More online petitions for extension of free road tax.

[Blaketon]

I have some reservations about free tax (That it could be used as a reason to restrict usage) but since we have it, lets have a level playing field. If anyone has ever read the FBHVC newsletter, there is always some form of legislation flying around aimed, ostensibly, at "Old bangers". They nearly always contain exemptions for "Historics". The question is, what is an historic? According to the DVLA it is something built before 1973. Is my immaculate 1979 MG Midget an old banger or an historic? The issue for me is not one of paying road tax but of definition, a level playing field and for historic owners to be seen to stick together.

Going off topic, if it were left to me, road tax would be scrapped and an extra amount put on to fuel duty such that the average motorist (10000 miles a year in a "Mondeo") would pay, overall, the same in a year as with road tax. An MOT disc would be displayed in the car window. To obtain an MOT one would need to provide a valid certificate of insurance. Not foolproof but no less so that the present situation. It could be asked why should new cars need MOTs? Why not - or if not, it could be less rigourous for the first three years.

This way everyone pays for what they use and the way they drive. There will always be people who can and will afford to pollute. The only way to curb that (For those who feel there is a need), is to give everyone an energy ration. In other words, a combination of a long daily commute, a big house, three foreign holidays a year and a big car won't add up. Clearly there would have to be special allowances. No doubt it would be an administrative nightmare and open to corruption!!