Huxley

On some of our classics out there

Historiccartax - epetition reply
21 June 2007

We received a petition asking:

• Read the petition
• Petitions home page

Read the Government's response

The Government is committed to using Vehicle Excise Duty as a means of bringing environmental factors into consideration when people choose to take ownership of a car. Vehicle Excise Duty also helps to support the Government's wider policy objectives by providing a valuable source of revenue from which important public services may be funded.
The Government recognises that many historic car owners would have been disappointed when the 1998 Budget decision was made to freeze the rolling 25 year exemption at 1973. However, the Government continues to judge that in the light of its environmental focus for Vehicle Excise Duty it would be inappropriate to extend the exemption at this point in time.
It should be noted that the current exemption remains in force, currently benefiting some 307,407 vehicles, many of which will be maintained in careful preservation by their owners. The exemption applies equally to all historic cars built before January 1973 irrespective of their country of manufacture.
Some other types of historic vehicle are also exempt from payment of Vehicle Excise Duty. This Government decided to make all steam powered vehicles exempt from April 2001, benefiting vehicles like preserved steam powered road rollers and traction engines. Historic lorries built before 1973 are also exempt, provided that they are not used commercially.
The Government believes that it has got the balance right in the current exemptions it offers. In considering the case for further exemptions or changes to existing ones the Government has to consider the stability of its tax measures, the consistency of its environmental signal, and the costs of delivery - these would include initial implementation costs and ongoing administrative costs.


Bugger

Miniman

iTrader: (2)

Hmm, so they are effectively saying cars between 1973 and 1982 are so numerous and do so many miles and are so harmful to the environment that we need to get rid of them. Currently 300K cars represents roughly 1% of the total cars on the UK roads today. Unsure how much that would increase if cars up to '82 were exempt too - but surely we're not talking about much more? Given the "environmental focus" they supposidly have, I'm sure they can find much more appropriate ways that don't impinge on peoples ability to have fun and enjoy themselves (which classic cars give many people).

Also I not that many old classics are actually just as fuel efficient as some modern cars, and often do a lot less mileage.

This really strikes me as someone simply not understanding the request and simply spouting a line that their transport department gave them.

And the comment about admin costs is laughable, simply make it so that any car registered with DVLA and older than 1973 is, on the DVLA database, marked as exempt. Most people will spot and old car and assume it was exempt anyway. But for any that are slightly suspect, simply get the Police or Highways Agency staff to run a check against the registration - it's arguably less adminitrative than making older cars have an "exempt" disc and all the admin that comes with that process!

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Had no idea there were so many pre 1973 cars about!

David Lock

I have a strong interest in older cars and a few years ago took a lot of calls from people who had bought a 1973 car who had no idea that the 25 year rule had been scrapped. They would get so angry that I gave up telling them!

To me it's a real pleasure to see these older vehicles pottering around of a summer's evening.

As said above the environmental excuse is absolute and complete BOLLOX

Disgusted of Sussex

(Bring back Gerald Nabarro - remember him?)
(Bring back Alan Clark)

Edmondo

Agree with adding to fuel and getting rid of Car tax - how many dodgers are there? - about a million or so - then everyone pays.

Marky-San

Yes, and the government ad campaign - we know where you are - is a load of tosh as well. It only serves to get people who have registered, but fails with the considerable amount of people who never got tax in the first place.

Classic cars are great - and I too love seeing people out and about using them.

GaryK

Yes I agree shame it was scrapped, that said my 73 TR6 is exempt so nice and cheap and lets hope they dont get changing the rule on pre-73 cars anytime soon!