How Do We Re-Register Cars Now We've Moved Back To Uk?

[jourdain2]

'Evening everyone! I really hope someone can help us with this, it's complicated.

Over the last couple of years, whilst living in France, we have bought 2 r-hand drive cars from English owners who moved to France and re-registered the cars there. Both cars were originally registered in UK (a BMW series 3 and a Renault Megane). When we relocated last month from UK to East Yorkshire, we (naturally) came in our cars.

For the Renault, we know the original registration number and we have reinstalled the headlights which we bought with the car.

Problem: we can't make head nor tail of the DVLC site, nor can we get through to anyone on the telephone - we've been trying for days. Surely it should be easy (given the VI Numbers) to reissue the original number plates? The insurance will run out in a couple of months and the paperwork we have seen seems to require import certificates and all sorts of horrors. We never had this problem moving our cars (different cars) to France.

Does anyone know the way around this labyrinth, please? Our neighbour (policeman) has tried and is baffled - he's going to ask the traffic division!

[Buenchico]

Order an 'import pack' (which will be sent to you by post) here:
https://www.gov.uk/dvlaforms

[jourdain2]

Thanks, Buenchico.

[EDDIE51]

I am almost certain that you will not get the old UK registration numbers back. They now count as imports no different to any other personally imported car.

[jourdain2]

Ta, Eddie :) What a hassle!

[SpikeyBush]

I agree. I too looked into returning to live permanently in the UK but the regulations surrounding importing my car made eye surgery seem simple. Instead I just kept my main residence in the Irish Republic and drive to Northern Ireland on a Monday morning, stay in digs for the week while I conduct my business and return to the Republic Friday evening. Depending on who gets into number 10 next week this may be hampered if the UK votes to exit the EU as it may see the reinstatement of border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic, thus curtailing a little sideline I have on the go with cross border movement of goods various.

[jourdain2]

You have our sympathy spikeybush! I supposes keeping our residence in France re. cars may be the answer. We haven't yet sold the house and will be returning to see friends etc.. Food for thought. Thanks for taking the trouble - and good luck!