Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, welcomed the news that after a long campaign from the car industry which she supported, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has confirmed major updates to the way classic and historic vehicles are registered.
Since 2020, Nusrat has been supporting a Sussex Weald-based classic vehicle business Eagle, which has been part of the founding Members of the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA). Eagle has been specialising in restoring Jaguar E-Types since 1984, and performs all aspects of the complete restoration process on site, locally.
Over the years, Nusrat has been supporting the business in continuously making representations to various Ministers at the Department for Transport and the Department for Business and Trade. Finally, for the first time since the 1980s, the DVLA has confirmed that it is making major changes to classic car registrations, following a Call for Evidence last year, where classic vehicle industry, owners, and enthusiasts had their say on the previous outdated system.
Having come into effect on 26 August 2025, the changes include like-for-like repairs and restorations no longer requiring notification to the DVLA; vehicles that have been subject to significant structural modifications will now be able to keep their original Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration number; and vehicles that have been converted to electric will also be able to retain their original identity.
Nusrat Ghani said: “I am proud that Sussex Weald is the home of an internationally renowned classic car business Eagle. The classic and historic vehicle industry is a great British success story that gives pleasure to millions, and it would be disastrous if it suffered serious damage through neglect or ignorance. The sector, estimated to be worth £4bn a year, provides thousands of highly skilled and well-paid jobs locally in Sussex Weald and across the UK, and preserves exemplary skills and craftsmanship. I was pleased to support Eagle and the HCVA since its formation, and I am delighted that after years of campaigning, these changes finally ensure that the sector is safeguarded for future generations and continues to thrive.”
Henry Pearman, Founder & CEO of Eagle, said: “I first approached Nusrat Ghani, our local MP in 2020 and she immediately engaged with us in relation to various concerns we raised regarding the historic vehicles’ registration. It was evident that the complete lack of any trade body or alliance to support this huge and significant sector supporting the UK economy needed addressing and Nusrat was ready to offer support when the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) was formed the following spring. The substantial changes and updating of policy around historic vehicle registration, announced this August were unquestionably set in motion as a result of Nusrat’s input throughout, and are a huge relief to the many thousands of businesses engaged in the sector as well as millions of enthusiasts across the UK. There is no question that we all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Nusrat for her incredible support and determination throughout a process that took more than five years to conclude.”
Dale Keller, CEO of the HCVA, said: “The policy changes by the DVLA encapsulate how government and industry working collaboratively can deliver better outcomes for consumers and industry. We thank Ministers and MPs for recognising that change was required and setting in motion the process to deliver new DVLA policy that now recognises new technologies, techniques, and improved materials thereby enabling historic and classic vehicles to be kept roadworthy, relevant, and enjoyed by future generations.”
