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Support Vehicle have a proven history of providing free of charge American Cop Car experiences to severely and terminally ill children, teens and adults since 2016.

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EBC BRAKES REMAIN COMMITTED TO ITS EXCLUSIVE UK & USA MANUFACTURING


 EBC Brakes produce the largest range of brake pads and brake discs in the world, with over 5000 part numbers for every type of moving vehicle 

EBC Brakes are made in one of its two specialist factories in the UK and USA. The majority of EBC brake discs or brake rotors are also made in the UK.

 WHAT'S STOPPING YOU! 

EBC has no less than 8 dynamometer systems in its two factories representing over $3 million investment in research along and with its 60 year pedigree of brake material blending you can be sure that brake pads bearing the EBC name will deliver and perform. Environment is equally important to EBC and the brake pads made in their factories have every possible consideration for environmental protection.

Whether you drive an American Law Enforcement, high performance sports car or family salon EBC Brakes is the one stop shop for premium UK and USA made clutches, clutch tools, brakes, pads, callipers, brake lines, discs & rotors for Automotive, Motorcycle, Mountain Bike & Racing.

For American Law Enforcement enthusiasts and owners of these iconic vehicles like ourselves we trust that you will find the following useful.


 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is a four-door sedan designed for law enforcement. The iconic police interceptor offers a massive trunk to store goods and equipment. Ford stopped the production of Crown in 2011, but it remained in service for a long time.

The Crown Victoria is a heavy car with a considerable size due to its high durability, which is why many of them ended up as cabs. It has a high-capacity alternator and external oil coolers to keep the driveline temperature in low-speed patrols and high-speed chases.

One of its remarkable abilities was to give high performance in rugged terrains due to stiffer shock absorbers and long travel higher suspension, making it an inch higher than the civilian variant.

 FORD TAURUS 


The Ford Taurus Interceptor is a popular car used by police across the United States. It has a 3.3L HEV, 3.3 Direct-Injection V6, and 3.0 EcoBoost engine to give reliable power to police cars.

Moreover, it is also one of the fastest cars in the police fleet reaching 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and having a top speed of 150 mph. Unfortunately, Ford halted the Taurus production in 2019, but the cars are still in service in many states.

  • Front pads: DP43019R
  • Front discs: RK7607
  • Rear pads: DP41887R
  • Rear discs: RK7608

https://perfectbrakes.com/automotive/ford/taurus/3.70--Petrol-2014-2019/19040175

 FORD EXPLORER 

The Ford Explorer is the fastest police car sold up till now. The Michigan State Police test showed Explorer could reach 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. It has a 400 horsepower twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine and can reach 100mph in 13.5 seconds.

The V-8 variant can reach up to 139 mphs under a mile. It also has a good turning radius which is beneficial in emergencies and pursuits. Ford has designed the Full-Time Intelligent AWD for the police interceptor to calibrate to complement pursuit driving. The Ford Explorer can detect if the vehicle is in pursuit and automatically switch to pursuit mode to help the officers.


 CHEVY TAHOE 

Chevrolet designed the first Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) and Special Service Vehicle (SSV) by using the standard SUV design as inspiration. It is commonly used for routine operations like patrolling, K9 unit, HAZMAT and can even handle tactical operations.

It has a powerful 5.3L V8 engine that delivers 320 horsepower. Also, it has power driver seats to accommodate officers with their duty belts. Tahoe helps officers to work in challenging terrains with Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control.

The Tahoe PPV is lower to the ground than the standard version, offering more control in high-speed pursuits. Moreover, it has fuel-efficient systems to consume less fuel.


 DODGE CHARGER 

Officers are more than ready to take down criminals, thanks to the addition of more powerful and reliable cars like the Dodge Charger. The 2022 Dodge Charger Pursuit is specifically designed for law enforcement agencies.

The car is equipped with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine that can deliver up to 300 horsepower or a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine that can give up to 370 horsepower. It also has high security and safety features, which include ballistic door protection and a secure park feature that enables brake transmission switch interlock to prevent transmission from shifting out of the park when engaged. The vehicle is designed to provide comfortable space and accommodate special police equipment, uniforms, and gadgets.


