U.S.A. to U.K. - Hello! ...with questions!

[nicodamus]

Hello everyone, so grateful to have just found this forum. We are in the USA, currently living in New Mexico. We got out 2012 JKUR stock back in 2015 living in Utah, and we've enjoyed exploring Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico - all of the West, in what is likely the perfect vehicle to do so. 

 

I'm in the US military and will be moving to the UK in the coming months. We volunteered for this assignment and we love to travel - can't wait to see what Europe has to offer.

 

From what I understand, there are some considerations to be made when bringing a vehicle (particularly a 4x4 modded one) to the U.K. - I am currently trying to wade through all of the regulations.

If any of you are familiar with bringing a USA Jeep to the UK (especially US military), please chime in and help me out. So far, I've been reading this: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721533/Individual_Vehicle_Approval__IVA__inspection_manual__passenger_vehicles__M1_.pdf

 

1) Front Bumper - I keep reading about steel front bumpers with bull bars being a concern. I have the AEV Full Front Bumper. Will the vehicle fail the MOT if it has a steel front bumper? Does it actually matter if I have a winch installed or not? Do rear bumpers matter at all?

2) Headlights - I have the JW Speaker J2 Evolution LED headlights (from the USA - Right Hand Traffic version) - Will MOT require me to install Left Hand Traffic type headlights, or do we simply adjust the headlight beam aiming?

3) Light Conversions - From what I understand, the following needs to be converted on USA to UK vehicles....

            - Red rear fog light must be installed on the rear of the vehicle, and light up when the fog light is on

            - Parking lights must be white, not amber (these are the little round turn signals in the front of the Jeep below the headlights?)

            - Side repeater on fender must be seen from driver side door - I think my stock rubicon fenders already have these?

            - Rear turn signals must flash amber, and not affect brake or parking lights

4) Does the MOT or constabulary care about roof racks? Roof top tents? Fly rod vaults?

5) Any restrictions on lifting the vehicle? Mine is not lifted but I'm considering the 3.5" AEV Dualsport 

6) Any restrictions on rock sliders? Thinking about installing the LOD sliders.

7) What are all the regulations/standards that drive these requirements? Any references to the original requirements would be greatly appreciated

 

I'm hoping to do the light conversion here in the states (minus the headlights) if possible. 

 

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated...

 

[V]

Hi,

 

I have good friends that live in the Layton area, I guess you are currently at Hill.

 

Answers to your questions:

 

1. Your AEV bumper is fine. A friend of mine brought his Federal spec AEV JKU in with one and it got through IVA OK.

2. Headlamps will have to be 'E' marked and for left hand traffic. UK 7" H4 halogen lamps are easy to source here and far better than US versions. Get through the test on them then change later if you really think they are necessary.

3.

- Red fog lamp(s)

- Parking lights, remove connection to existing parking lamp and rewire to 5 watt sidelamp bulb inside 7" headlamp

- Side repeater, wired for turn signals ONLY, use stock lamps in fender flare

- Rear turn signals, buy stock EU rear lamp clusters before you leave USA. You should be able to get these through your local dealer if you explain that you are being posted to Europe.

4. Nope - only if someone is in it while the Jeep is moving

5. Buy the lift kit in the USA, ship it with your personal property, fit it after IVA, it saves a lot of hassle on the test.

6. Sliders are fine as long as they don't have any sharp edges. Must comply with minimum radius on edges.

7. IVA test info

 

[V]

If you don't have a winch in your AEV bumper you should be OK - Your Jeep is NOT an EU model. EU models after 2009 require a winch to be fitted for the bumper to be a winch bumper.

 

1. Rear bumper, with or without tyre carriers are fine. They just have to meet the minimum radius requirements.

 

4. Vertical rod holders are likely to be a problem. If your rod vault is not longer than the roof, I think that should be OK too. Leave off roof rack, tent, rod vault for the IVA test, put them on after passing it.

