What is an end-of-series vehicle

In order for a vehicle to be registered in Ireland it must meet certain standards and regulations - this is known as vehicle type approval.

Some vehicles may have conformed to all the relevant standards at the time they were built but due to the passage of time and changes to standards and regulations they may now not meet all of the current requirements to allow them to become registered - these vehicles are called end-of-series vehicles.

You can view a list of upcoming EC Directives and EC Regulations which contain mandatory entry into service dates for motor vehicles at the following table of upcoming EC Regulatory Acts (PDF).

End of series exemption scheme

This scheme allows vehicle manufacturers and distributors to apply for a set period of additional time (12 months for complete vehicles and 18 months for completed (multistage) vehicles) to register and sell end of series vehicles by granting exemptions from some of the latest changes to directives/regulations.

The additional time begins on the date on which the changes were brought into law - or in other words the date the vehicle lost its type approval validity.

It is not related to the date an application for exemption is received or granted by the RSA.

Exemptions can be granted for:

• passenger vehicles (Category M) 
• good vehicles (Category N)
• motorcycles (Category L)

How to apply

• Download and print relevant application form on company headed paper
  
  
• End of series application form for passenger and goods vehicles
• Motor cycles (2 or 3 wheeled motor vehicles) application form - end of series (DOC

• Complete the application in full - incomplete applications will not be processed - if required you can email a copy of the application form to vehiclestandards@rsa.ie for verification    
• Ensure you have full details of the directive or regulation to which the vehicle no longer conforms to 
• List of the vehicles affected - this should include:
  
  - Make/Model
  - V.I.N ( Vehicle Identification Number)
  - Type Approval Number
  
  

  View an example excel template (EXCEL)which you can complete and return to us

• Applications should include original certificates of conformity representative of the vehicles for which the exemption is being applied for, where a large number of vehicles are being applied for certificates can be limited to a 10% representative sample.

Applications must be sent in both electronic and postal forms. 

Electronic: 
Email to vehiclestandards@rsa.ie  - please note this should include a  scanned copy of the signed application form.  

Postal:
        Vehicle Standards
        Road Safety Authority
        Moy Valley Business Park
        Primrose Hill
        Ballina
        Co.Mayo

Please note:

• Applications can only be made by a vehicle distributor or manufacturer
• There is no fee required for applications
•  All application forms should be printed on your own company headed paper, signed, scanned and then submitted as part of your electronic application.
• All certificates of conformities sent to us will be photocopied and originals will be returned to applicants as soon as possible. 

Further Information  

Should you have any further queries please contact us:

Vehicle Standards
Road Safety Authority
Moy Valley Business Park
Primrose Hill
Ballina
Co.Mayo

Tel: 096 25014
email: vehiclestandards@rsa.ie