revert to a rolling 25 years for historic vehicles petition

[dp]

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/historiccartax/

Doubt it'll make any difference but only takes a moment to do

[Onne]

Pity I am not allowed to vote:(

[gairlochrosie]

Done It !!

[chickenjohn]

I've done it too but as this was one of the first things the current gov did when they got in power (freeze the previously rolling free tax date) as a nice "hello" message to the classic car community. I think the only thing that could reinstate the exemption would be a change of government. And sadly, the likely alternatives will not change it either as it may be seen as "non green" or some such nonsense.

Make sure you go on your local clubs forthcoming "drive it day" as a means of peaceful protest against oppression of the classic car movement.

[Rob_Jennings]

signed,

Onne, you can vote. It says you must be a British citizen or resident so you qualify as a resident.

[Onne]

Cool Will vote then

[tony22]

ihave done it

[grahamt7]

signed.

[Kevin]

Have done likewise

[Innovator]

Check out what the http://www.fbhvc.co.uk/ are doing. I seem to remember that they are working on this but it may be a 30 year date as in Europe. A united voice would be better rarther than lots of campaigns.

John

[alex_holden]

Signed. I'll post about this on my blog too.

[alex_holden]

I've just noticed there is a second petition asking for the cutoff date to be pushed forward by ten years:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ClassicRoadTax/

Also note that the (poorly worded) text of the "historriccartax" petition doesn't ask for a return to a rolling cutoff date, it merely asks for an extension to the existing fixed cutoff date.

Here is my blog entry about the petition:
http://alex-holden.livejournal.com/38142.html

[moggyminor16]

done it

[alex_holden]

Here is the government's response to this petition:

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.

[moggyminor16]

in other words
they need the road tax money so they can have a slap up meal at teh end of the year on us
what will they sting us for next

[Packedup]

In respect of forum policies which prevent negative political comment, I will remain silent on the repsonse quoted above.

[gairlochrosie]

Absolutely deplorable !. I'm sick hearing from tourists from the EU telling me that they get their road licence free after the car is 25 years old (like we use to). Rip-off Britain indeed!!. This is all because of a none driving Chancellor (and him a scotsman, no wonder the other EU classic owners I have met, and I meet a few, just look at me and laugh) Makes me mad!

[gairlochrosie]

In respect of forum policies which prevent negative political comment, I will remain silent on the repsonse quoted above.

oops!!!!

[paulhumphries]

but it may be a 30 year date as in Europe.
John

The European rules restrict use of "historic" vehicles.
The 1952 Minerva I'm having off a mate who lives in Belgium is on historic plates.
I don't know the full rules but one aspect is the distance you can travel from the registered address is limited to approx 20-30 miles.
You can attend shows etc further away but need confirmation of being an exhibitor in writing.
Going down the united path with the rest of Europe , in my opinion, isn't what we should be going for as it might take cars such as our Minors out of everyday use and render them "weekend toys" only

Paul Humphries

[Onne]

These rules are not the same throughout the continent.

I know Belgium and France have a special carte gris (if I remember correctly) which makes the cars exempt from tax/ MOT.

You do however have the choice of having it registered as a normal car, thus usable for everyday use.

The rolling 25 years is still applicable to Holland, 1982 is getting tax exempt now, they have no restrictive rules on distances etc.