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Classic Cars

New MOT guidelines from the DVSA may lead to extensive checks for historic vehicles under proposed regulations.

A significant number of drivers, particularly classic car owners, might soon face detailed inspections to ensure their vehicles remain roadworthy. New MOT standards suggest that these owners could undergo extensive evaluations, with experts advocating for specific historic vehicle owners to comply with updated safety checks.

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has proposed that classic cars should undergo “major restoration or repair,” which could involve dismantling parts of the vehicle to inspect critical components thoroughly. In a letter to the DVLA, the FBHVC stated, “The existing periodic testing regime (MOT), with an exemption from compulsory testing for the majority of historic vehicles over 40 years old, but with the provision for voluntary tests if desired, is broadly satisfactory although there are issues with its application to historic HGVs.”

With approximately 330,000 classic cars in the UK, the FBHVC emphasized the need for these inspections. “However there may be circumstances, for example, following major restoration or repair work, when a one-off safety check would be appropriate. This may need to be a more in-depth inspection than the MOT, possibly including some degree of dismantling to permit full access to all parts of the vehicle but, in common with the MOT, should assess the vehicle with reference to the technical standards applicable when it was new. Individual Vehicle Approval which requires modern technical standards is entirely inappropriate and not suitable in this context.”

In a progress update to the FBHVC, the Department for Transport (DfT) Review Team expressed gratitude for the organization’s involvement. The team acknowledged the FBHVC’s engagement with Janette Beinart and the DVLA Review team, which influenced the final report’s recommendations. The update added, “The Review has now concluded but as you will understand, the General Election has impacted the publication of the final report. The report is subject to approval by new Ministers and we will update you in due course.”

These proposed changes indicate a shift towards more stringent checks for classic cars, ensuring they meet safety standards without imposing modern technical requirements that are unsuitable for historic vehicles. The outcome of this review will be closely watched by the community of classic car enthusiasts and owners across the UK.

Denise W.
Denise W.
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Amarah L.
Amarah L.
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Lewis was a very patient and reassuring driving instructor and couldn’t recommend him enough! Definitely couldn’t have passed without him and shift thanks!
Laura W.
Laura W.
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Recently had my first lesson with Alex at shift and was made to feel very comfortable. After several other instructors he made me feel at ease with my nerves and spoke me through what we’d be doing and boosted my confidence, can’t thank him enough and hope to be passed soon with his teaching
Georgia P.
Georgia P.
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James B.
James B.
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Thanks to Kelli’s expertise, teaching and support, I passed my driving test today on my first attempt! I cannot recommend her and Shift Driving School highly enough to anyone looking to learn to drive confidently and efficiently.My experience with Shift Driving School was fantastic, from contacting them to arrange lessons to my instructor, Kelli, who was amazing and whose lessons I thoroughly enjoyed. I will miss my weekly lessons going forward!With Kelli’s guidance, I saw great progress in a short amount of time. Her patience, positivity, and encouragement was fantastic throughout the entire process. Kelli takes time to get to know you, and I can safely say she is the kindest and most supportive driving instructor you will have.A big thanks again to Kelli for her outstanding instruction and support throughout my journey. I would never have passed without you.
Charlotte B.
Charlotte B.
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Sophie L.
Sophie L.
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Thomas G.
Thomas G.
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I just passed my driving test this morning and I honestly couldn’t be happier! A massive thank you to my instructor, Ciaran at Shift Driving School — he made the whole learning process so easy and completely stress-free. Compared to other instructors I’ve had in the past, learning with Ciaran was like night and day. He’s calm, patient, clear with his instructions, and always made me feel confident behind the wheel.The lessons were always well-structured, and Shift’s booking system through their app is super convenient and organised — no hassle at all. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish, and I never had a single issue.I genuinely couldn’t have done it without Ciaran’s support and guidance. If you’re looking for a great instructor and a reliable driving school, I highly recommend Ciaran and Shift. Thank you again!
Tarek H.
Tarek H.
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Great service. Alex showed a lot of commitment.He is highly recommended as a driving instructor. Follow his directions and get you pass the test.
Adz
Adz
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Benjamin M.
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Lewis is a great instructor very patient, clear, and encouraging he made learning to drive feel easy and enjoyable highly recommend.
Abbie R
Abbie R
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Alex was a fantastic driving instructor. He was always calm, and gave clear, easy-to-follow instructions which made me feel confident when driving. I passed first time so I would definitely recommend Shift.
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