There are quite a lot of people in the UK who own a classic car. Some of those individuals will also either modify, repair or restore their classic vehicle or have the work done on their behalf. If you fall into one of those categories, you will no doubt be pleased to read that, with effect from the 26th August 2025, it was announced a few days prior to that date that new registration policies were being introduced for such vehicles no matter how old the vehicle is.

Over 1,350 respondents provide feedback prior to this decision being taken. These respondents were from the likes of a variety of individuals and organisations. These changes relating to the modification, restoration and repair of vehicles will mean that it will be a lot simpler to register such vehicles by the registered keeper. This surely has to be great news for anyone that is involved in the classic and vintage vehicle sector.

The major alterations were, for instance, that as long as the vehicle still did not look any different to when it was originally manufactured and did not involve any alterations to the log book (V5C), any like-for-like repairs/ restorations would not need to be notified to the DVLA. If a vehicle is converted to electric, it will still be permitted to retain its original identity as long as the DVLA have been notified by the registered keeper of the vehicle. Also, as long as the registered keeper has informed the DVLA, the vehicle will still be able to keep the original Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the original registration number if the vehicle has been significantly modified structurally.

DVLA Chief Executive, Tim Moss, said:

“We recognise the time, passion and care that keepers of classic vehicles invest in keeping their cars on the road. That’s why we’ve worked closely with the community to shape these changes.

These updated policies support historic vehicle keepers, and the wider industry, with clearer registration processes that reflect modern restoration and modification practices, helping safeguard the UK’s rich and wonderful automotive history.

These changes will allow enthusiasts to focus on what they love most: preserving and enjoying these remarkable vehicles.”

If you require a no-obligation classic car insurance quotation, feel free to get in contact with us as we provide access to an extensive panel of specialist insurance companies. We look forward to hearing from you.