So this is about loss of "Historic Vehicle" status, by redefining just what constitutes a historic vehicle. Seems they don't want us to restore or repair them, so presumably Historic would only apply to completely original, untouched vehicles -which would count out Taz's rebuilt 1969 Dodge for a start.
Does the loss of Historic status mean you wouldn't be able to drive your vehicle on the public roads any more, or just that you'd have to pay the full road tax like everyone else?
Tax exempt cars are becoming very sought after now as they can save you several hundred pounds a year, so is this just another revenue raising ruse? Or part of a longer term strategy to remove older cars & bikes from the roads completely? As someone with several older machines, I'm suprised the tax exempt loophole's been allowed to continue so long -all those cars on the roads not paying tax to the Government, must infuriate the men from the ministry.
Maybe a controversial view, but a "Historic" uses the same road space as any modern car & pumps out more emmissions etc & most of the general tax paying motoring public would probably ask why our old vehicles deserve to be treated differently from their modern ones. I doubt they'd support our cause.
So if it comes to a choice between paying tax or not driving them at all, I'd grudgingly pay up.
When the exemption was granted for Historic vehicles there were approx 220,000 on the road, that has now grown to 330,000 ( without a rolling exemption ) with between 3-5000 'new' being added every year.
The EU do not want Historics to have free access to the roads , most EU country have some form of restriction on their use.
The UK is unique ( virtually) in having an Individual Vehicel Assessment but only becuse we fought for it back in 1977 whereas the rest of Europe didn't.
We have a long tradition of home grown specials,some of which turned into proper companies . We do not conform therfore are a threat to blandness.
