4/18
Diplomatic and consular
vehicle registrations and
driving permits
INF267
Vehicle Services
For more information go to www.gov.uk/browse/driving
Specialist Registration Team
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DR
Contents
1 Appointments
Change of circumstances 6
At the end of your appointment 6
2 Diplomatic vehicle registration
Your entitlement to purchase duty free vehicles 7
What we mean by registration 7
The diplomatic ‘Vehicle registration document’ (V117) 8
How to register a vehicle 9
Buying a brand new vehicle from a car dealer 9
Buying a brand new vehicle from outside the UK 10
Importing a used vehicle from outside the UK 11
Buying a UK registered vehicle 11
Applying for a duplicate diplomatic
registration document 12
3 VAT/duty/customs
Imported vehicles 13
VAT/duty/customs exemption 13
What if I have paid the VAT/duty? 14
Form 5 14
Form 6 14
4 Type approval
Where can I get type approval? 15
2
5 De-registering your diplomatic vehicle
What to do if you sell your vehicle within the
diplomatic community 16
What to do if you want to register your vehicle
with UK plates 16
What to do if you sell your vehicle outside
the diplomatic community 17
What to do if you export your vehicle 18
What to do if your vehicle is written off or scrapped 18
What to do if your vehicle is stolen 19
6 Registering a vehicle with a ‘flag’ number
Transferring or keeping your flag number 19
7 Diplomatic driving permits
Applying for or replacing a diplomatic driving permit 20
How to change your details on your diplomatic
driving permit 21
Penalty points 21
Driving in the UK when your appointment has ended 21
8 DVLA forms and leaflets
Vehicle registration 22
Driving 22
9 Contact details 23
3
Introduction
This booklet provides information about registering your
diplomatic or consular vehicle and applying for a diplomatic
driving permit for the length of your appointment.
The registration of diplomatic and consular vehicles is an
administrative arrangement which the Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency (DVLA) carries out to help you while you are posted to the
United Kingdom (UK).
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides us with
details of eligible diplomatic and consular officials and members of
international organisations.
Where we use the term ‘you’ in this booklet, we mean the person
registering the vehicle, applying for a driving permit or otherwise
dealing with us (DVLA).
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Section 1
Appointments
Your mission or international organisation must notify Diplomatic
Missions and International Organisations Unit (DMIOU) in Protocol
Directorate at the FCO as soon as possible after your arrival or
appointment. DMIOU will then notify us of your appointment and you
can then apply for your vehicle to be registered, and/or for a driving
permit under the diplomatic scheme.
Step-by-step guide to reporting your appointment
• Arrival forms can be found on the Protocol website at
http://protocol.fco.gov.uk/
Use Form 1 for:
– embassy or high commission staff
– staff of international organisations
– consulate staff.
• You, or your admin or protocol section will need to fill in
Form 1 and return it to DMIOU.
• DMIOU will notify us of the approval.
• We will update our records with your details.
Any queries please contact DMIOU (see Section 9).
Important points
• We will not be able to register any vehicle or issue a driving
permit until your appointment has been authorised by DMIOU.
• You can only register a vehicle or apply for a driving permit if you
have been accredited by DMIOU as a head of mission, a diplomatic
agent, a member of your mission’s administrative and technical staff,
a consular officer, or a consular employee.
• Service staff are not entitled to register a vehicle or apply for a
driving permit.
5
• Members of international organisations may register a
vehicle or apply for a driving permit only if permitted by
their organisation’s headquarters agreement.
• You must fill in all parts of Form 1, including the name of the
person you are replacing (if appropriate) and details of all your
dependants forming part of your household.
Change of circumstances
If your circumstances change you must fill in Form 1 and return it to
DMIOU (see Section 9).
Changes you must report include:
• any change of employment circumstances
• any change of name or address
• the arrival or departure of any members of your household.
At the end of your appointment
When your appointment in the UK ends you must fill in Form 1 and
return it to DMIOU (see Section 9). They will forward your details to us so
we can update our records.
You must send us your ‘Diplomatic driving permit’ (D442) and your
diplomatic ‘Vehicle registration document’ (V117).
You must tell us what will happen to your vehicle (see Section
5 for more details) and ensure your diplomatic number plate is
returned to the Specialist Registration Team at DVLA
(see Section 9).
6
Section 2
Diplomatic vehicle registration
Your entitlement to purchase duty free vehicles
Official vehicles
• Diplomatic missions are entitled to a maximum of one official
vehicle per notified diplomat.
