I looked into this when I wanted to register a camper in the UK. Even though it was originally a UK vehicle that had been taken to France it had to have headlamps that dipped the right way and a speedo that read in miles per hour and not just KpH. This could not be handwritten numbers on the dial, but a proper printed overlay.

I think you may also need an EU certificate of conformity, in English. Dacia should be able to provide this for you for a fee.

If you are now resident in the UK you need to register it now. The six month limit is only for people visiting the UK. If stopped by the police you will need to be able to prove to their satisfaction that you are not resident here.

It is not illegal in itself to drive a foreign registered car if you are resident here, but your car ought to conform to UK rules, ie it must be taxed and have a valid MOT.

In the end I gave up as I couldn't get the headlamps and sold the camper in France and bought another one in the UK.

Thank you for that. Its first MOT is due in May as is the insurance.

I'll sell it in March.

So they change the word "single" to "individual":I wonder how much that has cost us taxpayers!

As the vehicle was first registered in france it must have conformed to EU type approval otherwise you would not have been able to register it in france.

If it has EU type approval it can be registered in any country in the EU including the UK.

Look at the french registration document, the carte grise, look for the type approval number in section K, if it starts with the letter E it has eu type approval and you should not need a Certificate of Conformity from Dacia france to register it in the UK.

As for the headlamps etc why not just go to your local dacia dealer in the Uk? Or contact Dacia Uk?

Stick on strips won't do. to register the car you have to declare that the headlamps dip the correct way.

Beam deflectors would probably be ok for the MOT if the car was already registered here, but not for a new registration.

so once you have done all that you have to sign a form to state that your car complies with the folowing from the vehicle certification agency:

Please read the written statements below, once all items apply to your vehicle, tick the relevant boxes and sign and date the statement at the bottom confirming that your vehicle now conforms to each of these points in full. Please note we can not accept any options other than those outlined below.

That the headlamps are UK specification (headlight beam dips to the left). Note: stickers, beam-benders / deflectors are not acceptable.

We can accept any one of the following options:

a) UK specification, left dipping, headlights that are used in replacement of the original factory fitted headlights

b) Original factory fitted UK specification headlights (dipping left as standard)

c) Original factory fitted headlights that are, through a standard feature of the vehicle, adjustable so that the beam can be changed from right dipping to left dipping

d) Original factory fitted flat-beam headlights (we can not accept a right dipping beam that is adjusted to flat-beam unless that is a standard feature of the vehicle, e.g. done via operation of a lever)

Dacia did make a RHD version- shipped in CKD form to South Africa built there in a Nissan factory and presumably sold and used there.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/dacia/logan-mcv-2006...y

If the parts were shipped to SA to build them there they were shipped from the logistics centre in Romania, so the rhd headlamps must exist in europe-the problem is getting hold of them!

Problem would be are the South African headlights to UK spec and "E" marked. If not they would be no use.

Unless the rules have changed since I last took cars to Vosa for SVA tests, They don't have to be "E" marked or to "UK SPEC" They just have to have the right beam pattern, dipping to the left when tested by the inspector. I used to take a screw driver with me and adjust them there and then if the beam was not right.

My advice to the OP would be to call one of the VOSA testing stations and ask them. Both Edmonton and Southampton VOSA testing stations have very helpful staff.

I've just read the IVA manual (dated March 2009) section on headlamps (section 25) page 1 of 8.

There is nothing stated refering to headlamp having to be approved to UK specification. They need to have the characteristics of a UK specification headlamp.

It only states that Gas Discharge Headlamps have to be "E" marked.

However, I do agree it can be a lottery as to getting a tester who can read the manual without making up rules of their own in the mean time.

I once had one use 2 hands and a foot to yank the fog light wiring from it's clips and then put it down as a failure due to unsecure wiring.

Edited by Wackyracer on 02/03/2015 at 12:32

It all changed since I last had any dealings with it then. At that time all the major sellers would list their products as being "E" marked as required by IVA and the chap across the road used to have fun when he imported Mustangs (and not just with headlamps).

Just over a year ago I imported my Citroen C3 Picasso from Spain, started by getting a Certificate of Conformity from the Spanish dealer, €100!, I then accessed the DVLA website that sets out the procedure, first thing you need to do is go through a process with NOVA, a new govt office, Notification Of Vehicle Arrival, I believe they are mainly concerned that no VAT is owing on the car, when they confirm by letter or email that they have received your letter with relevent details then you can carry on with the normal import and registration preocess as set out on the DVLA website. One setback is that none of the UK insurers witll accept a foreign NCD certificate, even though mine was with "Linea Direct", Direct Line would not honour it. You also have to insure the vehicle in order to tax it, I had to do this on the VIN number as I did not have a registration number at the time, and not many insurers are interested.

I ended up with DL because they would insurre with VIN only, 12 months later, on a UK plate, LV are quids cheaper.

Back on topic re headlamps, all I was required to do was supply a letter from a garage on VAT headed notepaper stating that the Speedo read in MPH, the headlamps had been changed to RHD, (I bought new) and that the foglamps and reversing lights had been swapped over. MY old headlamps are now driving around France, thanks to eBay..When I subsequently took it for MOT they did NOT look for E numbers, just checked the beam pattern... perhaps I was lucky, you could get a pedantic tester.

Best of luck

i should also add, when I used to drive it back and to from Spain I was able to drive it in UK under my Spanish insurance with no problems, however, as soon as you acquire a UK address it then becomes illegal to drive the vehicle other than from the port of entry to your home! Read the small print on the DVLA website..

Edited by dadbif on 03/03/2015 at 08:49

Why should the headlight makers be interested in supplying a one-off set of headlights?