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Foreign plates

If a vehicle with foreign plates is stopped by the police, it's the responsibility of the keeper to demonstrate that he or she is eligible to use the vehicle in the UK without registering and taxing it.

Non European Union (EU) vehicles

Drivers of vehicles from outside the EU need to demonstrate via HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they are eligible to use the vehicle in the UK on a temporary basis. If so a HMRC Notice 3 is issued, which is stamped with the date the vehicle should leave the country.

The decision lies with HMRC whether a visiting vehicle, from outside the EU can be granted visitor status. HMRC will decide whether an extension to the six month period can be granted, if not they will issue status certificates (forms C&E 386 or C&E 388). The vehicle must then be registered at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) local office.

European Union vehicles

It is the responsibility for the driver to prove how long the vehicle has been in the country. This can be done by producing ferry tickets.

EU vehicles brought into the UK will be allowed to circulate freely for six months in any 12 month period without the need to register here, provided the vehicle complies with the requirements of its home country. Where the keeper of the vehicle becomes resident in this country, the vehicle must be immediately registered and licensed here. UK residents are not entitled to use a foreign registered vehicle on UK roads.

Certain vehicles will be required to display a temporary 'Q' plate. Temporary visitor status isn't appropriate to these vehicles.

More useful links

• Find your nearest DVLA local office