DVLA's new plans over extensive repairs and modernisation for cars

The DVLA is drawing up plans which could have a big impact on people restoring classic cars or even converting them to electric power. The government is calling for evidence from mechanics and enthusiasts to get in touch.

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

It said that the rules around how classic cars are registered after being restored and upgraded have largely remained the same since the 1980s, and do not account for improving 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 into the 21st century, while prioritising road safety and retaining accurate vehicle records.

Changes could make it easier to register vehicles to fully recognise their value while protecting prospective buyers, modify classic cars to improve their performance and retrofit them with electric powertrains.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “The way we restore and protect classic cars has not kept up with the times and evolving technologies, which is why we are calling for industry and enthusiasts to have their say on how to best 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 that we keep the policies and registration processes for these vehicles up to date.

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

Currently anyone converting an older car to electric power will need to re-register it. Depending on the extent of the work, the newly converted EV may fall under the rules for rebuilt vehicles or radically altered vehicles meaning it could have to pass safety standards for modern vehicles and go through a lot of checks and rules. Anyone wanting to have their say over the plans can click here.