What is a Q plate?

If you've got a kit car or an imported car, you might need to get a Q plate. You usually get these if you can't find a car's age or identify it. Sometimes you need a Q plate if you've radically modified or rebuilt a car. In this article, we'll look at when you might need a Q plate, and how to get a Q plate from the Driver and Vehicle Licencsing Agency (DVLA) if you need one.

What is a Q number plate?

A 'Q' plate is just like a regular plate, but it will be prefixed with a 'Q' and can only be issued by the DVLA and not direct from manufacturers. You might need a Q plate if the car's age and identity is uncertain, or it's been radically altered. This might be something to look out for if you're buying a used car privately.

You might find Q plates on:

• Cars that have been stolen and recovered. If the authorities can't verify its identity they'll give the car a Q plate
• Kit cars. These cars are often made up of lots of different parts, usually from multiple vehicles
• Imported cars. If you can't prove the car's manufacture date, the car might get a Q plate
• Radically modified cars. If you've done serious rebuilding or modification to your car and used lots of different parts, you might get a Q plate.

The Q doesn't stand for anything, it's just an identifier so that people can see that the car's identity is in question.

Do I need a Q plate?

You potentially need a Q plate if you've:

• Built or rebuilt a car
• Radically altered a car
• Reconstructed a classic car
• Imported a car
• Modified a goods vehicle.

You can find more information on this on GOV.UK's vehicle approval page. We'll talk through how to get a Q plate next.

How do I get a Q plate for my vehicle?

To get a Q plate, you'll need to get an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test for your car. The IVA is an inspection to make sure that the vehicle meets certain legal standards. 

How to apply for an IVA

First you need to apply for an IVA:

• Find your vehicle registration number, if your car doesn't have one, you can apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for a vehicle identification number (VIN)
Pick a test centre from GOV.UK's list
Fill out the application form for your type of vehicle
Fill out the seat belt anchorage form
If you've got a kit car or amateur build car, fill out an amateur built declaration form
Go to the individual approval service and submit your forms.

It usually takes the DVLA about 20 days to get back to you. Once they have, you need to take your car to a test centre for its approval exam. This'll either be a basic or a normal individual vehicle approval exam.

Basic IVA

You'll need the basic IVA if you've got one of the following vehicles:

• Personal import (for example, you're importing a car that you want to drive rather than importing lots to sell)
• Kit cars (amateur built vehicles)
• Rebuilt vehicles
• Very low volume production vehicles
• Ambulances
• Motor caravans
• Hearses
• Armoured vehicles
• Left hand drive vehicles
• A vehicle that's made up of parts from other registered vehicles.

With the basic IVA an examiner will do a visual inspection and some tests to check that the car complies with regulations. You might have to remove engine covers, trims or carpeting so the examiner can check the structure of the car too.

If the examiner is happy, you'll get an Individual Approval Certificate (IAC). If your vehicle doesn't meet these standards then you might be refused an IAC.

Normal IVA

If your vehicle doesn't fit into the categories listed, you'll have to have a normal IVA. These vehicles are tested in the same way as the basic IVA, but there are extra safety and environmental checks. For example, brakes, crash safety, seat belt installation, exhaust emissions, silencers and anti-theft protection to name a few. You must also have certain documents for a basic IVA.

Tip: You can't use the IVA scheme if you've registered your car in the UK before. You'll need to use the voluntary IVA scheme instead.

Once you've got your Q plate, your old registration number will be invalid.

What happens after I pass my IVA?

You've passed your IVA and got your certificate, hurrah! So here's what happens next:

• Register your vehicle with the DVLA. To do this, you'll need to send your IAC to the DVLA. You might also need to send your proof of ownership documents
• Get your Q plate registration. When the DVLA has processed your application, you'll get your Q plate registration
• Pay for your car tax and insurance. It's against the law to drive a car without insurance and tax. You'll have to get both of these once you've got your Q plate. We'll talk more about this in a moment
• Get the registration documents and plates. After you've followed these steps, you should get your V5C logbook in the post with the Q plate registration details. You can then get the physical Q plates made and fit them to your vehicle.

When all this is done, you can hit the road in your freshly Q plated car.

Do I need car insurance for my Q reg car?

Yes, you'll need to insure your car when the DVLA have confirmed your Q plate registration. This applies to all vehicles. You might struggle to get car insurance for a Q reg car and it could be more expensive than standard car insurance. We also don't compare quotes for Q plate car insurance, but you might find it through some specialist insurers.

When you do find insurance for your Q reg car, you might be asked questions about:

• The make, model and the specification
• Any modifications to your car and the parts used if you've rebuilt it
• The car's documentation and to send photos of the car.

Do I need to tax my Q plate car?

Yes, you'll need to tax your Q plate car if you're driving it on public roads. You should do this once the DVLA has confirmed your Q plate registration and you've got your paperwork through. You can find out more on how to tax your car in our guide.

You might not have to tax your vehicle if it's in the 'historic vehicle' tax class category, but you need to contact the DVLA to get this exemption. This is usually for cars that are over 40 years old. You can check if your car's tax with our car tax checker tool.

Does my Q registration plate car need an MOT?

Typically, your refunded car tax should arrive within 6 to 8 weeks. If you haven't received a cheque after 8 weeks, you should contact the DVLA.

If for whatever reason the cheque contains errors, including your name, you should return it by post and contact the DVLA.

What happens to my car insurance if I sell my car?

Yes, it's illegal to drive on public roads without an MOT unless you're driving to get your MOT test. You'll also need a valid MOT to insure your Q plate car. The only exception is if your car is over 40 years old. Use our MOT checker to see if your vehicle has a valid MOT.