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Approval Fees

This page was last updated on 19th August 2026

Introduction

We will shortly be introducing legislation to update the fees charged for technical work. These changes are expected to apply to new Work Orders requested on or after 1 November 2026, subject to Parliamentary approval. The updated fees are designed to enable the VCA to cover costs and avoid indirect subsidisation of private companies’ testing fees by the taxpayer. The purpose of the increase is therefore not to generate surplus revenue, but to ensure compliance with Chapter 6 of Managing Public Money, which instructs government agencies to ‘make sure that the government neither profits at the expense of consumers nor makes a loss for taxpayers to subsidise’.

Hourly rate for Technical Service activities

The current hourly rate for technical work is £89 per hour, and this is expected to increase to £134 per hour for new Work Orders requested from 1 November 2026. Furthermore, where the activity requires an individual possessing deep specialist technical expertise to conduct part of the examination, for example within complex areas such as cyber security or autonomous vehicles, their work will attract a higher rate of £192 per hour, again this will apply to new Work Orders requested on or after 1 November 2026.

More information on when the higher-rate rate fee would be applicable.

The higher rate (£192 per hour) will be charged on the portion of activity within a Work Order requested on or after 1 November 2026 which is carried out by an individual who:

(a) carries out technical analysis as part of an examination to determine the standards that must be met for regulatory compliance for the safety, security or emissions performance of a vehicle or vehicle part; and

(b) works in at least one of the following areas:

(i) Emissions and environmental performance, including analysis of emission control strategies:
(ii) Cyber security and software updates, including analysis of Cyber security management systems and software update management systems and associated processes,
(iii) Safety case/ safety concept analysis of advanced driver assistance systems (e.g. steer by wire, automated steering, ELKS, DCAS) and automated driving systems,
(iv) Scenario identification, modelling, or simulation to support the assessment of advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving systems.
(v) Setting the design and criteria for an examination to assess the performance of advanced driver assistance systems or automated driving systems.

However, the majority of the individual testing in the subjects mentioned under point b above will generally be carried out by engineers attracting the standard statutory rate and overseen by deep specialists. It is therefore expected that only a small proportion of tests will be carried out directly by deep specialists and attract a higher rate.

Charging for the use of VCA equipment

Additional fees will also apply where VCA equipment is used during testing. These charges support the purchase, maintenance and replacement of specialist equipment owned by the VCA. This approach ensures that costs are borne by those who use VCA equipment, rather than being distributed across all applicants or covered indirectly by the taxpayer. Where a manufacturer’s own, or third-party test equipment is used the fee will not apply. Table 5 shows the different types of equipment that may be used and the appropriate fee, which is charged per job. WF-2 (Workshop equipment) is a catch-all category, and this fee is charged per job when one or more items of equipment not specified in another row of Table 5 is/are used. Multiple instances of this fee will not be charged for a single job, even if more than one item of workshop equipment (e.g. tyre pressure gauge and tape measure) is used or if one item is used multiple times while a customer is on site for a job.

Type approval authority fees

The VCA Type Approval Authority will charge the fees shown in the table below for undertaking approval activities. All Type Approval applications will be subject to a Certification Fee (see Table 1) and a Compliance Review Fee (see Table 2) where the VCA issues an approval certificate. The Compliance Review Fee will cover a review of the application against Type Approval legislation, the suitability of the test results and reports, and the status of the Conformity of Production clearance. Both the Compliance Review fee and the Certification fee are not subject to change at this point in time.

Type Approval activities not requiring the issuance of a certificate are subject to the relevant Certification Fee and Administrative Fee (see Table 3).

Value Added Tax (VAT) is not applicable on any of the below fees.

How to use these tables

In most cases, the overall fee charged will consist of:

one value only from the Certification Fee (CF-1 to CF-22) and
one value only from the Compliance Review Fee (CRF-1 to CRF-11)

There is no need to apply more than one value from each of those two fees unless it relates to whole vehicle applications using single step or mixed type approval routes. In these instances, the VCA will charge a Compliance Review Fee for each system / component subject submitted and subsequently checked.

The Administrative Fee (AF-1 to AF-6) is a separate fee and is not always required in all applications.

For ease of use, please read the three tables below with the fee pairing table (Table 4).

Please note, the ‘Fee Ref.’ in the first column of each table is an internal VCA reference number; it has been included here to enable the various fee types to be easily identified.

Please note that if you require the invoice in an overseas currency, you should contact your local VCA representative for details of how the fees below translate into other currencies and which invoicing currencies are available.

