The FIVA Technical Commission
The FIVA Technical Commission exists to support and encourage owners in the preservation, restoration, and use of their historic vehicles in a historically and technically correct manner. But first, what do we mean by a ‘historic vehicle’?
- FIVA defines a historic vehicle as a mechanically propelled road vehicle at least 30 years old, preserved and maintained in a historically correct condition, which is not used as means of daily transport and which is, therefore, part of our technical and cultural heritage.
- FIVA defines a youngtimer as a mechanically propelled road vehicle between 20 and 29 years old, in good condition and preservation, which is usually used for leisure purposes and may become eligible for a FIVA Identity Card when it reaches 30 years of age.
Meanwhile, the terms encompass all vehicles propelled by an engine and intended to transport people or goods, including cars, motorcycles, lorries (or trucks), buses, military and agricultural vehicles. The means of propulsion can be petrol (gas), diesel, steam, electricity, or any other (in-period) energy source.
Aims and Objectives of the Commission
The commission is tasked with creating standardised methods and rules to describe the originality and condition of a historic vehicle. The resulting FIVA Technical Codes enable FIVA member countries to implement an internationally accepted means of dating, classifying and evaluating the level of preservation of a historic vehicle.
It’s also the commission’s responsibility to keep records of all FIVA Cards issued worldwide. In countries where there is no FIVA representation, the commission has the authority to issue FIVA Cards directly.
In addition, the commission supports member countries (ANFs) by providing training for their scrutineers – and assists them with the online FIVA Card application process and other technical matters.
Commission Meetings
The commission consists of a chairman, three vice-chairmen, a secretary and commission members. In addition, the commission uses specialist advisors. The commission meets up to four times a year to discuss such topics as vehicle originality, regulations and any future requirements – and at least once a year calls a full Technical Commission meeting to include specialists from all ANFs.
To apply for a FIVA Card in a country where we have no ANF:
Members of the Technical Commission
Chairman:
Laurent Heriou (FR)
E-mail: here
Secretary
- Joerg Blaumeier DAVC Germany
Members
- Janko Uratnik SVS – Slovenia
- Geir Iversen LMK – Norway
- Mihalis Georgiakos FILPA – Greece
- Tilman Kleber ADAC – Germany
- Jean-Francois Ruchaud FFVE – France
- Stephen Wilkinson OKAK – Cyprus
- Stefano Bendandi ASI – Italy
- Felix Aschwanden SHVF – Switzerland
- Michaela Riedl OEMVV – Austria
- Luis Cunha ACP Classicos – Portugal
Advisors
- Mark Gessler Mille Miglia – USA (Former TC President)
- Rod Brayshaw VCCNZ – New Zealand
- Alec Daly CAC – Argentina
- Detlef Krukenkamp DAVC – Germany
- Nicos Tofarides LESPA-FIPA – Cyprus
Application & Guidelines for a FIVA Card
FIVA Identity Card
The FIVA Identity (or ID) Card is issued for a historic vehicle, defined as being a mechanically driven (powered) street vehicle (car, motorcycle, utilitarian) that is:
- at least 30 years old
- in a historically correct and maintained state
- not used as everyday transport and is thus part of our technical and cultural heritage
A FIVA ID Card is only issued after a physical inspection of the vehicle to ensure it complies with the FIVA Technical Code.
Benefits of the FIVA ID Card include:
- extensive independent documentation of vehicle data
- modifications and remodelling recorded on the card
- data and pictures clearly attributed to the vehicle
- national and international recognition that might be reflected in beneficial regulations
- limited validity (10 years or change of owner) that increases credibility
- potential increase in value of the vehicle
- statistical data on models in existence to enhance the likelihood of spare parts manufacture and other maintenance support
FIVA Identity Card
A FIVA Youngtimer Registration Document is issued for a vehicle that is:
- between 20 and 29 years of age
- in good condition and preservation
- generally used during leisure time only
- potentially eligible for a FIVA Identity Card when it becomes 30 years old
The FIVA Youngtimer Registration Document may be issued without a physical inspection of the vehicle.
