous treatment of their registration
number claim may now reapply under the new rules and there is no time
limitation on this. DVLA aim to process all applications within four weeks but
ask for patience initially due to an expected spike in applications."

[Bigpie]

Sorry, it looks like they we're miss-informed and 2001+ will not be updated.

[eUKenGB]

Sorry, it looks like they we're miss-informed and 2001+ will not be updated.

So since the V5 will not be updated, by their own rules DVLA do not need to be informed.

As it currently stands, that announcement overall implies little or no change. The part of it most relevant to us is that the rules will apply to vehicles of any age - but that has now been withdrawn? Why would they back-pedal on this. The problem is purely bureaucratic and results from DVLA being unable to correctly interpret the regulations and if they are now trying to ease the situation why not allow the V5 to be changed to correctly describe the vehicle.

Apart from that, EV conversions being able to retain their identity is basically no change. Only in a few rare cases have they withdrawn a vehicle's registration and most conversions do not have that problem.

Hopefully the new rules will be slightly more relaxed on the subject of modifications and allow some mods to facilitate the conversion, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Turbopete]

So since the V5 will not be updated, by their own rules DVLA do not need to be informed.

As it currently stands, that announcement overall implies little or no change. The part of it most relevant to us is that the rules will apply to vehicles of any age - but that has now been withdrawn? Why would they back-pedal on this. The problem is purely bureaucratic and results from DVLA being unable to correctly interpret the regulations and if they are now trying to ease the situation why not allow the V5 to be changed to correctly describe the vehicle.

Apart from that, EV conversions being able to retain their identity is basically no change. Only in a few rare cases have they withdrawn a vehicle's registration and most conversions do not have that problem.

Hopefully the new rules will be slightly more relaxed on the subject of modifications and allow some mods to facilitate the conversion, but I'm not holding my breath.

The announcement suggests that modifications to the chassis and or monocoque will now be allowed without the need of a "Q" registration - thats a significant change.

I know of at least 6 cases (not just diy conversions) of a vehicles registration being withdrawn - there are likely many more that people found "other" ways around it and dont want to shout about it!

Just from the point of view of a classic mini converter - the ability to modify inner wings and boot floors opens up lots of potential to create a more useable conversion!

[Sophiefxx]

This is potentially amazing news, and weird it's such a quick change and the guidelines won't be released until next week on the same day.

I have my fingers crossed it's as good as it seems!

Also, thanks to all the people that's stood up and caused a stir / challenged them with the nonsense process, let's hope they listened!

[Turbopete]

Reading the information it seems that its now even ok to re-shell a car! I think they have gone too far with that!

[Bigpie]

As expected, swing and a miss for the DVLA. The only mention of EV conversion is "You also need to tell DVLA if you modify a vehicle by converting it to run on electricity, even if you do not make structural modifications like changing the appearance."

What counts as structural modification
Structural modification of cars, motorcycles or light goods vehicles (under 3,500kg) can include:

altering the chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame (for example changing the shape so it looks like a different vehicle type)
lengthening, shortening or widening the frame of a motorcycle
cutting, lengthening, or shortening roof pillars
removing the roof
removing an integrated roll cage
modifying or removing load-bearing sub-frames or support members
making additional holes within 30cm of a suspension, steering, braking or seatbelt mounting point
turning a motorcycle into a tricycle

We can now make additional holes in certain areas, but no mention of the maximum size of said hole.

[EdAtki]

There are some more mentions of EV conversions here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... les-inf318

Here are the bits that are most relevant:

It seems the old points system is gone and EV conversions are now considered structural modification regardless of if the chassis is actually modified. I'm not familiar enough with the old system to say whether this is better or worse but at least EV conversions are considered more explicitly.

[Bigpie]

This part is concerning from a DIY point of view.

[Jacobsmess]

WhatsApp Image 2025-08-26 at 13.08.31.jpeg
This part is concerning from a DIY point of view.

I'd not be concerned from a diy conversion perspective. It seems worded carefully to allow those without specific qualifications. If they wanted qualified personnel and to a particular level they'd have to state it. What this suggests is that anyone converting a vehicle should educate themselves as much as possible to have sufficient knowledge in order to convert a vehicle without it becoming a risk. Whether the DIY conversions are without risk is another matter.

[Jacobsmess]

Interestingly, the above does not conver hybrid conversions (not that many or any have happened). It's quite binary in it being either an EV or an ICE.

[Bigpie]

Nothings changing for 2001+ as expected too.

[EdAtki]

Looking at the V627/3 form it seems that most structural modification only have to tick a box but EV conversions have to "provide full details of any modifications".

[eUKenGB]

Screenshot 2025-08-26 at 13.08.15.png (37.3 KiB) Viewed 1188 times

That is not actually true. Since the vehicle becomes 'electric' it is no longer governed by the part of the regulation that states the emissions cannot be changed. DVLA are perfectly entitled, by law, to change the relevant details on the V5C. That is the legal opinion I have obtained and also that of my local MP, but DVLA are too dumb to fully understand the regs and the government is too lazy to do anything about it.

Besides which, it is purely a bureaucratic issue. The regulation that prohibits changes to the emissions stated on the V5C is quite logical for ICE powered vehicles which would require complex and expensive testing to establish any change to the vehicle's emissions and that would be impractical to the point of impossibility. However, removing the ICE entirely renders that completely irrelevant and a simple MOT could be used to establish the lack of ICE.

So the law actually states they can change the emissions and hence the tax class and there are existing methods that could be used to verrify the change. The fact that DVLA is still making such a big deal of this makes me wonder what their motives are. Saving the planet from pollution not being one of them, obviously.

[Sophiefxx]

Reading the information it seems that its now even ok to re-shell a car! I think they have gone too far with that!

From memory, re-shell used to be okay with a new shell or chassis of original spec (makes sense, and like galvanised chassis replacements on land rovers).

But to allow a used shell....! Seems to open up more possibilities of people scamming people with high value classics where specific models are worth money.

But holes outside 30cm is a good thing?

Modifying a "load bearing" vehicle subframe is notifiable, but modifying wheel arches for wider wheels isn't? Even if I cut away the body...? I'm confused.