Table 1 - Certification Fees

Fee Ref.	Subject / Approval Type	UK Fee GBP (£)
CF-1	Whole Vehicle Approval - Base or Extension Certification Fee	75
CF-2	Whole Vehicle Approval - Base Vehicle Update Letter Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 1]	73
CF-3	Whole Vehicle Approval - Revision Certification Fee	37
CF-4	Whole Vehicle Approval - Correction Certification Fee	75
CF-5	Whole Vehicle Approval - Type Approval Letter Certification Fee	75
CF-6	Whole Vehicle Approval - Test Report Only Certification Fee	75
CF-7	System & Component Approval - Base Certification Fee	37
CF-8	System & Component Approval - Extension Certification Fee	78
CF-9	System & Component Approval - Revision Certification Fee	37
CF-10	System & Component Approval - Correction Certification Fee	37
CF-11	System & Component Approval - Type Approval Letter Certification Fee	37
CF-12	System & Component Approval - Test Report Only Certification Fee	37
CF-13	Type Approval Letter Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 2]	37
CF-14	Test report (where no approval is issued) Certification Fee	37
CF-15	Type Approval Withdrawal Certification Fee	78
CF-16	GB Provisional Approval - EU Base Certification Fee	37
CF-17	GB Provisional Approval - EU Extension Certification Fee	78
CF-18	GB Conversion IVA Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 3]	100
CF-19	M1 Enhancement IVA Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 3]	1.10
CF-20	N1 Enhancement IVA Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 3]	1.10
CF-21	IVA (Not Inspected) Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 3]	125
CF-22	IVA (Inspected) Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 3]	250

Table 2 - Compliance Review Fees

Fee Ref.	Subject / Approval Type	UK Fee GBP (£)
CRF-1	GB / UK(NI) WVTA - M Compliance Fee (including multi-stage)	350
CRF-2	GB / UK(NI) WVTA - N Compliance Fee (including multi-stage)	350
CRF-3	Not currently in use	*N/A*
CRF-4	Not currently in use	*N/A*
CRF-5	GB / UK(NI) WVTA - O Compliance Fee	180
CRF-12	System & Component Compliance Fee - Level 4 [see Explanatory Notes 4 & 7]	See note 7
CRF-6	Whole Vehicle Approval Index Revision Compliance Fee	90
CRF-7	System & Component Compliance Fee - Level 3 [see Explanatory Note 4]	200
CRF-8	System & Component Compliance Fee - Level 2 [see Explanatory Note 4]	115
CRF-9	System & Component Compliance Fee - Level 1 [see Explanatory Note 4]	28
CRF-10	System & Component Index Revision Compliance Fee	90
CRF-11	Designated Technical Service Compliance Fee	181

Table 3 - Administrative Fees

Fee Ref.	Subject / Approval Type	UK Fee GBP (£)
AF-1	Type Approval Letter Administrative Fee [see Explanatory Note 2]	73
AF-2	Test Report Only Administrative Fee	73
AF-3	Approval Correction (Chargeable) Administrative Fee	90
AF-4	GB Provisional Administrative Fee	73
AF-5	Provisional Approval Number Letter Administrative Fee [see Explanatory Note 5]	37
AF-6	Rework Administrative Fee [see Explanatory Note 6]	See note 6

Table 4 - Fee Pairing

Fee Ref.	Subject / Approval Type	UK Fee GBP (£)	Plus	Fee Ref.	Subject / Approval Type	UK Fee GBP (£)	Total Fee GBP (£)
CF-2	Whole Vehicle Approval - Base Vehicle Update Letter Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 1]	73	+	AF-1	Type Approval Letter Administrative Fee	73	146
CF-3	Whole Vehicle Approval - Revision Certification Fee	37	+	CRF-6	Whole Vehicle Approval Index Revision Compliance Fee	90	127
CF-4	Whole Vehicle Approval - Correction Certification Fee	75	+	AF-3	Approval Correction (Chargeable) Administrative Fee	90	165
CF-5	Whole Vehicle Approval - Type Approval Letter Certification Fee	75	+	AF-1	Type Approval Letter Administrative Fee	73	148
CF-6	Whole Vehicle Approval - Test Report Only Certification Fee	75	+	AF-2	Test Report Only Administrative Fee	73	148
CF-9	System & Component Approval - Revision Certification Fee	37	+	CRF-10	System & Component Index Revision Compliance Fee	90	127
CF-10	System & Component Approval - Correction Certification Fee	37	+	AF-3	Approval Correction (Chargeable) Administrative Fee	90	127
CF-11	System & Component Approval - Type Approval Letter Certification Fee	37	+	AF-1	Type Approval Letter Administrative Fee	73	110
CF-12	System & Component Approval - Test Report Only Certification Fee	37	+	AF-2	Test Report Only Administrative Fee	73	110
CF-13	Type Approval Letter Certification Fee [see Explanatory Note 2]	37	+	AF-1	Type Approval Letter Administrative Fee	73	110
CF-14	Test report (where no approval is issued) Certification Fee	37	+	AF-2	Test Report Only Administrative Fee	73	110
CF-16	GB Provisional Approval - EU Base Certification Fee	37	+	AF-4	GB Provisional Administrative Fee	73	110
CF-17	GB Provisional Approval - EU Extension Certification Fee	78	+	AF-4	GB Provisional Administrative Fee	73	151
CRF-11	Technical Service Compliance Fee	181	+	CF-7	System & Component Approval - Base Certification Fee	37	218
CRF-11	Technical Service Compliance Fee	181	+	CF-8	System & Component Approval - Extension Certification Fee	78	259

