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Vehicles needing a temporary UK ‘Q’ number plate

If you visit the UK for up to six months and bring your vehicle with you, you may need a temporary UK number plate. Vehicles needing a temporary UK ‘Q’ number plate are those showing non-UK identifiable letters and numbers. For example, a vehicle showing Arabic script plates would not be identifiable in the UK.

Temporary ‘Q’ plates are also issued to vehicles that are not registered in their home country but need to be registered in the UK.

Vehicles staying in the UK for a longer period than six months need to register and license here. However, there are exemptions for students and workers who normally live outside the UK but are only in the UK for a set study or work period.

Getting a temporary ‘Q’ number plate for your vehicle

When coming to the UK for a visit and bringing your vehicle with you, you will be temporarily importing it. If you temporarily import a non-EU registered vehicle and customs relief is claimed under ‘Temporary Admission’, you’ll need to contact the National Import Relief Unit (NIRU).

As long as you and your vehicle meet the conditions set by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the NIRU within HMRC can stamp the back of your notification form C110 on arrival and departure.

If you did not complete a C110 on arrival to the UK, you will need to complete as soon as possible and send it to NIRU.

Contact details for NIRU

NIRU
Abbey House Head Street
Enniskillen
Country Fermanagh
BT 74 7JL

• Notice of arrival of a temporarily imported non-EU private vehicle (C110) Opens new window

Sending your C110 notification form to the RAC or DVLA

Once your stamped/approved C110 notification form is returned to you from Customs, you will need to send it to Bristol RAC or to the DVLA local office in Wimbledon upon arrival to the UK. You will also need to send the following documents:

• foreign registration certificate
• personal identification such as your passport
• insurance document (green card insurance can be accepted for foreign temporary use in the UK)
• details of a UK contact address and place of entry into the UK

When your documents have been received by Bristol RAC or Wimbledon local office they will send you:

• details of the UK temporary ‘Q’ registration number
• a V573 temporary registration card

Wimbledon local office and RAC do not currently charge a fee for this service.

RAC and DVLA Wimbledon local office addresses

Send your stamped notification form C110 to either the RAC or DVLA Wimbledon local office.

Once you’ve received V573 temporary registration card

Once you’ve received your V573 temporary registration card you’ll need to take it to a number plate supplier. While there is no expiry on this registration card, the temporary Q plate is issued on the understanding that it is for temporary display while someone from outside the UK is travelling within the UK for their visits. Such visits should not exceed a six month period.

The number plate supplier will be able to make new UK ‘Q’ number plates for your vehicle.

The supplier may ask you to show identification such as your passport. The number plate supplier will charge a fee for making the plates.