 

If you have Utah mud flaps keep them. If your rear bumper shows too much tyre the mud flaps come to the rescue.

[V]

If you are doing the rewiring yourself consider wiring in a permanent mode switch with relays under the hood. That way you can preserve US lighting function for when you return and have EU/USA mode switchable. I was going to do this for my EU spec XJ but I never shipped it back to the USA for a third time before it was 15 years old.

 

[V]

7. The regulations from 1 September 2018

 

You might like to read this easy pictorial guide first

[nicodamus]

Thank you for all of these responses so quickly, reading more through the regulations I did find the following:

 

Headlamps:

• Note 6: American headlamps that dip to the right are deemed to have met this requirement as long as all of the upper edge of the beam pattern is between the dip beam parameters.

So the question is, can USA jeep headlights be adjusted to meet the dip beam parameters?

 

Looking for info on the bumper...

"This inspection does not apply to integral bars that form part of the body work providing the requirements of section 16 exterior are met."  ... okay let's see what section 16 says....

• The ends of any bumper fitted to the vehicle must be turned inwards, or integrated within the bodywork. (See Note 6)
• Note 6: All bumpers must have all ends “turned in or integrated with the body work” this criteria is not achievable by the material itself the requirement is considered to have been met if the following is achieved: A bumper made from tubular material must turn backwards into the body/chassis or have an end cap fitted that either gives the same effect (not simply close the end of the tube) or provide a dome shape equal in radius to the section of the tube or the tube can form a continuous loop (i.e. be endless such as is the case with a Bull bar or light guard) A bumper made from a flat material would require an end that turns to the body/chassis or completely back on itself forming a loop. In all cases other than where the dome or loop criteria is achieved all ends of the bumper must be within approximately 30mm of the body work/chassis or tyre.

It seems from this that the AEV bumpers would meet the requirements. I just can't find where all the talk about "steel" bumpers being prohibited exists, or winch requirements.

 

Cheers!

[V]

7 hours ago, nicodamus said:

Thank you for all of these responses so quickly, reading more through the regulations I did find the following:

 

Headlamps:

• Note 6: American headlamps that dip to the right are deemed to have met this requirement as long as all of the upper edge of the beam pattern is between the dip beam parameters.

So the question is, can USA jeep headlights be adjusted to meet the dip beam parameters?

 

Looking for info on the bumper...

"This inspection does not apply to integral bars that form part of the body work providing the requirements of section 16 exterior are met."  ... okay let's see what section 16 says....

• The ends of any bumper fitted to the vehicle must be turned inwards, or integrated within the bodywork. (See Note 6)
• Note 6: All bumpers must have all ends “turned in or integrated with the body work” this criteria is not achievable by the material itself the requirement is considered to have been met if the following is achieved: A bumper made from tubular material must turn backwards into the body/chassis or have an end cap fitted that either gives the same effect (not simply close the end of the tube) or provide a dome shape equal in radius to the section of the tube or the tube can form a continuous loop (i.e. be endless such as is the case with a Bull bar or light guard) A bumper made from a flat material would require an end that turns to the body/chassis or completely back on itself forming a loop. In all cases other than where the dome or loop criteria is achieved all ends of the bumper must be within approximately 30mm of the body work/chassis or tyre.

It seems from this that the AEV bumpers would meet the requirements. I just can't find where all the talk about "steel" bumpers being prohibited exists, or winch requirements.

 

Cheers!

 

Regarding Note 6 Headlamps, If your headlamps dip to the right and can be made to cut off any pedestrian illuminating beam without resorting to an external mask being fitted to the lamp glass then they should be OK as you have found. However, you still have an issue to resolve regarding forward facing 'sidelights' (Parking lights). On UK spec Wranglers, the sidelight is a 5w bulb in the 7" headlamp. I don't know if an LED 'angel eye' or if an LED daylight running lamp meets this requirement. I have never bothered to check because qood quality 7" halogen lamps here are very good lamps and a no hassle solution for IVA. If you are confident you can get your LED lamps through the test, go for it. Personally, I would do everything I could to ease my passage through the test. The Jeep can be modified afterwards and still be within the law. The IVA test is expensive and something that most people dread.

