Thousands of drivers brace for huge DVLA change to MOT and registration rules – find out how it’ll affect you

THOUSANDS of drivers are bracing for a huge DVLA change to MOTs and registration rules.

The change could mean those who own certain types of cars would have to adhere to new rules.

It follows a consultation from the DVLA regarding the future of the classic car sector.

The agency has finally published the long-awaited responses to a call for evidence launched earlier this year to see if any large changes could be made to improve the industry.

In May, the Government launched a call for evidence to assess the attitudes of classic car owners to see if policies needed to be updated, especially with the growth of electric vehicle technology.

One of the main questions sought views on whether there should be a separate registration process for historic and classic vehicles and if new safety checks should be introduced.

The call for evidence received 1,371 responses, including 1,162 from individuals and 129 from organisations, some of whom publicly called for more to be done to support the classic car industry.

The DVLA has published the long-awaited responses to a call for evidence launched earlier this year regarding the future of the classic car sector and whether any sweeping changes could be made to improve the industry.

Almost half of respondents (49 percent) to the call for evidence said that the current process for registering historic vehicles works well and that a separate system was not needed.

Seven per cent said small changes could be made to improve the service, while a further seven per cent said age-related registration numbers should be retained.

A further 86 per cent said there was no need for a specific series of registration numbers for historic and classic vehicles.

Classic car owners were also against the need for a new type of safety check, with this being backed by almost 400 respondents.

Despite this, 28 per cent said there should be a basic check for roadworthiness at the very least.

One respondent said: "Yes an age and status-related 'sympathetic' style MOT would be useful, particularly for classic cars that are driven fairly regularly."

The call for evidence was met with mixed responses when it came to electric conversions, which have become more popular in recent years as owners look to extend the longevity of their vehicles.

A number of suggestions were put forward to ensure that future guidance was more suitable for motorists, including 11 per cent who said it was too restrictive, making it difficult to keep the original identity and registration number.

Meanwhile, nine percent said electric conversions should not be classed as rebuilt classic or historic vehicles, while a similar proportion said the DVLA should allow for additional modifications to be made to improve safety.

In response, one classic car owner said: "The guidance is incorrect as restoring or lightly modifying a vehicle does not change what it is."

The DVLA has published the long-awaited responses to a call for evidence launched earlier this year regarding the future of the classic car sector and whether any sweeping changes could be made to improve the industry.

In May, the Government launched a call for evidence to assess the attitudes of classic car owners to see if policies needed to be updated, especially with the growth of electric vehicle technology.

One of the main questions sought views on whether there should be a separate registration process for historic and classic vehicles and if new safety checks should be introduced.

A further 86 per cent said there was no need for a specific series of registration numbers for historic and classic vehicles.

Classic car owners were also against the need for a new type of safety check, with this being backed by almost 400 respondents. Despite this, 28 per cent said there should be a basic check for roadworthiness at the very least.

One respondent said: "Yes an age and status-related 'sympathetic' style MOT would be useful, particularly for classic cars that are driven fairly regularly."

The call for evidence was met with mixed responses when it came to electric conversions, which have become more popular in recent years as owners look to extend the longevity of their vehicles.

A number of suggestions were put forward to ensure that future guidance was more suitable for motorists, including 11 per cent who said it was too restrictive, making it difficult to keep the original identity and registration number.

Meanwhile, nine per cent said electric conversions should not be classed as rebuilt classic or historic vehicles, while a similar proportion said the DVLA should allow for additional modifications to be made to improve safety.

In response, one classic car owner said: "The guidance is incorrect as restoring or lightly modifying a vehicle does not change what it is."

The DVLA thanked respondents to the call for evidence, adding: "The findings in this high-level summary report reflect the responses received.

"Further detailed analysis and consideration of the responses is being carried out with a view to formulating proposals for potential change."

Speaking at the time of the launch of the call for evidence, former Transport Secretary Mark Harper said it was "fantastic" to see so many passionate drivers and classic car organisations.

As part of the launch, the former Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean attended Bicester Heritage and was able to drive around the historic track and see the benefits of electrified classic vehicles.

He told GB News: "Some of the rules at the moment get in the way of people being able to do that [convert their classics into EVs].

"If people want to retrofit their classic cars, which a lot of people do, we want to make sure they can do that more easily, more consistently and the rules make sense.

"That is one of the things that we want people to tell us and the companies here that are involved in that business are absolutely going to tell us what to think."