(Part Number: D7241) EBC D Series Premium OE Replacement Disc Rotors (Pair) to fit front 

(Part No: D7243) EBC D Series Premium OE Replacement Disc Rotors (Pair) to fit rear


(Part Number: GD7241) EBC GD Series Sport Disc Rotors (Pair) to fit front 

(Part No: GD7243) EBC GD Series Sport Disc Rotors (Pair) to fit rear 

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WHAT IS THE LAW ABOUT VISION AND DRIVING?


 You must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’. 


You must be able to read a registration plate from 20 metres (approximately five car lengths). It is an offence to drive with uncorrected defective eyesight.

Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides this power. The test can be carried out between 8am and 9pm, only in daylight.

What if I refuse to do the test?

If the officer has a reasonable suspicion that you have been driving while your eyesight is such that you could not pass the test and you refuse to do so, you are committing an offence.

The Police can, and do, require drivers who they have stopped to take an on-the-spot roadside eyesight test to prove that they can read a number plate from 20 metres if they are concerned about their eyesight.

There is a fast track system whereby a decision to revoke your licence can be quickly made, such a decision taking place within hours. Once your licence is revoked, it will be not be returned until you can demonstrate that your eyesight meets the required standard.

Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight or refusing to submit to a test of vision carries a fine, discretionary disqualification and an obligatory endorsement of three penalty points.

To eradicate uncorrected defective eyesight we bring our Police Interceptor to your place of business where our uniformed officers will carry out a non evasive confidential eyesight mock road test where only your employee knows the result of the test.

Support Vehicle's eyesight mock road test is not intended to replace detailed examinations from a qualified eye health professional but to inform the people who need further examination of the legal consequences of defective eyesight.

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AS WE LEAVE 2023 AND ENTER 2024


 MY FIRST CHRISTMAS WITH SUPPORT VEHICLE 

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For those of you who don't know me, I am a rescue Dachshund born 23rd January 2021 and part of a small but dedicated team of volunteers who support seriously and terminally ill children, teens and adults through free of charge passenger experiences in fully loaded American Law Enforcement vehicles that have been imported from the States and now (UK) road legal.

Dog popularity is hardly new! However, not many dogs can say they have an American Police Interceptor in the UK as an office, right? The purpose, mission and values of my blogs gives you the opportunity of supporting those facing difficult times in a way that no drug or medicine could every hope to achieve.

Although volunteering is often considered as a charitable and altruistic activity, corporate volunteering gives employees the chance to build connections with their local communities and give back to society which can have a positive impact on a company's brand reputation.

Support Vehicle are offering businesses the chance to drive a fully loaded UK road legal American Police Interceptor. You can also receive Motoring News, Law Changes and Exclusive Material straight to your inbox by subscribing here and or on the home page of this website.

Video is hugely popular – sometimes more popular than the written word. GoPro, DashCams and Drones are undeniably great for capturing stunning footage and in the foreseeable future we hope be able to get our own equipment through "Buy me a coffee' donations so please support us and email the things you are curious about as to American Law Enforcement vehicles so I may review and prepare the best answers, photos and videos for you in my blogs! 

If you like this blog please share it with your social media followers by copying and pasting the following; supportvehicle.co.uk/blog/merry-christmas-and-prosperous-new-year 

IS IT LEGAL TO DRIVE AN AMERICAN COP CAR IN THE UK?


YES;  however, 

Navigating the complexities of importing your dream American Law Enforcement vehicle from the
USA doesn't need to be tedious as Cop Cars UK stock a range of quality imported American turn key Interceptors, Cruisers and SUV's.

You can inspect (appointment only) Cop Cars UK's vehicles with your trusted mechanic here in the UK and drive your dream vehicle home on the day. How cool is that, or you can choose the tedious route. 

THE TEDIOUS ROUTE 
  • Unless you have physically inspected and happy with the vehicle you are purchasing from the USA or have 100% confidence in the seller the 'risks' speak for themselves. 
LOGISTICS & GLOBAL TRANSPORT
  • The average cost of shipping a car from the USA to the UK starts around $1000+. The price of car shipping to the UK also depends on the origin of the vehicle in the US, the shipping service chosen, and the final destination in the UK.
HOW MUCH IS IMPORT TAX ON A CAR FROM USA TO UK?
  • You will need to pay tax and VAT at a rate of 10% of the total value of the vehicle and 20% VAT on top of that.
  • You may also run into some pretty extortionate shipping port fees that could blow your budgeting to absolute smithereens as well as the costs of transporting your vehicle from port to home. 
ONCE YOU HAVE GOT YOUR VEHICLE HOME, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR DVLA TO REGISTER YOUR CAR?
  • It can take up to 6 weeks or longer for your registration certificate (V5C) to arrive. You need the V5C to get number plates made up. 

