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The Vehicle
Identity Check
(VIC) Scheme
Vehicle Identity and Crime

Vehicle crime is a serious problem. It costs the economy an

estimated 3 billion a year and it affects motorists directly by
raising insurance premiums.
One aspect of vehicle crime is car ringing. 'Ringing' is a practice
which involves passing off stolen cars as repaired accident
damaged cars. One consequence of this is that innocent members
of the public can find that they have been sold a car which later
turns out to have been stolen. The Vehicle Identity Check (VIC)
was introduced on 7th April 2003 and makes car 'ringing' more
difficult.
From this date damaged cars must be notified to the Driver and
Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if the cost of repair exceeds the
pre-accident value. Usually this takes place when an Insurer
decides to 'write off' a car, following an engineer's assessment of
the damage. These cars are given a VIC marker, which is a note
added to the DVLA computer record and as long as it remains on
the record, DVLA will not issue a replacement Registration
Certificate (V5C, commonly known as a log book) or Vehicle
Licence reminder (V11) for the car. The VIC marker will be
removed when the car passes a VIC. This means that its identity
has been confirmed by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
(VOSA). DVLA will then be able to issue a replacement V5C.

Remember: If you buy a car that has been 'written off' by an Insurer
it is likely that it will need a VIC even though the accident damage may
seem light. You can confirm that the car has a VIC marker, or if a
previous VIC has already been carried out, by telephoning VOSA on
08706060440. VOSA will only need to carry out a VIC once a VIC
marker has been set. If this has not happened, or if a VIC has already
been carried out, VOSA need not and cannot carry out a VIC.

When is a VIC needed?

If your car is involved in an accident and subsequently notified to
DVLA as 'written off' by an Insurer, but you decide to keep the car
to repair yourself, it may still get a VIC marker. You should still
have the V5C and you can legally drive the car as long as it is
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licensed, has a valid MOT, is roadworthy, and you have appropriate

insurance cover. However, if a VIC marker is set, DVLA will not
issue you with a V11 or a new V5C if you should need a
replacement. This could cause you some inconvenience. VOSA's
advice is that you find out whether a VIC marker has been set by
telephoning VOSA on 0870 60 60 440. Then if there is a VIC
marker set, apply for a suitable date for the VIC to be carried out.
NOTE: If you buy a car without a V5C or that requires a VIC, you may not

be able to register or license the car until the car has passed a VIC.

How do I apply for a VIC?

Contact VOSA on 0870 60 60 440 who can confirm that a VIC

marker is set. VOSA will not carry out a VIC unless a VIC
marker is shown on the DVLA vehicle record.
Complete an application form (VIC1), available from VOSA, or
the website www.direct.gov.uk. Forward the completed
VIC1 either to the VIC site of your choice, or to VOSA,
Welcombe House, (full addresses are shown on form VIC1) with
the correct fee. VOSA are not able to confirm an appointment
until these have been received. In addition to postal
applications, shortly we will be offering an Internet
service, where applications may be submitted online.
Contact VOSA for further information.
The cost of the VIC can be found on www.direct.gov.uk or by
telephoning VOSA on 0870 60 60 440.
Once VOSA has received your application you will receive
confirmation from VOSA, of the date, time and location of the VIC.

Can I drive the car to the VIC site?

You can drive to the VIC site as long as the car is
Covered by a valid MOT certificate (if applicable)
In a roadworthy condition
Displaying number plates
You do not need road tax to drive directly to or from a VIC, but you
should be aware that it is an offence to keep or use a car on public
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roads if it is not taxed and registered. Also make sure that if the
car is being driven to the VIC site the person driving the car is
insured to do so. VOSA will not carry out a VIC unless the car is
capable of being driven under its own power. However if, for some
other reason, it cannot be driven to the VIC site it can be
transported, but arrangements must be made in advance with the
VIC Site Manager. Please allow additional time if the car is to arrive
by transporter, in order for it to be unloaded safely, prior to the start
of the appointment.