 

The steel bumpers thing is an EU regulation for EU specification, EU type approved vehicles first registered after January 2009. For these vehicles it is illegal to replace the bumper with another that is not type approved. However, I believe in Germany and some other EU countries a TÜV tested and approved bumper can be fitted as a replacement to a post 2009 EU vehicle. In the UK, an OEM bumper can be replaced with another bumper that satisfies Construction and Use regulations IF it is necessary for the function of the vehicle. On EU vehicles after 2009 a winch bumper can be fitted if it has a working winch bolted to it. A pretty bumper without a winch is just a pretty illegal bumper. Your Jeep is NHTSA specification not homologated for the EU and therefore exempt from all this EU rubbish.

Edited August 9, 2018 by V

[nicodamus]

17 hours ago, V said:

 The IVA test is expensive and something that most people dread.

 

 

Sorry for my ignorance....what is the IVA test (versus the MOT)? All of my fact sheets from my job moving to the area only seem to reference the MOT.

[Volant165]

On 08/08/2018 at 20:16, nicodamus said:

Hello everyone, so grateful to have just found this forum. We are in the USA, currently living in New Mexico. We got out 2012 JKUR stock back in 2015 living in Utah, and we've enjoyed exploring Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico - all of the West, in what is likely the perfect vehicle to do so. 

 

I'm in the US military and will be moving to the UK in the coming months. We volunteered for this assignment and we love to travel - can't wait to see what Europe has to offer.

 

From what I understand, there are some considerations to be made when bringing a vehicle (particularly a 4x4 modded one) to the U.K. - I am currently trying to wade through all of the regulations.

If any of you are familiar with bringing a USA Jeep to the UK (especially US military), please chime in and help me out. So far, I've been reading this: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721533/Individual_Vehicle_Approval__IVA__inspection_manual__passenger_vehicles__M1_.pdf

 

1) Front Bumper - I keep reading about steel front bumpers with bull bars being a concern. I have the AEV Full Front Bumper. Will the vehicle fail the MOT if it has a steel front bumper? Does it actually matter if I have a winch installed or not? Do rear bumpers matter at all?

2) Headlights - I have the JW Speaker J2 Evolution LED headlights (from the USA - Right Hand Traffic version) - Will MOT require me to install Left Hand Traffic type headlights, or do we simply adjust the headlight beam aiming?

3) Light Conversions - From what I understand, the following needs to be converted on USA to UK vehicles....

            - Red rear fog light must be installed on the rear of the vehicle, and light up when the fog light is on

            - Parking lights must be white, not amber (these are the little round turn signals in the front of the Jeep below the headlights?)

            - Side repeater on fender must be seen from driver side door - I think my stock rubicon fenders already have these?

            - Rear turn signals must flash amber, and not affect brake or parking lights

4) Does the MOT or constabulary care about roof racks? Roof top tents? Fly rod vaults?

5) Any restrictions on lifting the vehicle? Mine is not lifted but I'm considering the 3.5" AEV Dualsport 

6) Any restrictions on rock sliders? Thinking about installing the LOD sliders.

7) What are all the regulations/standards that drive these requirements? Any references to the original requirements would be greatly appreciated

 

I'm hoping to do the light conversion here in the states (minus the headlights) if possible. 

 

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated...

 

Welcome to the forum!  We are here to help with the transfer, and help you find some muddy sightseeing Jeep adventure after you arrive.

 

I brought in a 10A Rubicon ten years ago with steel bumpers no problem and I now have my second US Jeep in for an IVA. Send me a PM for more specific details.

 

At a high level of all the above you probably will just need the lights doing. Hold off on the lift kit installation if you can until after the IVA. Then you can lift away. AEV bumper should not pose a problem at all, avoid a protruding bull bar until after IVA if you want one.  A winch actually is a good thing to have already installed before the IVA. My parking lights passed on my Rubicon as amber. The shop I use to do it does loads of military transfer jeeps. Roof racks are fine. 