Private vehicles
• Heads of mission, diplomatic agents and consular officers are
entitled to register one tax or duty relieved vehicle at any one time
for their personal use. They are also entitled to register one more
tax or duty relieved vehicle if they have an eligible spouse or civil
partner. Unmarried/common-law partners are not entitled to a tax
or duty relieved vehicle.
• Administrative and technical staff and consular employees are
entitled to one vehicle (registered within six months of the date of
their first arrival). They are also entitled to register one more tax or
duty relieved vehicle if they have an eligible spouse or civil partner
(if registered within six months of the date of their first arrival).
Unmarried/common-law partners are not entitled to a tax or duty
relieved vehicle.
• Service staff are not entitled to register a tax or duty relieved vehicle.
• Members of international organisations may register a tax or
duty relieved vehicle only if permitted by their organisation’s
headquarters agreement.
There are some exceptions. Please contact the DMIOU (see Section 9)
for further advice.
What we mean by registration
As part of the diplomatic registration process you need to register
your vehicle with DVLA. We give each vehicle a unique vehicle
registration number that identifies it as a diplomatic vehicle. This
unique diplomatic registration number identifies the embassy or
international organisation.
7
Once your vehicle has a diplomatic registration number we will
arrange for the number plates to be produced and sent to your
mission or international organisation. The number plate remains the
property of the Secretary of State for Transport. When we have all of
the details of the vehicle and its keeper, we will issue a diplomatic
‘Vehicle registration document’ (V117) to confirm that the vehicle has
been registered.
Your plates must be returned to DVLA if you dispose of your
vehicle during your appointment or when your appointment ends.
The diplomatic ‘Vehicle registration document’ (V117)
The V117:
• shows the keeper’s name and address
• shows the vehicle’s details and registration number
• needs to be replaced if your details change
• provides a way to notify disposal (sold, exported, scrapped).
You must make sure all the details on your V117 are correct.
If any of your circumstances change or the details on the diplomatic
registration document are incorrect, you must return it to DVLA
immediately with the changes shown. We will then
send you a new registration document.
You may have problems selling your vehicle if any of the
information is wrong.
8
All vehicle registration number plates will be sent out
separately direct from our supplier. They will be sent to the
mission/international organisation or dealership.
How to register a vehicle
What you have to do depends on whether the vehicle is new or used.
In either case, the relevant paperwork should show the name of the
person or mission/international organisation keeping the vehicle.
If your vehicle is not eligible to be registered under the diplomatic
and consular vehicle system, you will need to register it on the UK
registration system.
Points to remember
• You must have filled in Form 1 to notify DMIOU of your
appointment.
• DMIOU must have authorised your appointment before DVLA
can proceed.
• You must give your full name. Do not give initials.
• Do not provide more than one person’s name as the keeper.
• The vehicle must be in the UK before it is registered.
• You must specify if the vehicle needs non-standard size
registration plates.
Buying a brand new vehicle from a car dealer
If you buy a brand new vehicle from a car dealer, they will normally
register the vehicle on your behalf using an ‘Application for first
vehicle tax and registration of a new motor vehicle’ (V55/1).
Please make sure you fill in all the required application
forms and include required supporting documents.
DVLA will be unable to complete your application and it will
be rejected if any of the required information is not present.
9
10
Document checklist
✓ V55/1 application form
✓ Insurance certificate or cover note (downloaded insurance
certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of an original or
downloaded insurance certificate)
✓ Customs form or copy of the vehicle invoice (see Section 3).
The application and supporting documents will need to be sent to the
Specialist Registration Team (see Section 9).
Buying a brand new vehicle from outside the UK
If you buy a new unregistered vehicle from outside the UK, you will
need to fill in an ‘Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a
new motor vehicle’ (V55/4) and send us any supporting documents
we ask for to confirm the vehicle’s details.
Document checklist
✓ V55/4 application form, which is available to order from
www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
✓ Declaration of Newness (V267) which is available to download
from www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
✓ Temporary Foreign Registration Document (if applicable)
✓ Insurance certificate or cover note (downloaded insurance
certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of an original
or downloaded insurance certificate)
✓ Customs form and entry on NOVA system (NOVA 1 form)
(see Section 3 for details)
✓ Original vehicle invoice showing the date vehicle purchased
✓ Evidence of type approval (see Section 4)
You will then need to send your application and supporting
documents to the Specialist Registration Team (see Section 9).
11
Importing a used vehicle from outside the UK
If you buy or import a used vehicle from outside the UK you will need
to fill in an ‘Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a used
motor vehicle’ (V55/5) and send us any supporting documents we ask
for to confirm the vehicle’s details.
Document checklist
✓ V55/5 application form, which is available to order from
www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
✓ Foreign Registration Document. If this is not available contact the
Specialist Registration Team for further advice (see Section 9).
