Machine Dating Officer’s Role November 2025.
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The post of Machine Dating Officer (MDO) is an appointed position. The MDO is appointed by the REOC Committee. As such he/she is accountable to the REOC Committee and of course the DVLA. The MDO is not obligated to attend Committee Meetings. It is however beneficial for the MDO to attend at least one Committee Meeting per year. Attendance can either be at the request of the Officer or the REOC Committee.
Although no formal qualifications are required for the role the MDO must be a current Member of the REOC and possess a good working knowledge of Royal Enfield models both new and old. Similarly a working knowledge of email communications and the electronic storage of information is required. The vast majority of applications for machine identification are made via email utilising digital photography. Thus the need for ‘eyes-on’ inspection is avoided.
As the MDO will be required to become a ‘recognised signatory’ on the DVLA database they will be required to undergo a background check by that organisation. Only recognised signatories can sign Machine dating Certificates (MDCs) and countersign V627 applications.
In matters pertaining to claims for original registrations, and/or for those machines requiring age related registrations, the Officer will be accountable to DVLA Swansea for the decisions they make in electing to produce MDCs. For that reason the MDO is required to keep an electronic copy of all the MDCs that they produce along with the identification materials provided by the applicant. At the time of writing it is also the responsibility of the MDO to safely house the REOC owned Royal Enfield Redditch Factory dispatch Ledgers.
The Machine Dating Officer will be responsible for the following;
Providing Members with information contained within the Royal Enfield Dispatch Ledgers for the purpose of identifying complete machines, frames and/or engines where such information is held therein. Such information amounts, in the majority of cases, to the date of dispatch along with the name of the dealership or importer to which the machine was dispatched. Additionally, in a minority of cases, the Ledgers also contain scant details regarding specification.
In cases where the applicant has provided the correct information, for the production of an MDC, the MDO will check the Dispatch Ledgers to verify the authenticity of the application and produce and dispatch an MDC to the Member in accordance with the Ledger information.
Additionally it may be necessary for the MDO to stamp and countersign the DVLA V765 form for the retention of an original registration.
At the time of writing two versions of the DVLA V627 form are being used. One version does not require a countersignature from a recognised signatory.
What can or can’t the MDO do for me?
The MDO can only provide an MDC if the machine in question has identifiable serial numbers.
That includes machines where the engine and frame are from the same model but have different years of manufacture. Regarding DVLA applications; the inference in this example is that no engineering modifications have been required for such builds. Your MDC will verify this. Without that you will require an engineer’s report. MOT stations will sometimes provide such reports.
The MDO can, and does, refuse to certify machines.
The MDO cannot provide you with a full history of a Royal Enfield motorcycle.
Even if such info was held by the REOC GDPR would prevent us from providing it. The previous owner is usually the best source of a machine’s history.
The MDO can offer some guidance as to the correct type of DVLA application to make.
Please be aware that the MDO can only countersign original or certified copies of paperwork and cannot make your application for you.
The MDO can produce ‘certified copies’ of original paperwork IF the original has also been in their
hands.
The MDO cannot email MDCs and/or certified copies.
The DVLA only deals in originals and certified copies. If the MDO emails a reply to your polite enquiry for Ledger info on your Royal Enfield that alone does not constitute an age verification for the DVLA. Please do not try this. People have!
Please be aware that like all REOC Officers the MDO is a volunteer with a life.
Please be aware that MDOs will not lie to the DVLA on your behalf. Under any circumstances!
Please be minimalistic in writing emails and restrict your applications for MDCs to the following;
When applying for an REOC ‘Machine Dating Certificate’ please follow the process below in full;
Please email clear, colour, side-on digital photos of the completed, MOT ready, motorcycle.
Please email clear digital photos of the engine and frame numbers along with photos of where they sit on the engine and frame.
Please supply your current REOC membership number, full name (no abbreviations please) and full
postal address.
Please ensure that you provide all of this in a single email to: jd.service.repair@gmail.com
MDC payments (currently £25 for members, £60 for non-members)
ROYAL ENFIELD OWNERS CLUB
TREASURERS ACCOUNT
Sort Code – 30-99-50
Account Number – 80517260
IBAN – GB41LOYD30995080517260
BIC – LOYDGB21287
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