DVLA’s new plans for extended car repairs and upgrades

The DVLA is drawing up plans that could have a big impact on people restoring classic cars or even converting them to electric. The government is asking for evidence from mechanics and enthusiasts to make contact.

This week the Department for Transport said it wants to look at how classic and historic cars can be preserved for future generations and boost jobs in the £18 billion classic car sector.

It said the rules on how classic cars are registered after they have been restored and upgraded have remained largely the same since the 1980s and do not take into account the enhancement of historic vehicles with modern technology.

The call for evidence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will ask drivers, classic car enthusiasts and the industry to share their proposals to help historic vehicles enter the 21st century, while prioritizing road safety and keeping accurate vehicle records.

The changes could make it easier to register vehicles to fully recognize their value while protecting potential buyers, modifying classic cars to improve their performance and retrofitting them with electric powertrains.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “The way we restore and protect classic cars has not kept pace with the times and evolving technologies, which is why we’re calling on the industry and enthusiasts to have their say on how best to protect these British classics. for decades to come.”

Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive Officer, said: “As evolving technologies continue to improve the way classic, historic and rebuilt vehicles can be modified and restored, we want to ensure we keep our registration policies and processes up to date these vehicles.

“This is one of the many ways we’re looking to make things easier and simpler for our customers, and we want to encourage enthusiasts and those individuals and organizations with a strong interest and expertise to share their views with us.”

Currently, anyone converting an older car to electric will have to re-register it. Depending on the extent of the work, the newly converted electric vehicle may fall under the rules for rebuilt vehicles or radically modified vehicles, which means it may have to pass modern vehicle safety standards and go through a lot of checks and rules. Anyone who wants to have their say on the plans can click here.