The Cuban Ministry of Transportation (Mitrans) has announced an extension for the registration of Custom-Built Vehicles (CBVs) until November 7, 2026. This decision extends the original deadline, which was set for early October, by an additional month.
Mitrans attributed this extension to the challenges faced by the country and the numerous requests from vehicle owners who have yet to complete their registration.
Registration is conducted exclusively through the digital platform vap.transnet.cu, which the ministry has designated for this process. Once the deadline passes, the portal will remain accessible only for checking the status of applications, without allowing new submissions.
The procedure is governed by Mitrans' Resolution 47/2026, which was signed in June and published in the Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 83 on August 4, 2026, coming into effect three days later. Originally, the regulation set a 60-day period for digital registration, expiring around October 5.
This process targets individual owners of mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles, sidecars, trailers, or semi-trailers assembled with parts and components that were not included in previous homologation processes.
To register, owners must provide their permanent identity number, birth record book and page, residential address, contact numbers, place of acquisition of the engine and frame, vehicle class and model, color, engine and frame numbers, fuel type, and a side photograph of the vehicle.
Each owner or legal representative is allowed to register only one vehicle through this process. If an owner is outside Cuba or has health issues, a legal representative may complete the registration on their behalf.
After the registration period closes, Mitrans will have 15 days to plan technical inspections, which will be conducted over 180 days. During this phase, a Homologation Commission will evaluate each vehicle through a Technical Motor Vehicle Inspection and declare it fit or unfit for registration.
Vehicles deemed fit will receive a technical report, enabling their owners to register them in the Vehicle Registry within the following 90 days. Those deemed unfit can undergo a new inspection within a maximum of 15 days.
This marks the second CBV homologation process in Cuba, the first of which took place in 2024 under Resolution 95/2024, concluding with 107,670 vehicles registered, mostly motorcycles, by August 22 of that year.
CBVs have become a widespread phenomenon in Cuba, where the chronic shortage of commercial vehicles and parts has compelled thousands to assemble their own means of transportation using components from various sources.
In March 2022, the Cuban government estimated that over 100,000 of these vehicles were in operation across the country. Since August 2021, legal circulation has been permitted, provided the homologation process is followed.
FAQs about Custom-Built Vehicle Registration in Cuba
What is the new deadline for registering Custom-Built Vehicles in Cuba?
The new deadline for registering Custom-Built Vehicles in Cuba is November 7, 2026.
Where can vehicle owners register their Custom-Built Vehicles?
Vehicle owners can register their Custom-Built Vehicles on the digital platform vap.transnet.cu.
What happens if a vehicle is declared unfit during the inspection?
Vehicles declared unfit can undergo a new inspection within a maximum of 15 days to attempt to meet the required standards.