Skip to main content

Are you looking for information about the DVLA? Unsure what the DVLA is or how to contact them? Need to register your car with the DVLA but don’t know where to start?This blog post will cover all you need to know about the DVLA. You will discover what DVLA stands for, what the main function of the DVLA is, and when the DVLA may need to see your COC for your vehicle.  

Want to know more about the DVLA regulations for exporting vehicles? Looking for examples of vehicle registration in the EU or in the UK? Or do you want to find out if you need a COC for your vehicle when moving to a new country in Europe? Click these links to find out more!

What is the DVLA?

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is a branch of the UK government responsible for managing and processing driver and vehicle records. The agency holds over 50 million driver registrations, and more than 40 million vehicle registrations. They maintain the registration and licensing of drivers in Great Britain, including legal drivers, insurance records and sanctions, and the driving tests that are required to demonstrate driving competence. The DVLA are also responsible for holding the registration and licensing information of vehicles, and the collection and enforcement of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in the UK.

The DVLA are responsible for:

  • Recording driver endorsements, disqualifications and medical conditions
  • Issuing photocard driving licences
  • Issuing vehicle registration certificates to vehicle keepers
  • Taking enforcement action against vehicle tax evaders
  • Registering and issuing tachograph cards
  • Selling DVLA personalised registrations for vehicles 
  • Assisting the police and government agencies to deal with crime
  • Providing anonymised data about vehicles and drivers when needed

What Services do the DVLA Provide?

The DVLA are able to assist drivers and vehicle owners in the UK with:

  • Taxing their vehicle
  • Registering as the owner of a vehicle after you purchase it
  • Un-register as the owner of a vehicle if you sell it
  • Checking if a vehicle is correctly taxed and has an MOT
  • Updating or changing your address on a vehicle registration
  • Obtaining a vehicle log book (VC5)
  • Applying for a driving licence or checking the licence of someone else
  • Registering a vehicle as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) if you are not currently driving the vehicle (for example, if you are storing a vehicle in a garage and have no plans to use the vehicle)
  • Report or check medical conditions and how they may impact your ability to drive

How to Access DVLA Services and Contact the DVLA

If you are wanting to tax your vehicle, obtain your vehicle log book, or access any of the services that the DVLA provides, you may be wondering how to contact the DVLA. 

All DVLA services can be accessed through the Gov.UK website here.

If you need to contact the DVLA, you can use an online service on the Gov.UK website to determine the correct telephone number, email address, or postal address for the service that you require here.  

Will I Have to Show the DVLA a COC for My Vehicle?

When importing a vehicle into the UK permanently, you will need to follow certain steps as soon as you and your vehicle arrive in the country. This is to ensure that you are driving your vehicle legally within the UK.

When importing a vehicle into the UK you will need to: 

  • Inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within 14 days that the vehicle has arrived in the UK.
  • Pay VAT and any Duty required
  • Obtain vehicle approval to show your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards.
  • Register and tax the vehicle with DVLA 

As a part of obtaining vehicle approval, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (COC) for your vehicle. 

A Certificate of Conformity is a document required to register a car from abroad in the UK. In EU Law, a COC is required as a declaration of conformity with the type approval of the European Commission. In short, the Certificate of Conformity guarantees the homogeneity of goods in the EU that are subject to registration, including passenger vehicles (M1), light goods vehicles (N1), and motorcycles (L). 

EUROCOC can get a COC for all of these vehicle types to help you when you import a vehicle from the EU into the UK. 

EUROCOC is the European market leader in Certificate of Conformity mediation for vehicles and has been since 2008. If you need a Certificate of Conformity for your vehicle when travelling or relocating abroad, then you are in the right place.

We can help you to obtain a COC for your vehicle in a simple, hassle free way. Simply click here to obtain your COC now. EUROCOC can help you to get a Certificate of Conformity for 53 different brands of passenger cars, 23 brands of light good vehicles, and 18 brands of motorcycles. With Trustpilot reviews of 4.7 / 5 stars, you can be confident that EUROCOC is the right choice to help you get a COC for your vehicle. Grab your COC here