Guide · Czech Republic

Driving a UK-registered car in the Czech Republic: how long you can keep UK plates, what registering it costs, and what to do instead

Bringing a UK car to Czechia is straightforward on paper and expensive in practice since Brexit. This guide covers how long you can stay on UK plates, the registration steps and costs, and the alternative.

Last reviewed September 2026

How long can I keep it on UK plates?

Non-residents may drive a foreign-registered car while its home registration, inspection and insurance remain valid. A Czech resident must register the car in Czechia; the UK registration also cannot be kept going from abroad, since the V5C needs a UK address and the MOT and UK insurance lapse.

Can a right-hand-drive car be registered?

Right-hand-drive cars can be registered in Czechia. The STK will require headlamps adjusted for driving on the right and a mirror arrangement that gives adequate rear vision, and Czech buyers discount right-hand drive.

What registering it involves

Customs clearance as a non-EU import (through a customs broker), paying duty and VAT.
Technical inspection (STK) including an evidence check (evidenční kontrola).
Eco fee for vehicles meeting only Euro 3 or older standards.
Registration at the municipal vehicle registry: Czech plates and registration certificate.
Compulsory povinné ručení insurance.

What it costs

Customs duty: 10% of the customs value unless UK origin is documented under the EU–UK agreement.
VAT: 21% on the value plus duty.
Eco fee for older engines, STK, translations, plates and fees.

Moving home? Transfer-of-residence relief

If you lived in the UK for at least 12 months and owned and used the car for 6 months or more, transfer-of-residence relief normally removes customs duty and VAT when you move back. STK and registration costs still apply, and the car cannot be sold for 12 months.

The alternative: sell it back to the UK

Selling back to the UK trade avoids all of it. We buy UK-registered cars in Czechia as they stand, collect free from any address, handle the export paperwork, and pay in pounds sterling on the day — into your UK bank account if you still have one.

Get a free valuation for your car in Czech Republic

Free collection anywhere in Czech Republic, all export paperwork handled, paid in pounds sterling (£) on the day.

Value my UK car

Common questions

What if the MOT has expired?

Not a problem — we buy cars with expired MOT or SORN and collect by transporter.

Do you collect from Moravia as well as Prague?

Yes — Brno, Ostrava and Olomouc are on the same run.

Will I get more than from a Czech dealer?

Usually. A Czech dealer prices a right-hand-drive car for the local market; we price it for the UK, where it is a normal car.

Rules, rates and thresholds change. This guide is a general summary as of September 2026, not legal or tax advice — check the current position with the registration authority or a customs agent before relying on it.

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