Provisional GB Type Approval Scheme

This page was last updated on 3rd November 2022

Provisional approval for vehicles with special features

In the case of EU type approvals containing the following special features, more information may be required before Provisional GB type approval can be granted. Please contact RTG@vca.gov.uk if any further information is required on the processes set out below.

Eco-innovation(s)

Vehicles utilising Eco-innovations that were approved in the EU after 31 December 2020 (i.e. where the approval decision is not retained in UK law) will require separate GB approval of the Eco-innovation in question to continue using it once approved to the full GB type approval scheme.

In the case of Provisional Approval applications containing Eco-innovations, VCA will engage with manufacturers to confirm plans for seeking GB Eco-innovation approval ahead of the transition to full GB type approval at a later date.

Vehicle(s) categorised as a special purpose vehicle in the special group (“SG” code)

Special purpose vehicles categorised by the “SG” code can benefit from significant exemptions to type approval requirements if incompatible with their special function.

As this categorisation can theoretically be applied to a wide range of vehicles, the framework regulation permits Approval Authorities to request additional information from a manufacturer to demonstrate that a vehicle type needs to be categorised with the “SG” code prior to approval being granted.

In these cases, VCA will engage with manufacturers to determine whether the “SG” categorisation applied in the EU type approval is in line with VCA and Department for Transport policy for the vehicles in question, and therefore whether Provisional GB type approval can be granted.

Article 39 New Technology or Concept Approval

Under the obligations of the UK and EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement; vehicle types utilising an Article 39 New Technology or Concept approval are eligible for Provisional GB type approval once the approval in question has been authorised by the European Commission, i.e. is no longer a provisional EU type approval.

However, given the nature of these approvals it is necessary for VCA to assess whether “the new technology or new feature creates a risk for human health, safety or the environment” before Provisional GB type approval can be granted. In this assessment, specific consideration will be given to issues that may be unique to GB, e.g., compliance with traffic rules.

UNECE R157 Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS) Approval

The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (AEVA) creates an insurance framework for automated vehicles (AVs) by amending the Road Traffic Act. As part of achieving this, AEVA requires the Secretary of State to create a list of vehicles which are capable of ‘safely driving themselves’. Vehicles which are approved to UNECE R157 and include the United Kingdom within their Operational Design Domain (ODD) should meet the threshold of self-driving and therefore be added to the Secretary of State’s List.

VCA will carry out a thorough review of all approvals submitted which include ALKS, in order that the decision to list the vehicles based on them having a UNECE R157 approval can be confirmed as valid in each case.

This process is without prejudice of the UK’s mutual recognition obligations under the UNECE 1958 Agreement but serves to confirm the following points:

  • The vehicle type has been approved with the United Kingdom in its ODD
  • The documentation includes adequate evidence that the vehicle can comply with GB traffic rules
  • The documentation includes adequate evidence that the system has been sufficiently validated in GB
  • The documentation does not give any indication that VCA interpretations concerning UNECE R157 have been contravened
  • Details are provided for how to access and download DSSAD data

Details are given for the DSSAD retention period when operating in the UK