DVLA press release for modifiers.

[colnerov]

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dvla-backs-classic-car-industry-and-driving-enthusiasts-with-updated-registration-policies 

[Matty]

Bout bloody time 😀

[comfortablynumb]

Probably because they've finally realised they're on a hiding to nothing 😁

[cort1977]

Well this seems like a rare piece of good government.

[SiC]

Decent bit of actual sensible governance. Presumably because the ones writing the policies were more intune with sensibilities over the idiots jobsworths on the front inspector line 

[Inspector Morose]

2 hours ago, SiC said:

Decent bit of actual sensible governance. Presumably because the ones writing the policies were more intune with sensibilities over the idiots jobsworths on the front inspector line 

Or the out of touch back room pen pushers have finally woken up and actually listened to what the idiot jobsworths on the front inspector line have been telling them for years.

 

signed an idiot jobsworth on the front inspector line (different departement)

[DodgeRover]

Does this mean that BIVA is out the window then? And when were like for like replacement ever required to be notified to the DVLA? Doing so would have crippled the accident repair business.

[garbaldy]

News so good we need two threads for it 😁

[colnerov]

59 minutes ago, garbaldy said:

News so good we need two threads for it 😁

Yes, apologies for that, I didn't realise the first one was there. 

[Stinkwheel]

Anyone care to explain the like for like replacement thing to me?

Does ‘replacement’ with new or used parts make a difference? 
 

What parts  do you have to tell DVLA it’s had a ‘replacement’  of?
Axle ? Bodyshell? Engine? Tyres? Brake pads? 
 

it seems like a very wide and slightly unenforcible thing for them to be informed of items that don’t get logged anywhere for owners or subsequent owners to see (like on the V5)

Its sounds Sensible ish but then I’m not quite sure it stands up to scrutiny

[Heavyspanners]

18 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

Anyone care to explain the like for like replacement thing to me?

Does ‘replacement’ with new or used parts make a difference? 
 

What parts  do you have to tell DVLA it’s had a ‘replacement’  of?
Axle ? Bodyshell? Engine? Tyres? Brake pads? 
 

it seems like a very wide and slightly unenforcible thing for them to be informed of items that don’t get logged anywhere for owners or subsequent owners to see (like on the V5)

Its sounds Sensible ish but then I’m not quite sure it stands up to scrutiny

That's a weird one. The press release (and it is only a press release, not the actual rules - we haven't seen those yet) says:

"like-for-like repairs and restorations will no longer require notification to DVLA, providing the vehicle’s appearance is the same as when it was originally manufactured"

Like-for-like repairs and restorations have never required the DVLA to be notified.

The only point at which the DVLA needs to know what work has been done is when 'significant modifications' (as defined by the DVLA's own list) have been made, which mean the vehicle no longer scores the minimum level of originality points. Presumably all of that will be swept away by the new rules - we shall see.

In the meantime, we can probably assume that the work experience kid who wrote the press release got the wrong end of the stick there.

No idea what that bit about the vehicle's appearance being the same as when originally manufactured is all about. Does that mean that under the new rules, any modifications are automatically acceptable, provided that they're invisible? What if you fit a set of alloy wheels, or bolt a spoiler to your boot lid? Now the vehicle doesn't look the same as when it rolled off the production line, so have you just broken the rules?

The small amount of info we've got so far looks fairly encouraging - but it is only a small amount of info. And in true DVLA style it's written in a way that creates all sorts of grey areas and ambiguity and WTF moments, and suggests that the DVLA doesn't quite know its own rules anyway.  All of which is normal for the DVLA, of course.

Maybe, when the rules themselves are revealed, all will become clear. Maybe!


 

[comfortablynumb]

AFAIK engine changes didn't have to be declared either, under certain circumstances, for example you can fit a zetec instead of a pinto, if the original Engine configuration and fuel is maintained , and if it could be difficult to obtain the original style engine.

Difficult in whose book? 🤔