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How a VIC marker is set

Insurers should notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of all cars ‘written off’ within salvage categories A, B or C. This notification will set a ‘VIC marker’ against the DVLA vehicle record. While a VIC marker remains set, DVLA won’t issue a registration certificate V5C, or vehicle licence reminder V11.

The VIC marker will only be removed when the car passes a VIC.

Checking a vehicle’s identity

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) carries out the VIC. It’s designed to confirm the car’s identity and help ensure that the genuine car is returned to the road.

The VIC takes around 20 minutes to complete and involves comparing the details on the DVLA vehicle record against the car presented. The VIC is a check of identity, it doesn’t look at the quality of the repair or confirm roadworthiness. If you have any concerns regarding these aspects, you should seek the opinion of an independent expert.

Once a car has passed a VIC, the V5C issued will be annotated to show ‘substantially repaired and/or accident damaged; identity checked on dd/mm/ccyy’.

Confirming if a VIC marker is set

You can check if a VIC marker is set, by making a vehicle enquiry through the Vehicle Enquiry section of DVLA's vehicle online services. To make your enquiry you’ll need to know the vehicle registration mark and vehicle make.

Once you make an enquiry the VIC marker will only show if it’s been set against the vehicle record by DVLA.

• Vehicle details enquiry Opens new window

By phone

You can also check if a VIC marker is set by contacting VOSA on 0300 123 9000.

Applying for a VIC

A VIC is available at a number of VOSA locations. You’ll need to complete a VIC1 application form and submit this to VOSA, together with the correct fee (see the table below).

You can submit the form online as long as you want to pay by either credit or debit card or have a VOSA pre-funded account. VOSA cannot collect your card details online, but will contact you for this once your VIC1 application form has been received.

Once your application has been processed, VOSA will notify you of your appointment.

Full instructions and the terms and conditions are given on page three of the VIC1 application form.

• Apply for a vehicle identity check

• VOSA Vehicle Identity Check test stations (VIC)

Taking the car for a VIC

When you take your car for a VIC the following must apply:

• repairs must be conducted and the car must be roadworthy and capable of being driven under its own power
• if it's over three years old, the car must be covered by a valid MOT if it's being driven to the VIC
• the person driving the car must be insured
• the car must display front and rear number plates if it's being driven to the VIC - for assistance in obtaining number plates, contact VOSA on 0300 123 9000

A car can be driven directly to and from a pre-arranged VIC without road tax.

Following a VIC

If VOSA confirms your car's identity

If VOSA is satisfied with the identity of your car, you’ll be given a VIC20 pass certificate. DVLA will be electronically notified of the pass result.

You can apply to DVLA for a V5C using the V62 form. If your car was a category C ‘write off’ you should declare this when completing the form, as you are exempt from paying the V62 application fee.

If you submitted a V62 form to DVLA before taking your car for a VIC, you’ll have received a VIC notification letter from DVLA. This letter should now be returned to DVLA, with the declaration completed.

• Download 'Application form for a Vehicle Registration Certificate V5C - form V62' (PDF, 203K)

• Help with PDF files

If VOSA cannot confirm your car's identity

If VOSA cannot confirm the identity of your car, you’ll be issued with a VIC failure notice (VIC21), which will give the reasons for failure. VOSA will refer the case either to the police or DVLA for further investigation. VOSA will monitor its progress and tell you of the outcome once complete. This may take several weeks.

If following investigation, the car’s identity is confirmed as the original, VOSA will issue a pass result. However, if the car’s identity cannot be confirmed, the VIC marker will stay on the vehicle record and DVLA will not issue a registration certificate.

VIC appeals

If you don’t agree with the result of the test, you can make an appeal to VOSA. Appeals must be submitted on a VIC17 form, together with the correct fee.

• VIC information leaflet (in a variety of languages) Opens new window

More useful links

• Vehicle details enquiry

• Apply for a VIC test

• Find your nearest VIC test station