You have found the American car you want, and now you are wondering what it takes to make it legal here. The good news: the list is shorter than most people expect. It is mostly lighting, and it is routine work for us.
Here is what usually changes, why, and which test the car takes before it can be registered.
Why American cars need changing
American cars are built to American lighting rules, which differ from ours in a few important ways. The car itself is fine. It just signals differently, and its headlights are set up for driving on the right. Before the DVLA will register it, it has to meet UK standards.
The changes, one by one
Amber rear indicators
Many American cars use the red brake lights as rear indicators, so they flash red when you turn. In the UK, direction indicators must be amber. The usual fix is to convert the rear lights so the car has a proper amber indicator, which can mean new lamps and some rewiring.
Side markers and repeaters
American cars often have side marker lights that do not meet UK rules, and they may not have the side repeaters we expect at the front of the doors or wings. These are added or changed so other drivers can see you indicate from the side.
A rear fog light
Cars first used on or after 1 April 1980 need a rear fog light, fitted in the centre or on the offside, which is the driver's side in the UK. Most American cars were never built with one, so we fit it.
Headlights for driving on the left
A headlight built for right-side driving throws its dipped beam the wrong way for UK roads, into the eyes of oncoming drivers. Most modern bi-xenon, gas discharge and LED headlights can be adjusted, and where the lamps are acceptable for the UK, that is what we do. If they cannot be adjusted, they are replaced. Headlamp aim is checked on our own private testing lane.
The speedometer
A car under 10 years old must have a speedometer that reads in mph to be registered. American cars are built for a country that uses miles, so they normally read in mph already and this one is rarely a job. It matters far more on cars from Europe or Canada.
US spec against UK requirements
| Feature | Typical US car | What the UK needs |
|---|---|---|
| Rear indicators | Often flash red, shared with the brake lights | Amber |
| Side lights | US-style side markers | Side repeaters that meet UK rules |
| Rear fog light | Usually none | One, centre or offside (cars from 1 April 1980) |
| Headlights | Dipped beam set for driving on the right | Adjusted or replaced for driving on the left |
| Speedometer | Normally mph already | Must read mph on cars under 10 years old |
The full lighting conversion on an American car is a proper job: My Car Import puts it at 8 to 10 hours of labour, using parts from its own in-house supply. Every car is different, so we check yours and tell you exactly what it needs before any work starts.
Changes to check on an American car
0 of 6 done
IVA or MOT: it depends on age
Once the changes are done, the car is tested before it can be registered. Which test it takes depends on how old it is.
| Age of the car | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years | An IVA test (Individual Vehicle Approval) |
| 10 to 40 years | An MOT, after the same kind of changes |
| Over 40 years | No MOT needed, as long as it has not been substantially changed |
An IVA test checks the car against UK safety and environmental standards, and it is the tougher of the two. Cars over 10 years old are exempt from vehicle approval, so they take an MOT instead. Either way, the lighting has to be right to pass.
Close to 10 years old? Check with us before you buy. That line decides whether the car takes an IVA test or an MOT, and the mph rule is judged on the car's age when it is imported.
Doing it all in one place
Shipping a Car is part of My Car Import, so the car does not have to travel between garages, test centres and the DVLA. We are one of only seven privately operated IVA centres in Great Britain, which means no waiting for a government test slot. Our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register imported cars within 10 working days once the car has passed.
For more on the test itself, see My Car Import's IVA testing, and for the cost of getting the car here in the first place, read what it costs to ship a car from the USA.
Questions people ask
Why do American cars need amber indicators in the UK?
Many American cars flash the red brake lights to indicate at the back. UK rules say direction indicators must be amber, so the rear lights are converted before the car can be registered.
Does an American car need a rear fog light?
Yes, if it was first used on or after 1 April 1980. It needs one rear fog light in the centre or on the offside. Most American cars do not have one, so it is fitted as part of the conversion.
Does my American car need an IVA test?
Only if it is under 10 years old. Cars over 10 years old are exempt from vehicle approval and take an MOT instead. Cars over 40 years old that have not been substantially changed do not need an MOT.
Do I need to change the speedometer on a US car?
Usually not. A car under 10 years old must read in mph to be registered, and American cars normally do already. It is a more common job on cars from Europe and Canada.
Why do the headlights on an American car need changing?
They are set up for driving on the right, so the dipped beam throws towards oncoming traffic on a UK road. Most modern headlights can be adjusted for driving on the left. If they cannot, they are replaced.
Tell us about your car on the quote form and we will let you know what it is likely to need, as well as the cost of shipping it here.
