Know this is an iffy topic with some of the DVLA offices - the following is cribbed from the Quantum owners list from a posting by Doug Howard but is
applicable to any kit/component/self built car.
At the very least it gives a name to push all of the complaints to.
Dear all.
I've finally had an reply to the email I sent to DVLA head office in Swansea to ask whether it is legal to drive to a DVLA local office for the
inspection prior to registration, and I've put their reply below, without alterations. I reckon this should overrule any local office opinion.
It's too late for me but it may help others in the future. My original letter is underneath, but it is quite long so if anyone replies please
don't include the original message in the response.
Cheers
Doug
16/09/05 From vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk
----------------------------------------------------------
RE: Legal Question - Driving Unlicenced Vehicle to DVLA inspection.
Thank you for your email.
Referring to page 10 of the V100, you are correct in assuming that the vehicle described in your email comes under this exemption.
Provided you have a pre-arranged appointment for inspection at the Local Office, you are able to drive the vehicle to the test centre.
Regards
Marc Randell, Email Team.
www.dvla.gov.uk
---------------------------------------------------------
So that's official then. Provided you have insurance and a pre-arranged appointment you can legally drive to the inspection. The police
can't do you as you are not breaking the law by driving without tax or displaying plates. Nice one Mr DVLA man.
Doug
---------------------------------------------------------
Original Email To DVLA, Sent 07/09/2005
To: "'vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk'" <vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk>
Subject: Legal Question - Driving Unlicenced Vehicle to DVLA inspection.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Please could you provide a definitive answer to a question which different local DVLA offices, and even the people who work at them, seem unable able
to give a consistent response to.
Question: Can I drive an unregistered Kit Car to the DVLA vehicle inspection?
Background: The registration of a Kit-Car or Kit-Conversion requires the parts used in the vehicle, the chassis number and the engine number to be
assessed by a Local DVLA office before a decision is made whether to allocate a new, age related, or 'Q' prefixed registration. Where a
local office requires that the vehicle be inspected at their own premises the vehicle can either be driven (as allowed by some) or transported at
considerable cost. Is it legal to drive there, accepting that this inspection is necessary to get licenced, providing adequate insurance cover is
obtained? Is the situation covered by the clause in the V100 booklet which states you are NOT allowed to drive an unlicenced vehicle, EXCEPT...
"You can drive an unlicensed vehicle to and from a testing station for a pre-arranged compulsory test eg MoT test as long as the vehicle is
insured." This is an pre-arranged inspection for which I have an appointment time, and it is compulsory. I would like to point out that it is
apparently universally acceptable for the unregistered vehicle to be driven to the earlier SVA test providing adequate insurance cover is supplied, at
which time the vehicle is not approved or confirmed as being roadworthy. It would seem a nonsense therefore that a vehicle which is certified as safe
during an SVA test is not then allowed to be driven to the subsequent compulsory inspection by the DVLA. Please could you confirm that it is ok to
drive, or if not allowed why this is the case. If different DVLA offices say different things it would seem unlikely to me that any conviction for
unlicenced/untaxed driving under these circumstances would be upheld at an appeal. I look forward to your reply, Doug Howard
Gaz (closet Quantum H4 owner)
[Edited on 19/9/05 by gazk]
Just goes to show how mad this all is.......
I passed my SVA in june, car was registered at Edinburgh DVLA and no-one ever bothered to do an examination.
Right hand doesnt know what left is doing as far as I'm concerned.
Another good reason why we need a data base on this site,i think a fair amount of builders have already found that you can drive to and from the VRO
and MOT station pre SVA its just making them belive its true.
Well done on finding the letter,saves a lot of fannying around with trailers doesnt it.