Entitlement
Diplomatic and Consular Missions may:
- Import any vehicle free of tax and duty
- Purchase locally any motor vehicle manufactured in the UK, EU or EFTA free of VAT
Vehicles purchased or imported free of tax and duty must be registered with the DVLA as a diplomatic vehicle. Diplomatic and Consular missions may register one official vehicle per Diplomatic Agent and Consular Officer appointed to the mission.
Registration of vehicles
The DVLA has produced some guidance to help with registration of diplomatic vehicles.
Allocation of registration plates
Vehicles must be registered as soon as possible and in any case not more than one month after importation. The VRO will allocate a vehicle registration number and issue the owner with a registration document. You can obtain the application form (V55/5) from the VRO. A British Insurance Certificate or Cover Note must accompany this and, if the vehicle is over 3 years old, a vehicle roadworthiness test certificate (MOT).
Return of registration plates
All registration (number) plates remain the property of the Department of Transport to whom they should be returned when the vehicle is either sold or exported. It is an abuse of diplomatic privilege to allow non-entitled persons to possess a diplomatic number plate. It is also bad security practice.
National Type Approval (NTA) Regulations
Vehicles imported under diplomatic privilege must comply with the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1984. The regulations require that an NTA certificate is provided as evidence of compliance and is essential when registering a vehicle unless a relevant exemption is applicable. If you have queries about whether a vehicle complies with NTA regulations, contact the Vehicle Certification Agency.