Using the templates and some dre

12th May 2011 - IVA passed!! Turned up bright and early to the test station in Nottingham for an 8.30 test. I took Alan Daubney with me for moral support (!!). The first fright was that the examiner was being tested himself by a senior guy from Derby. This meant that he was going to stick to the letter of the law on his sheet............

To be fair to the guys, they were really good, and continued to support the feeling that Nottingham is a really good IVA centre with knowledgeable understanding testers. There were a couple of things I got picked up on, which he let me sort at the end. firstly the bar that supports the headrest didn't conform to the radius test. I just put some sticky foam on it at the end and he was happy. The other main thing was the Vectra steering wheel. Although we had taken the airbag out, the container was still there, and the examiner could feel it through the central cover. We took the wheel off and with some difficulty padded in with a bit of spare carpet I had in the boot. I wasn't quite sure what he was going to think, but when he turned up, he had the IVA certificate in his hand and didn't even look at the wheel!!! Alan and I jumped in the car and shot off before he changed his mind!!

The whole test took two and a half hours which was a lot less than I expected. We got a little wet on the way home with a couple of short sharp showers, but to be honest I was that relieved, I never felt a thing!!

I went straight to Lincoln to the DVLA office to book an inspection. As I am working away for the next couple of weeks the next one available was 2nd June.................so roll on then!!

Oh, and this evening, I couldn't resist, so I put on the spinners, wind wings, side grills etc etc.......well you have too don't you?!!

2nd June 2011 - I thought the IVA was going to be the hard bit............but it was a breeze compared to getting registered! It seems my Local DVLA are trying to get me a Q plate because I never owned the complete Donor vehicle. No matter what I said, they were insistent that I had to prove the front and rear axles were from the same car as the V5 I had. I like most people, bought the donor parts from a scrap yard without the body but with the V5. I didn't want the body. Of course this is not possible to prove (and it was over 5 years ago when I bought the stuff) and they wouldn't budge, so it has now gone off to Swansea for a decision. I am not hopeful judging by the aggressiveness my local office pursued this.

Does anyone know if there is an appeal process that can go straight to Swansea with?

I'll be gutted if I get a Q plate after all this time, but at the moment it seems out of my hands. Nothing wrong with Q plates. I don't intend selling the car (although after leaving the DVLA office it crossed my mind!), but I did want in the future to get a personalised number plate. With a Q plate that would be impossible.

I guess this is a warning to others at this stage.....beware!

Another point of warning.....my V5 for the donor stated a Jag with an auto box. DVLA challenged that as I have a manual. I said that I thought I could change it on re-register, but they were not happy with that.........................watch this space.

18th June 2011 - At last I have my registration and tax. After ringing DVLA in Swansea last week to find out what was happening, and being told it could take another couple of weeks, I came home yesterday from work to find a letter on my doorstep from DVLA Lincoln. The essence of the letter was to say that they had agreed to issue me with an age related plate. I rushed into Lincoln with all the relevant paperwork and got to the DVLA office with 20 minutes to spare. I walked out at 5 minutes past five, with a tax disc and authorisation for registration plate..................YES!!

DVLA in Lincoln gave me a major hard time about my application for age related plates. I don't really want to discuss it to much on a public forum like this, but if you are soon to be in this position, or want advice, or just want to chat about my experience, please e-mail me.

As I was late at the DVLA office, my insurance company (Backord Bloor & Co) were closed when I rang, so I have no cover to drive on the road till I can call them on Monday. The weather doesn't look too good tomorrow, so I think I can wait till Monday evening after work for my first "Legal" drive!! I may go to Newark Kit Car show anyway.................in my tin top though!!

It's been a long wait......................was it worth it?.....................hell yes!!