Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) procedure, and (2) protocol, for the temporary export of classic cars to (a) Hungary, and (b) the rest of the EU, for (i) repair, and (ii) return, to the UK.

There is no requirement to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that a vehicle has been temporarily exported. All UK-registered vehicles must either remain registered or the keeper must only notify the DVLA if it has been permanently exported.

A UK-registered vehicle can be driven to Hungary or an EU member state and used in that country for up to six months in any 12-month period. The vehicle must remain properly registered and licensed in the UK and have a valid MoT (if needed).

If a vehicle is to be permanently exported, the vehicle keeper must complete the ‘export’ section of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) and return it to the DVLA. The vehicle record will then be amended to show that the vehicle has been permanently exported. The remaining part of the V5C will need to be retained and provided to the relevant vehicle registration authority as required.

The keeper of a vehicle which is registered in the UK and is significantly restored or rebuilt should notify the DVLA. An inspection of the vehicle or other evidence may be required to ensure the vehicle register is updated where necessary.