Taking a vehicle out of NI permanently or temporarily

Informing Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) when you are taking your vehicle out of the country on a permanent basis and what documentation is appropriate if you are taking your vehicle or a hired vehicle on a temporary basis.

Taking your vehicle abroad for more than 12 months (permanent export)

When a vehicle registered in the United Kingdom (UK) is taken out of the country for 12 months or more, it’s regarded as being permanently exported from the UK.

You can tell DVA by filling in the section ‘Notification of Permanent Export’ (V5C/4(NI)) of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C(NI)), and send it to DVA, Coleraine BT51 3TA.

Keep the rest of the registration certificate, as you may need this to re-register the vehicle abroad. Your vehicle will become subject to the legal requirements of the new country when exported.

If you don’t have a registration certificate you’ll need to get a certificate of permanent export (V561(NI)). Download and complete the V756(NI) ‘Application for certificate or permanent export’ and send to DVA, Coleraine, BT51 3TA.

Moving between Northern Ireland (NI) and Great Britain (GB) with your vehicle

You only need to fill in the change of address section on your V5C(NI) (moving from NI to GB) and send to your nearest Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Vehicle Registration Office (VRO), or your V5C (moving from GB to NI) and send to a DVA local office as your vehicle is staying in the UK.

When transferring the vehicle from GB to NI you should leave the current tax disc on the vehicle until it expires and then re-tax in NI. This is the same for vehicles transferring from NI to GB.

Personalised registration on your vehicle

You’ll need to transfer or retain your personalised registration before you export the vehicle. If you don’t, you’ll lose your entitlement to the registration number.

Taking your vehicle abroad for less than 12 months (temporary export)

If a UK registered vehicle is taken abroad temporarily, it remains subject to UK law. This means that you as the keeper must by law make sure that the vehicle stays taxed while it’s overseas. Providing the vehicle has a current MOT certificate and insurance, you’ll be able to tax the vehicle.

If you don’t tax the vehicle and it’s brought back to the UK untaxed, the vehicle will need to be transported and not driven upon entry back to the UK and a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) should be declared straight away.

You can tax or SORN by applying to DVA, Coleraine, BT51 3TA, but please note that SORN can’t be made while the vehicle is abroad.

If you don’t have a registration certificate and you are taking the vehicle out the country on a temporary basis, you can get a replacement from DVA by phoning or applying by post.

The registration certificate may take up to four weeks to arrive. If you need to travel during this time you’ll need to apply for a temporary registration certificate (V379(NI)), available from a DVA local office. You'll need to provide proof of ID and there’s a fee for the service.