Motor Vehicles: Ukraine

(asked on 17th February 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date his Department agreed its policy that Ukrainian refugees would be required to follow permanent vehicle importation processes for temporary stays in the UK of between six months and three years.


Answered by
Richard Holden Portrait
Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
This question was answered on 27th February 2023

In recognition of the challenges their country faces in the fight against Russian aggression, it is my intention, wherever possible, to treat Ukrainian refugees as favourably as possible, rather than in the same way as other temporary residents.

Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK by non-UK residents must generally be registered with the DVLA and issued with UK number plates to enable enforcement and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

In November this Department and associated agencies (DVLA, DVSA and VCA) acknowledged the unique nature of Ukrainians arrival in the UK and made provision to allow some temporary modifications to be made to vehicles, within existing legislation, in certain circumstances where an IVA is required, for example by allowing the use of beam deflector stickers. This decision was made to balance Ukrainians’ unique circumstances, whilst importantly ensuring road safety for all other drivers and road users. Dedicated Department for Transport (DfT) personnel have also been assigned to support Ukrainians who wish to register their vehicle, and the DfT has published detailed guidance to clearly outline the process. The dedicated resource can be accessed by contacting DVLA, DVSA or VCA as appropriate depending on the nature of the enquiry and as outlined in the guidance.

My Department continues to explore options for how it can support the Ukrainian community in the UK, and officials are also working across Whitehall to identify action that can be taken in relation to temporary admission and vehicle registration.

With regards to Driving licenses, my Department is exploring options to enable those Ukrainians that fled here to be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licences for longer, and minimise the administrative burden they face and will keep this House and the Ukrainian community in the UK updated on this work.

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