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How the IVA scheme works

The IVA inspection checks that your vehicle is designed and constructed to meet modern safety and environmental standards for use on UK roads.

Examiners from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency do inspections at approved sites in Great Britain. The Driver Vehicle Agency does inspections in Northern Ireland.

If your vehicle passes an IVA inspection, the examiner issues an Individual Approval Certificate. You can then register your vehicle with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency using the certificate.

Who can use the IVA scheme

You can use the IVA scheme if you:

• build, design or sell kit cars
• import cars from outside the European Union - particularly the Far East and North America
• rebuild older cars with major changes
• specialise in converting new vehicles into wheelchair accessible vehicles
• manufacture a small number of vehicles
• manufacture or import trailers
• manufacture or import passenger vehicles
• manufacture or import goods vehicles

You can find out more about the IVA scheme and other vehicle type approval schemes on the Business Link website.

• Businesslink.gov.uk Opens new window

Vehicles that can use the IVA scheme

The IVA scheme applies to the following vehicle types, including vehicles used for personal use:

• passenger cars and light goods vehicles
• larger passenger vehicles like buses and coaches
• medium to heavy sized goods vehicles like trucks and heavy goods vehicles
• trailers

Start dates for the IVA scheme

The IVA scheme will replace the current Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme over the next few years.

The IVA will be introduced to different vehicles at different dates, but is available as an option to other approval schemes until the introductory date.

IVA start date	Type of vehicle
29 April 2023	Passenger cars
29 October 2023	Larger passenger vehicles
29 October 2023	Light goods vehicles – these will still be checked under the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme until it is replaced by the IVA scheme
29 April 2023	Special purpose vehicles, like a vehicle that has a special provision to accommodate a wheelchair
29 October 2023	Medium to heavy goods vehicles and trailers

If you currently use the passenger car or light goods vehicle SVA scheme you will need to start using the IVA scheme at the appropriate time.

• Find an IVA test station

• View a list of the IVA application forms Opens new window

• The Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme

• Download 'Individual Vehicle Approval test fees' (PDF, 294K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files