✓ Original Insurance certificate or cover note (downloaded insurance
certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of an original or
downloaded insurance certificates)
✓ MoT (if applicable)
✓ Customs form and entry on NOVA system (NOVA 1 form)
(see Section 3)
✓ Evidence of Type Approval (see Section 4).
You will then need to send your application and supporting
documents to the Specialist Registration Team (see Section 9).
Buying a UK registered vehicle
You should not buy a vehicle without a vehicle registration
certificate (V5C).
To register the vehicle as a diplomatic vehicle fill in an ‘Application for
a diplomatic registration document’ (V117/1) and send it to us with
the vehicle’s V5C or the ‘New Keeper’s Details’ (V5C/2).
12
Document checklist
✓ V117/1
✓ Vehicle registration certificate (V5C) or a filled in V5C/2
✓ Insurance certificate or cover note (downloaded insurance
certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of
downloaded insurance certificates)
✓ MoT (if applicable).
You will then need to send your application and supporting
documents to the Specialist Registration Team (see Section 9).
After you have sent your application
• We will register the vehicle and give it a diplomatic registration
number.
• We will send you a V117 diplomatic registration document.
• Our number plate supplier will provide diplomatic number plates
for the vehicle.
Applying for a duplicate diplomatic registration document
(V117)
If your V117 is lost, destroyed or damaged, you must apply for a
duplicate. To do this you will need to fill in an ‘Application for a
diplomatic registration document’ (V117/1) (see Section 8).
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Section 3
VAT/duty/customs
Imported vehicles
All imported vehicles being registered using a V55/4 or V55/5
(see Section 2) must be registered on the Notification of Vehicle
Arrival (NOVA) system before the vehicle application is sent to DVLA.
To arrange this you must complete a ‘VAT NOVA 1’ form, available to
download on the Protocol website:
http://protocol.fco.gov.uk/
Once complete, this must be sent onto HMRC to process
(see Section 9 for HMRC contact details if you have any queries).
VAT/duty/customs exemption
Vehicles used for diplomatic purposes may be eligible to be purchased
or imported free of VAT/duty (see Section 2). This exception is
only valid as long as the vehicle is registered and being used as a
diplomatic vehicle. All vehicles require customs clearance if they are to
be registered without the payment of VAT/duty.
The main customs forms used are:
• C426: for imported vehicles (new and used) from outside the
European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
• C428: for new EU or EFTA origin vehicles purchased inside the UK
• Form 7 new UK assembled vehicles purchased in the UK.
These forms are available to download on the Protocol website:
http://protocol.fco.gov.uk/
When submitting an application to DVLA you must ensure that one
of the above forms is included with your application. It must be
completed and authorised by DMIOU.
14
What if I have paid the VAT/duty?
You will need to provide an invoice showing ‘VAT/duty paid‘
(for vehicles purchased in UK only).
Form 5
Form 5 is an application to dispose of vehicles imported/purchased
VAT/duty free under privilege. It must be completed when a vehicle is
being disposed of within the UK and there is VAT/duty to be paid on
the vehicle.
VAT/duty is to be paid:
• if the vehicle has been written off or scrapped
• if the vehicle has been stolen and recovered
• if the vehicle is to be sold or transferred outside of the diplomatic
community.
The completed Form 5 should be sent to DMIOU, Protocol Directorate.
Once endorsed by the FCO and HMRC, this form, along with receipt
for payment of VAT/duty and relevant vehicle documents, should be
sent to the Specialist Registrations Team.
Form 6
Form 6 should be used for:
• duty and VAT paid vehicles that are sold, scrapped or exported
• vehicle purchased or imported under privilege and sold to another
privileged person
• vehicles purchased or imported under privilege and exported.
Once you have completed Form 6 you must ensure it has been
authorised and stamped by DMIOU before submitting to DVLA
to process.
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Section 4
Type approval
The purpose of the vehicle type approval scheme is to ensure that
vehicles have been designed and constructed to meet suitable
environmental and safety standards before they can be used on the
roads in the UK.
Where can I get type approval?
• EC Certificate of Conformity – from the manufacturer, or
• Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) Certificate – a pre-registration test
carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
or the Driver and Vehicle Agency Testing (DVAT) for cars and light
goods vehicles that have not been type approved to British or
European standards.
For details on the IVA test please contact DVSA or DVAT (see Section 9).
If you can’t get type approval
If you can’t get type approval, DVLA will register the vehicle providing
it will be exported once your appointment has ended. You will not be
able to sell the vehicle in the UK without type approval. If you get
type approval in the future, contact the Specialist Registration Team
(see Section 9) for further guidance.
