The Implementation date for IVA in Northern Ireland is 3 August 2009.
From 3 August 2009 , the current Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme will undergo some significant changes. This is as a result of the introduction of a new EC Directive (2007/46/EC). SVA will be replaced by Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA), a revised approval scheme which will be the route of choice for vehicles that are 'one-offs' or produced in very small numbers; vehicles imported for personal use will also be subject to the scheme. The approval process for affected passenger cars comes into effect on 3 August 2009 . Light goods vehicles (vans) will not be affected until 29 October 2011. Currently all vehicles going through SVA examinations are taken to DVA test centres and this will still be the case for IVA testing.
For some vehicle categories, i.e. passenger cars (except special purpose vehicles) the cut off date for accepting an SVA application is 3 July 2009 with the final SVA test being conducted on 31 July 2209. The last date for SVA retests is 18 December 2009 and SVA certificates will remain valid until 31 December 2009 for registering the vehicle with DVA Licensing.
ECWVTA (IVA) - Next Key Date
On August 3rd 2009 vehicle type approval became mandatory for virtually all passenger cars (M1). The rollout of type approval for other vehicle categories - new commercial vehicles and trailers - will happen over a five year period.
The next key date is 29 October 2010. This affects Minibuses, buses and coaches.
After this date, type approval becomes mandatory for all new minibuses, buses and coaches (M2 and M3 categories) that are built in a single stage. After this date, if the vehicle does not have an approval certificate it can not be registered with DVA for use on the road. No Approval No Sale!
For minibuses, buses and coaches that are built in more than one stage, for example the chassis and body are made by 2 separate companies, type approval becomes mandatory for registrations from 29 October 2011.
Affected companies and dealers are advised to begin preparations now, if they have not begun already. Bearing in mind the lead time between completion of vehicle manufacture and vehicle registration, it is essential to make the transition early to ensure that you are not left with unapproved and non-compliant stocks of vehicles after 29 October - we strongly recommend that all buses whose manufacture is finished after 29 July 2010 comply with one of the approval options (ECWVTA, NSSTA, IVA) under the new regime.
For details of all mandatory dates download a copy of the implementation
timetable.
IVA Information Guide(will open in a new window)
IVA Leaflet(will open in a new window)
IVA Newsletter(will open in a new window)
IVA inspection manuals (will open in a new window)
M1/N1 IVA Application Form (will open in a new window)
M2/M3 IVA Application Form (will open in a new window)
N2/N3 IVA Application Form (will open in a new window)
O1-O4 IVA Application Form (will open in a new window)
Final Versions of all application forms will appear soon
Latest list of IVA Fees (will open in a new window)
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The basis of a European wide approval scheme was introduced in the 1970's and we now have a scheme covering cars. The benefits of such a scheme know as European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) are clear and include:
- Consistency of environmental and safety standards.
- Independent validation of performance against legislative requirements.
- A level playing field for companies wishing to sell to Europe, reducing potential barriers to trade.
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The European approval scheme is based on the concept of 'type approval', which assesses the environmental and safety performance of a vehicle without having to inspect and test every single one
Under the EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval system, a prototype is tested. If it passes the tests and the production arrangements also pass inspection, then vehicles or components of the same type are approved for production and sale within Europe, without further testing.
Over the next number of years legislation will be introduced to extend the scope of European wide approval from just cars to lorries, minibuses, buses, coaches and trailers. If you are involved in either the manufacturing or sale of such vehicles, you will need to understand how this will affect you.
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All manufacturers of vehicles in the categories outlined below will be affected. It will apply to all elements of vehicle builds, i.e. those who build a chassis /chassis cab and those who build a body of any description on a chassis before selling the vehicle to the customer.
It is also likely to affect importers of commercial vehicles from inside and outside Europe.
If you are planning to make, import or sell vehicles in the UK or any other member state, you will need to have the appropriate approval. Without it, vehicles cannot be licensed for use on the public roads.
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From 2009, new regulations will begin to change the way vehicles can be approved for sale and registration.
The UK government realises that there are a significant number of small to medium businesses throughout the UK that build vehicles in small volumes or on an individual basis that are not for export to the European market and therefore the wider benefits of ECWVTA do not apply.
In addition, a number of national manufacturers do not produce sufficient volumes of vehicles to make it cost effective to adopt ECWVTA if it were the only option. The Government has therefore agreed in principle that there should be national schemes for small series and individual vehicle approval.
The national schemes whilst maintaining the same technical standards as defined in the EC Directive, will aim to keep the cost of compliance affordable.
the options for approval are;
- ECWVTA - Full Type Approval for all vehicle categories both single-stage complete vehicles and multi-stage incomplete vehicles and completed vehicles. The dates at which ECWVTA becomes mandatory are given in the link below.
Vehicle Certification website with dates when ECWVTA becomes mandatory (opens a new window)
- National Small Series Type Approval - for vehicles produced in small-series rather than large volumes (i.e. buses and coaches no more than 250 of a type or goods vehicles and trailers no more than 250 or 500 (depending on category) of a type, per annum).
- Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) - for vehicles approved individually. The IVA scheme is due to be phased in from July 2009 (current target date) by vehicle category.
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Vehicle Certification Agency
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) has produced a comprehensive presentation which provides a lot of useful information. Click on the link below to view the presentation:-
Vehicle Certification website ECWVTA presentation (opens a new window)
Department for Transport
Department for Transport in Great Britain have a lot of useful information on ECWVTA on their website. The site can be accessed by clicking on the link below.
Department for Transport (GB) ECWVTA site (opens a new window)
EC Directive
Link to the EC Directive which is being implemented in UK wide Regulations.
Vehicle Certification website ECWVTA presentation (PDF opens in a new window)
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If you wish to discuss any aspect of ECWVTA including IVA contact DVA at:
- E-mail: dva.ivaqueries@doeni.gov.uk
- or
- Telephone: 028 90 541841
- Address:
- Driver & Vehicle Agency
- Balmoral Road,
- Boucher Road,
- Belfast.
- BT12 6QL
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European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) - Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)
Individual Vehicle Approval