Bringing German Car To UK

carpediemspirit

Hi All,

My new tenant is from Germany and she is bringing her car to the UK. She is on a one year graduate program.

I just wondered what she needs to do (if anything) to make the car UK roadworthy. Does she have to get in touch with the DVLA/Insurance etc ?

Regards
Carpediemspirit

forgotmyname

If she has insurance that covers her then thats OK. But they had a clampdown on this a few days back.

I think they took something like 200 foreign cars off the road for not having the correct insurance or other issues.

I think it depends on whether its for over a year or under.

Someone will probably post if the ins and outs later.

redux

There is a requirement that someone moving here for more than a certain amount of time must import and re-register the car.

I thought that that was usually 6 months, but for temporary inports, according to the DVLA

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/temporary-imports

7. Temporary imports

You can usually use a vehicle displaying non-UK number plates, and not have to tax or register it in the UK, if:
. you’re visiting the UK and don’t plan to live here
. you only use the vehicle up to 6 months in a 12-month period (1 single visit, or several shorter visits adding up to a 6-month period)
. the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country

Or, further down the page:

Students and workers

You may be able to use a vehicle with non-UK number plates for longer than a 6-month period, without taxing or registering it, if all the following apply:
. you’re a student or worker
. you normally live outside the UK
. you’re in the UK for a set study or work period
. the vehicle is registered in its home country
_

[This is me; not quoting any more]
If it does need to be imported, there are requirements to do with mutual recognition or type approval, though there's exemption from that for cars over 10 years old, and it will need an MOT after changing things like the speedometer and lights, then register it here.

But I'd go for that second quoted paragraph