5.1 VEHICLES

• Vehicles are first registered at DVLA; plating takes place shortly after registration.
• When first taxing the vehicle, the Certificate of Conformity (COC) is among the documents produced to confirm Type Approval compliance.
• After payment of the initial VED period, a laminated plastic VTG6 plate and VTG7 plating certificate are issued by DVSA Testing and Support Services and sent to the operator.
• The VTG6 plate must be fitted inside the cab within 14 days of issue.
• The VTG7 certificate is usually kept by the operator in the vehicle history file.
• The first examination must take place before the end of the month in which the first anniversary of registration falls.
• Example from the material: registered 7 May → initial examination due before the end of May the following year.
• The first test can be brought forward to help smooth the operator’s test workload; this creates an earlier anniversary date for subsequent tests.
• Applications for examinations are made to DVSA or an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF).

5.2 TRAILERS AND SEMI-TRAILERS

• Since ECWVTA applied to goods-carrying trailers in October 2012, a new trailer or semi-trailer cannot be put into service without a manufacturer-issued Certificate of Conformity.
• The supplier must have DVSA consent to supply Type Approved trailers.
• Before handover, the supplier obtains from DVSA a unique trailer identification number and VTG6A plating plate, plus a VTG7 plating certificate.
• The VTG6A plate is affixed to the trailer; the VTG7 certificate is kept by the operator.
• The first test is required no later than the end of the month containing the first anniversary of the trailer entering service.
• The first test can be brought forward to smooth workload.
• Applications should be made as early as possible and at least one month before the examination is required.
• After a successful first examination, the trailer is issued a VTG5A test certificate.