Procedure for vehicles in countries with FIVA representation
In accordance with the Technical Code of FIVA, the application form will be submitted to the ANF (Autorité National FIVA/National FIVA Authority) of the country where the vehicle is currently registered.
Procedures differ from country to country, so please refer to the ANF of the country in which your vehicle is registered for instructions.
If accepted, the ANF will issue a FIVA Card that is valid for a maximum of 10 years. Should there be a change of ownership or if the vehicle’s specifications are changed, a new FIVA Card will be required.
The FIVA Card remains the property of FIVA and must be returned to the issuing authority or FIVA upon request.
The FIVA Card is for identification purposes only; it is no guarantee of the vehicle’s authenticity and is not to be used for commercial purposes or proof of the vehicle’s history.
Issuing of FIVA Cards
History: From the very beginning of FIVA’s activities, one of the most important roles was to organise the classification and issuing of FIVA Cards for historic vehicles. FIVA therefore developed the Technical Code, which described the requirements by which a vehicle becomes a historic vehicle and also the procedures on how to obtain the supporting FIVA Card.
The FIVA Technical Commission uses an interactive FIVA Card issuing system, based on modern information and communication technologies. This enables applicants to access the system and request the FIVA Card online, giving the ANFs a much better overview and control of issued FIVA Cards. The FIVA Technical Commission is able to process the applications and the cards more easily and accurately.
Vehicles and issued FIVA Card data are stored in a unique, encrypted and well-protected database. Furthermore, each vehicle is allocated a FIVA Registration Number – FRN, generated from that vehicle’s individual parameters and unique to the vehicle for its lifetime.
The digitalised application form and associated questionnaire allow more detailed description of the vehicle to be uploaded by using drop-down choices for the vehicle’s properties; this enables the user to create stronger records for such areas as the vehicle’s restoration, event history, ownership details, etc.
The FIVA database, holding the vehicle’s information, will enable us to better protect against any attempts of fraudulent or illegal activities.
The vehicle owner will receive a FIVA Card that is printed directly onto high-quality, embossed material. The FIVA Card also includes a subset of the information provided and a colour picture of the vehicle for easy reference.
Laurent Heriou
President Technical Commission
The FIVA Technical Code
The Technical Code defines a HISTORIC VEHICLE in the spirit of FIVA, sets rules to classify the HISTORIC VEHICLES in various groups and describes the requirements under which FIVA can issue a FIVA-CARD.
The FIVA Card
This describes the vehicle information as provided by the owner and checked by FIVA as an independent body. The FIVA-Card identifies the vehicle and its status of preservation at the time of inspection. It also records the vehicle’s known history and modifications. The vehicle’s information is stored in a secure database. This records the technical specifications and history, in order to maintain the world’s motoring heritage. The FIVA-Card is also used in FIVA approved events as well as other events and may be used by owners for other vehicle identification purposes.
Technical Code 2020
The 2020 Technical Code is operational from the 1st of January 2021. You may download the 2020 Technical Code through the ‘Documents’ tab above.
Scrutineers Handbook
FIVA, upon application, may issue a FIVA-Card to vehicles that comply with the current Technical Code. These guidelines provide information to assist ANF’s (Authorised National Federation) and officials, tasked with issuing FIVA-Cards.
Ordering new windscreen stickers
Sometimes the FIVA-Card Stickers get lost due to the replacement of a windscreen or other reasons.
For easy identification new stickers can be ordered via the FIVA office, the procedure is very simple: make a good quality copy of both sides of your current and valid FIVA-Card. (e)mail this together with your postal address to the FIVA office.
You will find the address here and if you have scanned your copies, you can use the form on this page as well.
- Mailing new sticker will take approx. 10 days
- Price: free of charge for current and valid FIVA-Cards