Temporary car insurance
If you plan to bring your car to the UK temporarily while you are on holiday, studying or working, you can do so without registering it as a vehicle in the UK.
- You can drive a car registered abroad in the UK for six months without having to register it.
- The six-month period allows you to use the car for up to six months within a 12-month period. This can be a single visit or a number of shorter visits totalling six months and your car must be registered and taxed in your home country.
- You can drive your car while you are studying or working if you are in the UK for a certain period, but you will need to apply for VAT and duty exemption and carry this evidence with you in case you are stopped by the police.
If you are driving a car temporarily in the UK, your current home insurance policy must be valid until it expires.
Please note that your insurance policy may only provide minimum UK cover (usually third party insurance), even if you have a higher level of insurance at home.
Check with your current insurer to see if you have UK driving insurance and if it is third party only you can ask for an increase.
Depending on where you come from, you may be issued a green card document proving that you are insured.
How difficult is it to insure an imported car in the UK?
Insuring an imported car in the UK can be quite difficult, especially if it has been built for markets outside the EU. The problem is that insurers cannot clearly estimate the cost of repairing your car and the cost of spare parts, so many of them refuse to insure an imported car.
Using a foreign car if you decide to stay in the UK for more than six months
If you become a UK resident or stay in the UK for more than six months, you must register and tax your car.
If your car stays in the UK permanently, you will need to re-register it. Your car may need to be tested under the Individual Vehicle Approval scheme to make sure it is fit for use on UK roads.
Using foreign number plates for longer than six months
– you normally live outside the UK or the EU
– you’re in the UK for a set period as a student or worker
– you claim relief from VAT and duty
– HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will give you a customs relief form when you claim relief – show it to police if you’re stopped when driving the vehicle.