Section 5
De-registering your diplomatic vehicle
If the vehicle is no longer being used as a diplomatic vehicle, or if your
appointment has ended, you must tell DVLA if the vehicle has been:
• sold to another diplomatic
• registered with UK plates
• sold outside the diplomatic community
• exported
• written off or scrapped
• stolen.
What to do if you sell your vehicle within the
diplomatic community
You will need to apply to transfer the registration details to another
person within the diplomatic community (who is entitled to register a
vehicle under the diplomatic scheme). We will issue a new diplomatic
registration number for that vehicle. You should apply using a V117/1
and enclose the vehicle’s current V117 registration document with
supporting documents.
Document checklist
✓ V117/1
✓ V117 registration document
✓ Insurance certificate or cover note (downloaded insurance
certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of an original
or downloaded insurance certificates)
✓ MoT (if applicable)
✓ Form 6.
What to do if you want to register your vehicle with
UK plates
You will need to fill in an ‘Application for first vehicle tax and
registration of a used motor vehicle’ (V55/5). There is a first
registration fee payable unless the vehicle was registered in the UK
prior to becoming a diplomatic vehicle.
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17
Document checklist
✓ V55/5 application form
✓ Diplomatic registration document (V117)
✓ Insurance certificate or cover note (downloaded insurance
certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of original or
downloaded insurance certificates)
✓ MoT (if applicable)
✓ Vehicle tax payment – see V149 on
www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables
✓ First registration fee (£55 if applicable)
✓ Form 5 (if VAT/duty needs to be paid)
✓ Form 6 (if VAT/duty has been paid)
✓ Diplomatic number plates
✓ Type approval (if applicable)
You will need to send your application and supporting documents to
the Specialist Registration Team at DVLA (see Section 9). A vehicle
registration certificate (V5C) will be sent to you.
What to do if you sell your vehicle outside the diplomatic
community
If you sell your vehicle you must tell us the date of sale immediately.
You will be the registered keeper of the vehicle until you have told us
you have sold it.
You must apply to have the vehicle registered with UK number plates
in the new keeper’s name.
Document checklist
✓ V55/5 application form
✓ Diplomatic registration document (V117)
✓ Insurance certificate or cover note (downloaded insurance
certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of original or
downloaded insurance certificates)
✓ MoT (if applicable)
✓ Vehicle tax payment – see V149 on
www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables
✓ First registration fee (£55 if applicable)
✓ Form 5 (if VAT/duty needs to be paid)
✓ Form 6 (if VAT/duty has been paid)
18
✓ Diplomatic number plates
✓ Proof of name and address – see V355/5 for a list of acceptable
identity documents which is available from
www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
You will need to send your application and supporting documents to
the Specialist Registration Team at DVLA (see Section 9).
What to do if you export your vehicle
You can export your vehicle at any time without paying any customs
charges. The vehicle must be in your name at the time of export.
To export your vehicle you must send us:
• the filled in export section of the V117
• a filled in Form 6
• the diplomatic plates.
If you don’t do this, the vehicle will stay registered in your name and
may affect your mission or international organisation in the future.
You cannot use your diplomatic plates outside of the UK.
We will send you a ‘Certificate of Permanent Export’ (V561) which can
be used to register the vehicle in another country.
What to do if your vehicle is written off or scrapped
The V117 has a section for you to notify us if the vehicle has been
written off or scrapped. You must send the Specialist Registration Team:
• the number plates
• any documents relating to the vehicle
• Form 5 (if VAT/duty needs to be paid)
• Form 6 (if VAT/duty has been paid)
• a covering letter with the date, name and address of the scrap
yard.
If you do not tell us that the vehicle has been scrapped, the vehicle will
still be registered in your name and this may affect your mission
or international organisation in the future.
19
What to do if your vehicle is stolen
You should first report the theft of the vehicle at a police station
and get a crime reference number. You should then contact the
Specialist Registration Team (see Section 9). You must return the
V117 registration document to us. You will need to tell us the crime
reference number and the name of the police station where you
reported the theft.
If the vehicle is recovered, and if it is no longer a diplomatic vehicle
then the vehicle will need to be de-registered.
You must scrap your vehicle at an Authorised Treatment
Facility (ATF). To find the nearest ATF go to:
www.gov.uk/scrapped-and-written-off-vehicles
Section 6
Registering a vehicle with a ‘flag’ number
All embassies and high commissions are entitled to have one official
car (usually the Ambassador’s or High Commissioner’s official car)
that has a ‘flag number’ rather than a diplomatic registration number.