 

Timing--Once you convert all of the above, there is about a three to four week wait to get your IVA so bear that in mind and then a few weeks to get your UK license plate after that.

[nicodamus]

 

Volant! Great info! I'll send you a PM this weekend. 

 

9 hours ago, Volant165 said:

AEV bumper should not pose a problem at all, avoid a protruding bull bar until after IVA if you want one.  

 

 

When you say protruding bull bar, do you mean one that sticks forward of the jeep? I'm doing the AEV front bumper with the tube, as pictured below.

[neal]

4 hours ago, nicodamus said:

 

Volant! Great info! I'll send you a PM this weekend. 

 

 

When you say protruding bull bar, do you mean one that sticks forward of the jeep? I'm doing the AEV front bumper with the tube, as pictured below.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

A number of us run the AEV bumper, with and without the front hoop.

 

I know one of the guys that brought his JK in for IVA with the front AEV bumper with hood had to swop it out for a UK spec bumper to pass his test. He then stopped back to the AEV and had no problems with MOT later on.

 

He borrowed my old bumper from my last JK for the test and then returned it. The company he used to get him through the test came and picked up the bumper one weekend and returned it the following.

 

So you might have issues, but they won’t be ones that with the help of club members you won’t get round.

 

Cheers Neal

[Volant165]

5 hours ago, nicodamus said:

 

Volant! Great info! I'll send you a PM this weekend. 

 

 

When you say protruding bull bar, do you mean one that sticks forward of the jeep? I'm doing the AEV front bumper with the tube, as pictured below.

Yes that tube is fine 

[nicodamus]

Hey folks I wanted to chime in again with more results from my researching all of this...I emailed with Mildenhall Auto Centre with the above questions and their remarks were...

 

- No need to change headlights - they will simply adjust the beam

- There are no issues with rock sliders or front/rear AEV bumpers

- For light modifications, they charge 390 pound for labour, parts, and MOT.

- The IVA test is for permanent imports to the UK. US Military are seen as temporary visitors and therefore only need the MOT (must be done every year)

 

Hopefully this thread helps someone else out in the future

[V]

That's interesting. Special rules for US military then.

 

Normally visiting vehicles have to keep the registration plates from the country they are visiting from and are permitted a maximum of six months stay before the vehicle has to leave the UK or get seized by customs. Bizarre that your Jeep has to have a UK MoT on foreign plates or do they give you British registration plates? If your military base counts as a US held territory (foreign to the UK) then I can see that every day in and out of the base would be resetting your six month counter. However, everyone else only gets a six month stay in every 12 months. Foreign vehicles usually have to return to their own countries within a defined period to keep their registrations, update their tags/vehicle taxes and pass any safety inspections due.

[LocoCampbell]

On 15/08/2018 at 14:58, V said:

That's interesting. Special rules for US military then.

 

Normally visiting vehicles have to keep the registration plates from the country they are visiting from and are permitted a maximum of six months stay before the vehicle has to leave the UK or get seized by customs. Bizarre that your Jeep has to have a UK MoT on foreign plates or do they give you British registration plates? If your military base counts as a US held territory (foreign to the UK) then I can see that every day in and out of the base would be resetting your six month counter. However, everyone else only gets a six month stay in every 12 months. Foreign vehicles usually have to return to their own countries within a defined period to keep their registrations, update their tags/vehicle taxes and pass any safety inspections due.

I’m a former member of the USAF and imported a US spec Triumph Bonny. I was required to get an inspection for registration. I was allowed to ride her on the US plates until the new registration arrived. I can’t remember how long the grace period was, between 3-6 months I think (that was 1999). 

Follow the advice about the lift to save hassles. I wouldn’t worry too much about the light conversion, you’ll be advised when you in-process what to do and where to go.

Hope this helps!