Provenance of classic vehicles more secure with less risk of the dreaded ‘Q plate’
The DVLA’s newly announced policy means classic vehicles are less likely to have their provenance cast into doubt by major restorations or Electric Vehicle (EV) conversions.
Expert motoring barrister, Richard Clegg said: “The DVLA’s new policy supports the UK’s historic vehicle community and businesses, which the HCVA estimates brings in a yearly revenue of £4bn a year, as it lessens the risk of vehicles ending up with the dreaded ‘Q plate’, which the DVLA issues when their age or identity is in doubt.”
He added: “If a vehicle is assigned a ‘Q’ registration number, any original vehicle registration number becomes invalid, which casts doubt on its provenance. The new policy is intended to be more accommodating of significant structural alterations to a vehicle and electric conversions when it comes to them keeping their original registration and not receiving a ‘Q’ plate.”
Richard said: “Major restorations and EV conversions ought soon to be less of a headache in terms of maintaining provenance for the owners of the 3.1 million classic and historic vehicles in the UK and those undertaking the work. However, the registered keeper of the vehicle must notify DVLA of significant changes to the vehicle. It is intended that like-for-like repairs and restorations ought no longer to require notification provided that the vehicle’s appearance is the same as when it was originally manufactured and that there are no changes to the log book (V5).”