Flag numbers can only be used on an official car and must be
approved by DVLA and DMIOU first.
Transferring or keeping your flag number
If you have a flag number that you need to take off a vehicle:
• you can transfer the flag number to another vehicle
• if you do not have a vehicle to transfer the flag number onto, you
can apply to retain the flag number, which will keep it ‘on hold’
until you can put it on a new vehicle.
You can do both by filling in an ‘Application to transfer or retain a
vehicle registration number’ (V317).
You will need to let the Specialist Registration Team (see Section 9)
know what will or has happened to the vehicle that currently holds
the flag number. It will need to be re-registered.
20
Section 7
Diplomatic driving permits
DVLA issues diplomatic driving permits (D442) to diplomats and
consular officials who want to drive on the UK roads without having
to exchange a foreign licence for a UK driving licence.
The diplomatic driving permit is issued as a concession and is not
a UK driving licence. Driving permits are valid for five years and you
must ensure you have a valid foreign licence (e.g. licence issued from
originating country) when driving on UK roads.
Applying for or replacing a diplomatic driving permit
To apply for a diplomatic driving permit you must fill in an ‘Application
for a diplomatic driving permit’ (D442/1) and send us your foreign
driving licence with an English translation if required.
You can use the D442/1 to:
• apply for your first permit
• apply for a replacement if your permit has been lost, stolen,
damaged or destroyed
• renew a permit that has expired or is no longer valid.
Document checklist
✓ D442/1
✓ Valid foreign driving licence (original or photocopy of front and
back)
✓ Valid International Driving Permit (original or photocopy of front
and back)
✓ Translation (if needed).
You will then need to send your application and supporting
documents to the Specialist Registration Team at DVLA (see Section 9).
Your diplomatic driving permit will be issued and your foreign driving
licence will be returned.
21
Your health
You must fill in the health and eyesight questions on the D442/1.
How to change your details on your diplomatic driving
permit
If you change your name or address you must tell us and apply to
have the details on your driving permit changed. You do this by filling
in the ‘Changes’ section on the D442 driving permit.
Penalty points
If you are convicted of a motoring offence, the court or DVLA can put
any endorsements you receive on your driving permit.
Driving in the UK when your appointment has ended
If you want to be able to drive in the UK after your appointment ends,
you must observe the UK’s driver licensing laws. For more information
go to www.gov.uk/browse/driving
Driving permits are not valid following termination
of your appointment and must be returned to the
Specialist Registration Team (see section 9).
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Section 8
DVLA forms and leaflets
The following is a list of forms and leaflets that are used for diplomatic
driving permits and vehicle registration, and other useful DVLA forms.
Registration
*V117/1 Application for a diplomatic registration document
**V55/4 Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a
new motor vehicle
**V55/5 Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a
used motor vehicle
***V317 Application to transfer or retain a vehicle registration
number
***V355/4 Guide to filling in the ‘Application for first vehicle tax
and registration of a new vehicle’ (V55/4)
***V355/5 Guide to filling in the ‘Application for first vehicle tax
and registration for a used motor’ (V55/5)
Driver
*D442/1 Application for a diplomatic driving permit
Key:
* These are available to download from the Protocol website
http://protocol.fco.gov.uk/
** These are available to order from:
www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
*** These are available to download from:
www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
When filling in application forms, remember:
• write clearly in CAPITAL letters using black ink
• fill in all sections and provide any documents we ask for.
23
Section 9
Contact details
Specialist Registration
Team, DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DR
Email: [email protected].uk
Phone: 0300 123 1347
Diplomatic Missions
& International
Organisations Unit
Protocol Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Room KG.01
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
http://protocol.fco.gov.uk/
Parliamentary and
Diplomatic Protection
Metropolitan Police Service
Apex House
William IV Street
London
WC2N 4DL
Control Room: 0208 721 7979
(24 hours)
Vehicle Certification Agency
(VCA) Headquarters
No.1 The Eastgate Office Centre
Eastgate Road
Bristol
BS5 6XX
Phone: 0300 330 5797
www.gov.uk/VCA
Driver and Vehicle Standards
Agency (DVSA)
Phone: 0300 123 9000
www.gov.uk/dvsa
Driver and Vehicle Agency
Testing (DVAT)
Phone: 0845 601 4094
www.dvani.gov.uk
Her Majesty Revenue &
Customs (HMRC)
Personal Transport Unit
Phone: 01304 664171
www.gov.uk/hmrc
When contacting us, remember:
• If you are contacting us about your vehicle, give us your vehicle’s
registration number or chassis number.
• If you are contacting us about a driver permit, give us your
surname or date of birth.
