Archive Website of the UK government

Why does MSVA exist?

It’s a requirement, across the European Community, for motorcycles and associated vehicles to be type approved prior to registration. Type approval is a set of harmonised design, construction and environmental standards that allows manufactures to build to one set of requirements for the European market.

Prior to the introduction of ECWVTA the government ran a consultation on how type approval would affect the motorcycle market in Great Britain (GB). On the basis of this consultation the government decided that the nature of the GB motorcycle market warranted a single vehicle type approval scheme to run along side ECWVTA.

Vehicles needing an MSVA test

MSVA applies to the following types of vehicles that are unregistered, under 10 years old and don’t have ECWVTA.

• two wheeled mopeds
• three wheeled mopeds
• light quadricycles
• solo motorcycles
• motorcycle combinations
• motor tricycles
• heavy quadricycles

Definitions of these vehicle types can be found in the MSVA guide

• Download 'The MSVA Guide' - SVA4(M) (PDF, 121K) Opens new window

• Download 'The MSVA Inspection Manual' (PDF, 2.01MB) Opens new window

• Download 'MSVA application form' MSVA1 (DOC, 542K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

MSVA is also a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) requirement for certain vehicles that have been radically altered or built using a mixture of components from previously registered vehicles eg:

• vehicles rebuilt using a second hand frame
• vehicles converted to a different wheelplan

Partial Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (PMSVA)

Vehicles that have ECWVTA are issued with a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). This is a declaration by the manufacturer that the vehicle, identified by its vehicle identification number (VIN), is the same in all respects as the type that gained approval. This document is usually sufficient evidence that the vehicle can be licensed and registered by DVLA for use on the road in GB.

The CoC will contain a statement indicating which rule of the road and which speedometer units the vehicle is approved for. Some type approved vehicles may not be equipped for use in GB. If this is the case VOSA can conduct a Partial MSVA check to confirm that any modifications required have been carried out correctly. The items checked are:

• headlamp dipped beam pattern (this checks that the headlamp is suitable for driving on the left)
• speedometer (checked to ensure the speed is shown in miles per hour or that the speedometer has dual mph and km/h markings)
• mirror location, this only applies to mopeds fitted with a single mirror (the check ensures a single mirror is fitted to offside (right) of the vehicle)

• Download 'MSVA Partial Inspection, frequently asked questions leaflet' (PDF, 7K) Opens new window

• Download 'Partial MSVA application' form PMSVA1 (DOC, 472K) Opens new window

• Find an MSVA test station

• Help with PDF files

Useful Contacts

• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) contacts

• Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) contacts