Importing a Ram 1500 to the UK
Five generations since 1981. Only the earliest trucks are over 40 years old, and only some of them.
What we know about the Ram 1500
- Generations
- 5 generations, from 1981 to today
- Body styles
- Regular, Club, Quad, Crew and Mega cab, depending on the generation.
- Over 40 in 2026
- Early Gen 1 trucks only, 1981-85 builds.
- Needs IVA
- Gen 5 (IVA). Gen 4 (IVA or MOT, by build date).
- Official sale in Europe
- Through official importers in left-hand drive. The 5th generation, TRX included, is imported officially.
Which test, by age
The year of the individual car decides the test, not the badge. Each bar is a generation. The dashed lines mark a build date before 1986 (the 2026 vehicle tax cut-off for the 40-year exemptions) and 2016 (the 10-year line between needing approval and not).
- Early builds over 40
- Over 10 years old
- Either side of 10 years
- Under 10 years old
- Gen 1 1981-1993
Gen 1: 1981-1993, early builds over 40.
Regular, Club Cab, Crew. Sold as the Dodge Ram. Over 40 for 1981-85 builds only. Over 10 years old, so usually no approval. Cars built before 1 January 1986 may be exempt from MOT and vehicle tax. Later cars take an MOT.
- Gen 2 1994-2001
Gen 2: 1994-2001, over 10 years old.
Regular, Club Cab, Quad Cab from 1998. Sources differ on whether it ends in 2001 or 2002. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- Gen 3 2002-2008
Gen 3: 2002-2008, over 10 years old.
Regular, Quad Cab, Mega Cab. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- Gen 4 2009-2018
Gen 4: 2009-2018, either side of 10 years.
Regular, Quad, Crew, Mega. The Classic carried on to 2024. Sits on the 10-year line. Older examples take an MOT, newer ones need an IVA. The build date decides, so we read it off the paperwork first.
- Gen 5 2019-present
Gen 5: 2019-present, under 10 years old.
Quad, Crew. The regular cab was dropped for 2019. Under 10 years old, so it needs an IVA before registration.
Written for 2026. Both lines roll forward each year, so more cars come into range as they age. The 40-year exemptions also need the vehicle to be unchanged.
What to check before you buy
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The title and the build date
DVLA wants the original US registration certificate to show when the car was made, and keeps it. The 10-year and 40-year tests run on the individual car, so read the build date off the title, not the advert.
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How HMRC classes it
A double cab with permanent seats, seat belts and passenger fittings is treated as a car. One built mainly to carry cargo is treated as a goods vehicle. We confirm the classification before you commit.
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Which generation it is
Gen 1 straddles the 40-year line, and Gen 4 straddles the 10-year line. The build date decides both.
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Roadworthiness
An older car has to be able to pass an MOT. A project car must be roadworthy before it can be registered. Keep photos of any restoration work.
The test follows the car's own date, not its generation. gov.uk, vehicle approval and historic vehicles
What usually needs doing
The route is the same for every model. The lighting and approval stops are where the Ram 1500 differs.
- US kerbside
- Collect From anywhere in the USA
- Export filings The US paperwork a car needs to leave
- Ship Container or RoRo, marine insurance included
- Customs Our agents file the entry. NOVA within 14 days
- Lights Headlights, indicators, rear fog lamp and side repeaters, as the car needs
- Approval IVA for newer trucks, MOT for older ones, done on site
- DVLA plate Registered on our dealer-level DVLA account
- UK plates
Common questions
Does a Ram 1500 need an IVA to be registered in the UK?
It depends on the age of the car, not the badge. Under 10 years old means an IVA. A car over 10 years old usually needs no approval to be registered. Gen 5 is an IVA truck and Gen 4 straddles the line. Gens 2 and 3 are over 10 years old.
Which Ram 1500 cars are over 40 years old?
Only early Gen 1 trucks are, the 1981-85 builds. The test applies to the individual car's build or first registration date, not to the generation. For vehicle tax in 2026, the cut-off is built before 1 January 1986. The MOT exemption uses its own rolling 40-year date, and the car must be unchanged.
Is the Ram sold in Europe?
Yes, through official importers, in left-hand drive. We have not confirmed UK dates or right-hand drive, so a UK-supplied truck is a separate case from one imported from the USA.
Why is a 1981 truck called a Dodge Ram?
The first generation was sold as the Dodge Ram. The Ram name became its own brand later. Whichever badge is on the title, we go by the VIN and build date.
Keep reading
- Pickup trucks
The wider picture for pickup trucks: tax, approval and the models we quote for.
- UK customs, duty and VAT
NOVA, the 10% duty, the 20% VAT and the historic vehicle rate.
- IVA or MOT?
Which test your American car takes, and what each involves.
- All the models
The same age lines for every model we cover, side by side.
Bringing over a Ram 1500?
Tell us the year and where it is. We come back with an itemised landed cost. No deposit, no obligation.