Morris Minor Owners Club

There are two more petitions aimed at extending entitlement to free road tax. See http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/classiccars/ & http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ClassicRoadTax/ .

The first one does not have long to run whilst the second one has until January 2008. On present form, the government shows no sign of yielding, but the more people that sign, the more it shows that the historic movement is not a divided movement.

In Europe most countries who have free tax for historics base entitlement on a vehicle age of 20 - 35 years. Denmark operated on a rolling 35 year basis. At the end of 2007, historic owners in the UK will fall behind Denmark in terms of entitlement to free tax.

Why as road users should we be exempt/opt out from paying our way.
I know the cars are old and that little tax goes on the actual roads, but it seems a wierd affair to me. Surely if you own a classic ( environmentally friendly) due to its longevity then you should pay on milage. By this I mean that most classics cover few miles so should pay a lower tax, but if you run your classic as a daily driver then pay the dues like everyone else. Contentious I know on this site, just an observation.

Why as road users should we be exempt/opt out from paying our way.

Hmmm... wonder if it's the thunderstorms in the air, but, I actually agree with Jonathon
On a personal note I couldn't care less if we pay or not, I would still keep my classics on the road, and the way all these petitions are flying around the Govt; are just likely to bring a tax in to spite everyone, and I'm afraid it's the old saying... leave well alone

Mal

don't worry Mal, it won't last... there again!

Mal

I'd sell all my cars and go back to cycling everywhere again if I had to pay to drive my minor!!!! Road Tax is there to pay for the up-keep of the roads and as nearly every street I drive on on a day to day basis are rougher than the 4x4 course at Solihull's land rover plant I'd refuse on principal to pay it!!!

would not bother ma as well
either way, nice to have free road tax, but in the end if we have to pay then so be it

I personally don't mind paying if I know what I'm paying for, but unfortunately I don't

Is'nt thay the case for most of the taxes we pay, I do feel that all road users should pay a form of tax if they use the roads. If in Lees case he has poor roads then maybe the energy put into this sort of petition should be more focused on a direct action on road maintenance. I'd also like to see heavy traffic, trucks, coaches, taxi's etc pay more, and the inclusion of public transport into emmission limitation, plus limiting foreign truck hauliers from running their businesses over here.

jonathon wrote:I'd also like to see heavy traffic, trucks, coaches, taxi's etc pay more,......

Also unnecessarily large or powerful cars?

Ahh ha, Bill, large and powerfull need not be uneconomical or ecologically unsound. Size is relative.

Please give me some examples of large, powerful, economical and ecologically sound cars Jonathon

Staying on topic a 1.8K series Minor 185bhp = well over 200 + bhp per tonne averaging 45mpg and 55mpg at motorway speeds. Can also run a cat if needed. Plus unders current legislation would also have free car tax!!!

That's one 'modified' classic car, and I thought you were against free car tax anyway However I was refering to modern production cars, ones that can seat large numbers of people, yet normally only carry one, and are also capable of speeds way in excess of the legal limit. Why?

Well I was only trying to satisfy your lust for info I just threw in the tax thing for good measure. Even the Minor will exceed the legal speed limit. The place cars need to be economic and clean is in towns, unfortunately this environment is the least economic for all cars be petrol or diesel. Re modern production cars, its not their fault that the owners are the only occupant, plus many of these are based on standard saloon floorpans and running gear so should be no less efficient on fuel.. Even some 4x4 are relatively economical compaired to some large family saloons. As for sports cars, why not, after all Concord was held up as the last great defining moment in aircraft design. Plus these cars are inspirational, and we all crave inspiration especially if you're a petrol head.

I rest my case

jonathon wrote:I'd also like to see heavy traffic, trucks, coaches, taxi's etc pay more,......

When I came off the big wagons 3 years ago the road tax on my 44 tonner was over a grand and has gone up since. Is that not enough? Road tax for vehicles should be connected to the type of journey and number of people in the vehicle! Driving back from the web rally today on the M42 I only saw half a dozen cars with more than 1 person in them!!

Ahh hum, re your post on the website rally, was that not you behind the wheel of Thrust whatever time to come out of the closet Bill, yer a petrol head at heart

Think the sanest suggestion that does the rounds is pay the road duty on the fuel you use - sort of pay as you go road tax, higher mileage/ lower fuel economy drivers pay more plus with the added advantage even the tax dodgers would be forced to pay up.

Sounds fair but penalises those who live in remote or country locations, who have now had public transport taken from them. Some folk just need to drive more. Its a bit like water meters, fine for a couple but a real penalty fo those with a family