Car insurance for temporary imports (non-UK residents)

Car insurance for temporary imports (non-UK residents)

Using a foreign car if you are visiting the UK

If you’re planning to bring your car to the UK while you’re visiting, studying, or working, you are able to do so temporarily without registering it as a UK vehicle.

• You can drive a foreign-registered car in the UK for up to six months without the need to register it, unless your number plates display numbers or letters that are not identifiable in the UK (e.g. Arabic script)

• You can drive your car for the duration of your study or work assignment if you’re in the UK for a set period, but you will need to claim relief from VAT and duty and have that evidence to hand in case you are stopped by the police.

The six-month period allows you to use the car for up to six months during a 12-month period. This can be one single visit, or several shorter visits adding up to a six-month period, and your car needs to be registered and taxed in its home country.

There are slightly different rules if you're coming from the EU to Northern Ireland. Find out more about temporary car imports at Gov.uk.

Insuring a foreign car if you’re visiting the UK

If you’re driving your car in the UK temporarily, your existing insurance policy from your home country should be valid until it expires.

But this might provide only the minimum cover in the UK – which is normally third-party cover – even if you hold a higher level of insurance back home.

Check with your existing insurer whether you’re covered to drive your car in the UK, and if it’s only third-party cover you can ask to increase it.

Depending on where you’re from, you might be given a ‘green card’ document to prove you’re covered.

Is it difficult to insure an imported car in the UK?

It can be difficult to insure an imported car in the UK, especially if it was built for markets outside the EU. The issue is that insurers can't accurately assess the cost of repairs and replacement parts, so a lot of them won't provide a quote. If this is the case with your car, you'll have to shop around.

Using a foreign car if you are planning to stay in the UK

If you become a resident or stay for longer than six months you must register and tax your vehicle in the UK.

If you plan to keep your car in the UK permanently, you’ll need to re-register your vehicle. Your car may need to be tested under the Individual Vehicle Approval scheme to ensure it is fit for permanent use on UK roads. 

There are slightly different rules for importing from the EU to Northern Ireland. Find out more on Gov.uk.

Insuring a foreign car if you’re planning to stay in the UK

Once you’ve been driving in the UK for six months (or your current insurance policy expires), you usually need to get a UK insurance policy for your imported car.

In order to do this, you should register your car for UK use before you can start looking for a UK-based insurer.

Your car may need to be tested under the Individual Vehicle Approval scheme to ensure it is fit for permanent use on UK roads.

There are slightly different rules if coming from the EU to Northern Ireland.

Importing your car if you're moving to the UK

If you are bringing your car into the UK, you need to tell HMRC within 14 days that the vehicle has arrived in the UK.

You will also have to:

• Pay VAT and duty if HMRC tells you to

• Get vehicle approval to show your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards

• Register and tax the vehicle with DVLA they’ll give you a registration number so you can get number plates made up

• You must also get insurance before you drive it on UK roads.

You can claim duty relief by filling in form C110 and taking your vehicle through the ‘nothing to declare’ channel when you arrive in the UK.

There are slightly different rules for importing from the EU to Northern Ireland. Find out more on Gov.uk.

Using foreign number plates for longer than six months

You might be able to use a vehicle with foreign number plates for longer than six months if:

• 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.

How to save on foreign import car insurance

There are several things you can do to bring down the cost of your car insurance.

Consider using a specialist insurer

Many larger insurers are wary of imported vehicles, especially personal imports that have not come through trusted manufacturers, so you may need to use a specialist car insurer.

Increase your car’s security

As imported cars are rarer than standard models, they are more likely to be targeted by thieves.

Keep your car in a locked garage or on a secure drive rather than on the road, if possible, and consider installing an alarm and a tracker.

Limited use

If your imported car is going to be a second vehicle for just occasional use, let your insurer know because reduced annual mileage can see your insurance costs fall.

Advanced driving

You might qualify for a discount if you have previous experience of driving performance models. You could also consider taking an advanced driving course as some insurers will cut your premiums if you get a qualification.

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