Table 5 - Equipment Fees

Fee Ref.	Subject / Approval Type	UK Fee GBP (£)
EF-1	Reference instruments are the high-level equipment used to calibrate and check the equipment used as part of in-house testing.	75 per test
EF-2	Workshop Equipment - This is the general test equipment stationed within the workshop, examples include tyre pressure gauges, the weigh bridge, tape measurers, vernier callipers etc. This equipment is usually used for every test to check the test condition (weight/tyre pressure) of the vehicle(s).	76 per test
EF-3	Dataloggers - This equipment interprets signals from the test equipment, displays the data and records the data from the test. Use of this equipment is dependent on the either the test requirements, regulations or, for example, requirements of the test requestor. This equipment would be used in conjunction with the specific test equipment labelled below.	111 per test
EF-4	Braking - This is all the standard test equipment used for braking tests within a vehicle or trailer.	113 per test
EF-5	Steering Effort Meter - This is the test equipment used for steering effort tests e.g. steering wheel force meter.	223 per test
EF-6	Noise - This is the test equipment used for noise testing e.g. microphones and sound level meters.	304 per test
EF-7	Weather station and Wind Speed Logger - This equipment is used to record weather conditions outside, during a test, to ensure the conditions do not fall outside of regulated conditions.	239 per test
EF-8	Washer bottle Testing - A climatic test chamber is required for this test, controls the temperature and humidity, this is used to automate a test for a washer bottle used in vehicle windscreen washing systems.	807 per test
EF-9	A CMM is used to accurately measure the dimensions of a product to compare with engineering specifications.	197 per test
EF-10	MTS Rig (Electro-hydraulic structural test equipment) - This equipment consists of hydraulic actuators that are used to test towbars. It is also used to test the strength of rear, or side, under run devices by initiating a large push force.	207 per test
EF-11	Regulation 100 (insulation tester) - This equipment is used to test the electrical safety of a high voltage vehicle.	252 per test
EF-12	Guided Soft Target (GST) - Robotic platform on which is mounted a soft target representing a passenger car to be used as the target vehicle in tests where there is a risk of collision between the vehicle under test and the target vehicle.	1400 per job
EF-13	Launch Pad - Small robotic platform on which are mounted soft targets representing; motorcycle, bicycle, adult pedestrian, child pedestrian mannequins as a target where there is a risk of collision between the vehicle under test and the target.	800 per job

Additional Charges

Additional charges (not covered by the above tables) will be applied according to VCA’s statutory hourly rate (defined above under Hourly rate for Technical Service activities).

Explanatory Notes

CF-2 is charged alongside the engineer’s time at the statutory hourly rate. This is subject to a minimum charge of half the statutory hourly rate (i.e. for 30 minutes). The total charged will therefore be a minimum of £73 [CF-2] plus £45 [30 minutes of engineer’s time] = £140, plus £73 [AF-1] = £213 total.
CF-13 and AF-1 are used to issue a) Letters of No Concern (LoNC), b) requests to confirm information, c) other ad hoc requests. (This is not an exhaustive list.) These two fees are charged together (e.g., £37 [CF-13] plus £73 [AF-1] = £110 total charge). Where multiple changes are required (e.g. via a LoNC) then a single charge of CF-13 will be levied along with a single charge of AF-1 to cover our initial time. Any additional time is charged at the statutory hourly rate but will reflect the actual time taken, subject to a minimum charge for 15 minutes).
CF-18 to CF-22 inclusive are not currently applied for via the VCA Customer Portal.
The Compliance Review Fee varies depending on subject complexity; Level 4 subjects are categorised as cyber security, software updating, automated technologies, and heavy-duty CO₂ emissions. Level 3 subjects are categorised as all other emissions, and sound levels. Level 1 subjects are categorised as Replacement Brake Parts and Tyre Components. Level 2 is all other subjects.
Provisional approval numbers can be requested in advance of the issuing of the Type Approval Certificate where testing is complete, and Conformity of Production is in place. Where provisional approval numbers are required as part of the application process, for example for component approval markings, there will be no charge. Where provisional approval numbers are optional, charges will be applied at £37 for the Provisional Approval Number Letter Administrative Fee plus the statutory hourly rate for the time taken to create the numbers, subject to a minimum charge for 15 minutes). The total fee will therefore be at least £59.5
VCA reserves the right to charge a fee to complete rework of applications where they exceed the normal processing time. This fee is charged at the statutory hourly rate but will reflect the actual time taken, subject to a minimum charge for 15 minutes.
Level 4 compliance reviews vary significantly in complexity and scope, and as such are charged at the statutory hourly rate according to time taken to complete technical review of the application.

Ref: TAC-E-WE-03 Rev 7