VEHICLES OVER 10 YEARS OLD ALSO REQUIRE SOME MODIFICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO.

  • Light conversions. This is due to the direction that the lights are mounted to shine on, because the U.K. drives on the opposite side of the road, the lights need to be adjusted to accommodate this. The light conversion also includes mounting a fog light at the rear centre to the right hand side of the vehicle, light control switch must light up when the fog light is on and must be seen from driver’s seat
  • Parking lights must be white (not amber), and angled to match the UK cars, rear turning signals must flash amber.
IF YOUR VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD YOU WILL ALSO REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE APPROVAL 'IVA'
 
IVA is a UK National approval scheme for vehicles and trailers imported, assembled or manufactured in very small numbers or as individual vehicles e.g. amateur built cars, bespoke trailers etc. It is a means of checking that vehicles broadly meet the technical requirements laid out in European legislation, ensuring that they have been designed and constructed to modern safety and environmental standards.

Vehicles submitted for IVA inspections need to demonstrate that they generally comply with the
technical provisions of Directive 2007/46/EC. The IVA scheme checks that vehicles constructed for non-European markets comply with UK law. Even vehicles which appear outwardly similar to European specification models, but are intended for other markets, can often prove unsuitable for use in the United Kingdom without at least some modification. The scheme ensures that these vehicles have been designed and constructed to modern safety and environmental standards and helps make sure that they are safer on the road and have a lower impact on the environment.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF DURING THE IVA TEST?

An IVA test looks at the vehicle from a different perspective than a MoT for example; The design of the vehicle is assessed to ensure that it meets regulations that are in place across the EU and your vehicle.

THE TOP 10 REASONS THAT CARS AND OTHER VEHICLES IN THE M1 INSPECTION CATEGORY FAIL THE IVA INSPECTION:
  • Headlamp aim
  • General construction
  • Brakes
  • Rear fog lamps
  • Exterior projections
  • Speedometers
  • Statutory plates
  • Seat belt anchorages
  • Emissions
  • Interior fittings
IVA LEFT HAND DRIVES 

At the time of publishing this post the cost of an IVA is 

Test type         Service Charge + VAT In working hours         Average test length

Inspection                            £256.78                                              110 minutes

Re-inspection                      £51.61                                                35 minutes

Appeal                                  £256.78                                               70 minutes

PLEASE ALSO NOTE

You will still require a valid MoT certificate alongside the IVA Certificate before you can legally register and drive the vehicle on the UK road. You will also need to transport your vehicle to the IVA test centre and home.

You may also find yourself facing hefty costs and waiting times as to parts and shipping etc when preparing your vehicle to pass its MoT.  

HOWEVER, GOOD NEWS REGARDING AMERICAN CARS NUMBER PLATES

Fortunately for drivers of American cars in the UK, the regulations now state that imported cars may display number plates with smaller characters if: a) The vehicle does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval and b) The construction/design of the vehicle cannot accommodate standard size number plates. Therefore, the following specifications, which are identical to those given to motorbikes and tricycles, may be applied:

  • Character height: 64mm
  • Character width: 44mm
  • Character stroke: 10mm
  • Space between characters: 10mm

Minister for Transport, John Spellar, announced this ruling on 31 July 2001. Almost all American cars are manufactured with a motorcycle size number plate and it is costly to modify these plates. This rule saves money, as well as the inconvenience of modifying. Law enforcement agencies are still able to clearly read these registrations, so they do not cause any problems.

LIGHTBARS

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations (Part 2, Section 16) state:

No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with–

(a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or

(b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

However, also in the regulations, (Part 1, Section 4, 4) Exemptions - General, it states:

(4) Without prejudice to regulation 16, for the purposes of these Regulations a lamp shall not be treated as being a lamp if it is –

(a) so painted over or masked that it is not capable of being immediately used or readily put to use; or

(b)an electric lamp which is not provided with any system of wiring by means of which that lamp is, or can readily be, connected with a source of electricity.

Which was accepted by ACPO (now NPCC) as meaning that as long as a blue lightbar/beacon was isolated from a supply of electricity 'in the boot' and as long as there are no other factors that would create an offence, it should be disregarded (paraphrased). 

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