Conversions

Conversion

In general, conversion means that you modify the characteristics of a vehicle so that the type-approval or details given at registration are changed. 

There are three ways in which a vehicle can be converted: 

• converting a new and unregistered vehicle
• converting a vehicle registered outside of Ireland before registration in Ireland, and
• converting a vehicle already registered in Ireland. 

Vehicles never registered before 

A vehicle must have type-approval to be registered in Ireland. The usual evidence is a Certificate of Conformity issued by the manufacturer.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) issues the certificate for a new vehicle converted in Ireland or elsewhere. 

You must have the NSAI certificate with you when you go to register the converted vehicle. 

Vehicles registered abroad

You must present a Declaration of Conversion and a Suitably Qualified Individual declaration at the NCT centre if the vehicle is registered in another country. You must use this form where you have changed any of the following: 

• the EU vehicle category
• the number of seats
• the number of seatbelt fittings
• the EU Body Work Code
• the mass in service
• the number of doors and/or
• the number of windows.

Vehicles registered in Ireland

In most cases there is no need to make a declaration to Revenue.  You do not have to make a declaration if the vehicle category at J1 on the Vehicle Registration Certificate is A. 

However, you must make a declaration if the category is B, C or D (or is blank) and you: 

• have added seats and the new total (including the driver) is nine seats or less
• have removed seats from a vehicle that had 10 seats or more and the new total (including the driver) is nine seats or less, or
• have converted the vehicle to a motor caravan. 

In these cases, you must post the Declaration of Conversion and the related Suitably Qualified Individual declaration, and other supporting documents, to: 

FREEPOST
Central Vehicle Office
Revenue Commissioners
Rosslare Harbour
Co. Wexford 

You must include: 

• a copy of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (both sides)
• the invoice(s) showing the costs of conversion, and
• in the case of a motor caravan:
  • a minimum of six photographs showing the full interior (including at least one photograph from the front of the living area looking rearward and one from the rear of the living area looking forward) which provide a good overview of the layout of the living accommodation, and
  • a minimum of four photographs showing the full exterior, one of which must include the registration plate of the vehicle.

Next: Suitably qualified individual