What is the Single Vehicle Approval scheme?

The Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme is a pre-registration inspection for vehicles that haven't been type approved to British or European standards. The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that these vehicles are designed and constructed to suitable safety standards before they are used on public roads.
SVA ensures that vehicles constructed for non-European Economic Area markets comply with British law. Even vehicles outwardly similar to European-specification models, but intended for other markets, are often unsuitable for use in Britain without at least some modification. SVA also checks that the construction of amateur-built vehicles, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles using parts from a previously registered vehicle meet modern safety and environmental standards. It also provides an alternative to type approval for vehicles manufactured in very low volume; vehicles converted for the disabled prior to registration, as well as hearses and armoured vehicles for civilian use.

Vehicles that need an SVA inspection

Your vehicle will be subject to the SVA scheme if it is less than 10 years old and requires first licensing and registration in the UK.

The scheme applies to:

Cars or light passenger vehicles with three wheels and not more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat and a maximum gross weight of more than 1000kg; or
three wheels and a maximum gross weight of not more than 1000kg and an unladen weight of more than 410kg (i.e. not a motorcycle) and either having a design speed of more than 50kph (31mph) or an engine capacity more than 50cc.
light goods vehicles with three or more wheels and a maximum gross weight of no more than 3500 kilograms* (includes tractor units of articulated vehicles and bi-purpose vehicles)
Vehicles classed as special purpose passenger vehicles are:
- hearses
- motor caravans (optional)
- ambulances (optional)
- armoured vehicles
- wheelchair accessible vehicles

(A wheelchair accessible vehicle will be subject to an ESVA inspection).

*In certain circumstances, goods vehicles up to 5500 kilograms can also use SVA.

Vehicles that pass an SVA inspection are issued with a Department Approval Certificate' (DAC).

Standard and Enhanced SVA (ESVA)

'Standard' and 'Enhanced' SVA (ESVA) refer to the different levels of inspection carried out on a vehicle depending on vehicle class.

Standard SVA

Standard SVA inspections only apply to the following classes of goods vehicles and special purpose passenger vehicles.

Goods vehicles:

left hand drive
personal imports
rebuilt vehicles
vehicles manufactured using parts of a registered vehicle
very low volume production vehicles
amateur built vehicles
armoured vehicles

Special purpose passenger vehicles:

hearses
motor caravans (optional)
ambulances (optional)
armoured vehicles

Enhanced Single Vehicle Approval (ESVA)

Enhanced SVA requires additional evidence of compliance with EC type approval standards (or certain other equivalents) for ten key areas of the vehicle. Vehicles built from the date stated are subject to the Enhanced requirement.

Key Areas

The ten key areas tested are:

seat belt anchorages (1/7/1991 - passenger)
protective steering (1/7/1991 - passenger)
noise and silencers (1/7/1991 - passenger and goods)
exhaust emissions (1/1/1993 - passenger and goods)
brakes (1/4/1995 - passenger and goods)
seat belt installations (1/7/1997 - passenger)
CO2 / fuel consumption (1/1/1997 - passenger)
anti-theft device (1/10/1998 - passenger)
frontal impact protection (1/10/2003 - passenger)
side impact protection (1/10/2003 - passenger)

Demonstrating compliance

There are five basic ways of demonstrating compliance :

Showing that European approval standards are met - by, for example, a type approval number on the VIN plate or documentary evidence from the manufacturer.
Comparable Standards - Showing that comparable non-European standards are met.
Comparison Test - A comparison check with a known type approved vehicle.
Directive Test - Physically having a test conducted to the appropriate Directive standard.
Using a Model Report - To check that the subject vehicle is of the same specification as one that is known to meet the standards.

Model reports and the SVA scheme

A model report is used for Enhanced SVA when an applicant wants to prove compliance on a vehicle on the basis of one or more tests originally carried out on a master vehicle.

While the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency produces the model report, it uses data supplied by a test laboratory. This is paid for by the owner of the model report, who also supplied the master vehicle to the laboratory. Most owners of model reports will rent the use of them to applicants who don’t want the expense of having their own laboratory tests carried out.

How do I apply for a test?

The first step is to decide what class the vehicle is in and whether SVA inspection is required. If you know the vehicle class and are sure inspection is required, you can apply for SVA direct to DVA.
Otherwise you should apply to DVA Licensing for vehicle registration. they will assess the application and decide on vehicle class and if SVA is required.

DVA Licensing may need you to provide documentary evidence to help make its decision. If they decide that SVA is required, you will be sent an SVA application form by return of post. Forms are available from DVA Licensing and DVA offices. The completed SVA application form should be returned with documentary supporting evidence and the fee to:

DVA
SVA Section
Balmoral Road
BELFAST
BT12 6QL

You will then be sent an appointment letter stating the time and place of the test.

For further information about how the vehicles are tested and what is tested please download the detailed guide below.