Entitlement
Diplomatic Agents (cat A & B)
Diplomatic Agents 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 Agents may not own more than one diplomatic-registered vehicle, whether acquired tax free or not, at any one time unless they have a spouse, civil or accepted established partner in the UK, in which case the couple may own two diplomatic-registered vehicles between them.
A & T Staff (cat C)
Members of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions may:
- Import any vehicle free of tax and duty within 6 months of their first arrival
- Purchase locally any motor vehicle manufactured in the UK, EU or EFTA free of VAT within 6 months of their first arrival
Vehicles purchased or imported free of tax and duty must be registered with the DVLA as a diplomatic vehicle. Members of Administrative and Technical Staff may not own more than one diplomatic-registered vehicle, whether acquired tax free or not, at any one time unless they have a spouse, civil or accepted established partner in the UK, in which case the couple may own two diplomatic-registered vehicles between them.
Registration of vehicles
The DVLA’s note INF267 provides guidance to help with registration of diplomatic vehicles.
Vehicle Tax
Heads of diplomatic missions, together with the members of the diplomatic and administrative and technical staff, are exempt from payment of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) on D, X and Flag plates.
Registration/Allocation of registration plates
The DVLA will issue number plates displaying diplomatic registration marks on registration.
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 (in the name of the registered keeper) 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 DVLA on behalf of the Department of Transport. If the vehicle is sold, exported or disposed of, the registration plates must be returned to the DVLA at the following address –
Specialist Registrations
DVLA
Swansea SA99 1DR
It is an abuse of privileges and immunities and a security risk to allow non-entitled persons to possess a diplomatic registration plate.
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.
The DVLA can also be contacted via a helpline for the diplomatic and consular community on telephone 0300 123 1347. The helpline is available from 10:00 to 14:00hrs Monday to Friday. Alternatively, via email at: dac@dvla.gov.uk