New Registrations

[gaxor]

So, after a summer of building the car, and waiting 6 weeks for an IVA test, I have finally got the IVA certificate.

The question therefore is how long currently can I expect to wait before DVLA issue me with a shiny new registration number?

[DCL]

In theory it should be as quickly as they process it. In my day (2008) I took the paperwork to my local DVLA office and got it over the counter after a 20minute wait. I did that with several kit car builds and always had a friendly and helpful service from the staff.

I am not sure if local DVLA offices still exist, or if real people still do the processing, so I am also interested in more recent experiences of others.

Edited by DCL on Saturday 21st January 17:58

[Fastpedeller]

When I had my kitcar SVA'd in 2009, the local DVLA office would not issue a registration number 'on the spot'. I had been advised by others to only insure with a broker/insurance company that was happy to issue multiple cover notes. This was indeed good advice. After paying the local DVLA for the road fund licence and providing proof of insurance cover (on chassis number), I eventually phoned and asked about them issuing the registration number. There response was "you only have 1 week left on your cover note - we can't issue the reg number" I got another cover note, and sent it to them. It then got to 2 weeks left, so I rang to be told "you only have 2 weeks left on you cover note - we can't issue..... " Clearly frustrated I said "but we could keep going for ever like this, with a new cover note and DVLA taking no action, I'd like to speak to a Manager, please". They did it, but crikey what a shambles.
I understand things are improved since the local offices closed. My understanding is that the service is good if you send it to the usual address but prefix it with K & R Section (that may not be the exact wording, which may be critical, I hope someone corrects me if necessary)

[gaxor]

I was hoping someone on here would have recent experience of the time taken to issue a V5

[Revinslevin]

Hello there,I’m in a similar situation,had my car built by caterham,they had it Iva’d on December 14,car was delivered to me January 11 and still waiting.caterham said it could take 5 weeks and assured me they sent the docs off immediately,but with Christmas and new year and post the way it is who knows when it’ll arrive.I’m going to try and ring the dvla tomorrow,if I have any joy I’ll post the response

[BigCol]

DCL said:

I am not sure if local DVLA offices still exist, or if real people still do the processing, so I am also interested in more recent experiences of others. ]

Pretty sure they don’t exist anymore but fortunately they did in 2013 when I built my 7. I took my paperwork, including a retention certificate for my personal plate, to a real person to deal with. The V5 arrived a week or so later.

Sorry, that was then, unsure about now!

[Andy135]

Along similar lines, I recently got a "new" reg for a Caterham imported from Jersey. Went through the NOVA process then to DVLA for new reg and V5.

DVLA give themselves a timeframe of 6 weeks from application. I was expecting to have to call and chase them after the 6 week period was up, so I was pleasantly surprised when mine arrived on the doormat about a week early, between Xmas and New Year, in the midst of postal strikes etc. So not all bad.

[Revinslevin]

Managed to speak to dvla this morning only to be told my vin number didn’t exist on their system😧.got straight onto James at Gatwick,who reassured it was all in hand and was sent on 20 December along with others,only mine and another which was finished in late November have not returned as yet,but reckons it should be any day soon.the reason dvla had no records of it was it not a normal car type of registration you have to speak to “kit and rebuild department “fingers crossed it shouldn’t be long