Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme
MSVA (other than Partial MSVA) gives a cost effective form of type approval for two, three and some small four-wheeled vehicles that do not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA). The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) run the scheme at its Lisburn test centre.
Why MSVA exists
It’s a rule, across the European Community, for motorcycles and associated vehicles to be type approved before registration. Type approval is a set of harmonised design, construction and environmental standards. It allows vehicle makers to build to one set of rules for the European market.
Before the introduction of ECWVTA the government ran a consultation on how type approval would affect the motorcycle market in Northern Ireland.
Based on this consultation the government decided that the Northern Ireland motorcycle market warranted a single vehicle type approval scheme, to run alongside ECWVTA.
Vehicles needing an MSVA test
If you have one of the types of vehicles below that are unregistered, under 10 years old and don’t have ECWVTA then MSVA applies to your vehicle.
- two-wheeled mopeds
- three-wheeled mopeds
- light quadricycles
- solo motorcycles
- motorcycle combinations
- motor tricycles
- heavy quadricycles
Partial Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (PMSVA)
If your vehicle has ECWVTA it will have been are given a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). This is a vehicle maker declaration that the vehicle, identified by its vehicle identification number (VIN), is the same in all respects as the type that gained approval.
This document gives evidence that the vehicle can be licensed and registered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for use on the road. The CoC will contain a statement showing which rule of the road and which speedometer units the vehicle is approved for.
Some type approved vehicles may not be equipped for use in the UK. If this is the case DVA can do a Partial MSVA check to confirm that any changes needed have been done right.
The items checked are:
- headlamp dipped beam pattern - to check that the headlamp is suitable for driving on the left
- speedometer - to make sure the speed is shown in miles per hour or that the speedometer has dual mph and km/h markings
- mirror location, this only applies to mopeds fitted with a single mirror - to make sure a single mirror is fitted to offside (right) of the vehicle
How to apply
You apply using Application for a Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) - Department Approval Certificate (MSVA 1).
MSVA test fees
| Categories |
Full test price |
Retest price |
|---|---|---|
| Low power moped* | £45.00 | £15.00 |
| Two-wheeled vehicles | £70.00 | £15.00 |
| Three/ four-wheeled vehicles | £85.00 | £15.00 |
| Partial MSVA | £11.75 | Not applicable |
* A low power moped is defined as a moped with pedals, with auxiliary propulsion not exceeding 1kW, and a maximum design speed not exceeding 25km/h (16mph).
Once your application has been cleared for testing, DVA staff will contact you by phone to reserve an appointment.
The reserved appointment date and time will be emailed to you. You will then follow the link in the reservation notice to the online booking system and make payment for the test by credit or debit card.
- MOT test fees
- Driving and vehicle test centres
- Motorcycle single vehicle approval application form and guidance notes (MSVA 1)
MSVA is also a Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) rule for certain vehicles that have been radically altered or built using a mix of parts from previously registered vehicles.
Examples include:
- vehicles rebuilt using a second hand frame
- vehicles converted to a different wheelplan
More information on these types of vehicles can be found at the links below:
Vehicle registration - GOV.UK website
Replace lost or stolen MSVA certificate
You can pay online for a duplicate Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval certificate to replace a lost certificate. The fee for a duplicate certificate is £12.00.