What do I do if the car does not have number plates fitted and
I need to drive to the VIC?
Contact VOSA on 0870 60 60 440 who may be able to assist you
with obtaining number plates. They will need to confirm
That the car has a VIC marker set
That you are the Registered Keeper of the car

What happens at the VIC site?

You will need to report to reception on or before the appointed time,
with your appointment letter and any evidence to support your
application e.g. purchase/repair receipts, MOT certificate, etc. The
VIC will be carried out by a trained inspector. It takes about 20
minutes. You will not be allowed to watch the VIC. You must also
comply with all on-site Health and Safety requirements and any
instructions given to you by VOSA staff. VIC sites can be busy
places, with vehicles manoeuvring in restricted areas.
Consequently, VOSA do not permit animals or children under
16 on site. Also, you are asked to restrict the number of
accompanying adults.
The VIC may involve checking the car's accident damage but this is
for identification purposes only, it does not assess the quality of the
repair, so you should seek independent expert opinion as to
whether the car is roadworthy. The car must be repaired to a high
enough standard to indicate that it is going to be put back on the
road. If it is not, VOSA may refuse to conduct the VIC. If, whilst
carrying out the VIC the inspector notices a serious defect which
would make the car dangerous to drive, then they will issue a
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prohibition notice. This will mean that the car cannot be driven until
it has been made roadworthy, and the prohibition has been removed.

If your car is found to be acceptable at a VIC

If your car is found to be acceptable at a VIC the DVLA record will
be updated with the result. This normally occurs within 48 hours.
You will be issued with a VIC Pass Certificate (VIC20) and you can
then apply to DVLA for a V5C using a V62 application form. There
is a fee required (for details of this contact DVLA on
0870 240 0010) but if your car was a category C 'write off' you are
exempt from payment. You must confirm the category in the box
provided on the form V62.
If prior to carrying out the VIC you have already submitted a V62 to
the DVLA, you would have been sent a letter (V959) informing you
that your vehicle needed a VIC. Following a successful VIC, this
letter should be returned to DVLA complete with the date of the VIC
pass. DVLA will then arrange to issue a V5C.
In addition, if you intend to license the vehicle straight away at your
DVLA Local Office, they may ask to see the VIC20. If you lose or
have not been given the VIC20 then the DVLA record will still be
updated automatically. However, if you require a duplicate VIC20
then this can be obtained either from the VIC site or from VOSA
VIC Support on 0870 60 60 440.
Once issued the new V5C will permanently indicate that the car
has had its identity checked.
If you are considering buying a car which already has a VIC20 but
no V5C, we would strongly advise that you first check the validity of
the VIC20 by contacting VOSA on 0870 60 60 440.

If you car is found to be unacceptable at a VIC

If your car fails to satisfy the VOSA inspector at a VIC, you will be
issued with a VIC Failure notice (VIC21), which will give the
reasons for "failure". If the car has "failed" because it does not
match the DVLA vehicle record, VOSA will investigate and rectify
any discrepancies where they may exist. Other cases may be
referred to the Police for further investigation. This does not
necessarily mean the car is stolen; it is part of the process to try
and confirm the identity of the car. If following further investigations
the identity of the car can be satisfactorily confirmed, VOSA will
amend the "fail" result to a "pass" result.
Local VOSA staff will try to explain to you as fully as possible the
reasons for failure, but if you need further advice please contact
VOSA on 0870 60 60 440.

The VIC is a once - only process and if VOSA have issued a

VIC failure notice for a car then they will not accept any further VIC
applications for that car. However, the original applicant can make
an appeal against a failure decision (see below).

NOTE:

VIC Appeals
If you do not agree with the result of the VIC, you can make an
appeal to VOSA. Appeals must be submitted on form VIC 17,
together with the correct fee (current VIC fee). For further
information regarding the Appeal procedure, contact VOSA.

For further information about the VIC please contact VOSA on

0870 60 60 440 or visit: www.direct.gov.uk

VOSA/VIC/1301/NOV05