Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)

Approving your imported vehicle

In France, if you import a vehicle that does not have European type approval you must use a technical service accredited test laboratory. To be able to register your vehicle and ensure it complies with current legislation, there are various steps to be followed.

The imported vehicles affected by this individual approval procedure are: 

• Cars, vans, etc. in category M (M1, N1, N2), and 2 or 3-wheeled vehicles in category L (L1 to L7) with a permissible maximum weight below 5 tonnes
• Second-hand vehicles (already registered in another country)

This operation cannot be transposed to another vehicle of the same make and type.

You need to contact the authority (DRIEAT/DREAL/DEAL)* in your département to find out if any tests are required. If they require tests, we provide a portal where you can apply for testing and find all the necessary information.

The IVA procedure is based on adaptations of European directives and technical instructions decided by the French ministry.

Every modification made and linked to the tests undergoes testing by UTAC.

*DRIEAT : Direction Régionale et Interdépartementale de l’Environnement et de l’Aménagement du Territoire
*DREAL : Direction Régionale de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement
*DEAL : Direction de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement