The DVLA have announced important changes to the rules that govern entitlement to free Historic Vehicle road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for all cars over 40 years old.
40 Year Rolling Entitlement
The existing rules of engagement with the DVLA allow a rolling entitlement for vehicles over 40 years old and all those registered before 31 December 1976. Until now, vehicles registered early in the year after the cut-off have also qualified, if the owner can prove the vehicle was actually manufactured earlier. This entitlement was then added by the DVLA to the V5c.
Star Date 1976!
Well, it seems that the DVLA will no longer amend registration documents in this way and for 1976 vehicles on, Historic Road tax will be determined only by the date of registration. The reasoning behind this relates to the system of registration started in 1976/77 when dealers declared vehicles to be new and used at the time of registration, even though it is highly unlikely they were manufactured and registered on the same day. Even Captain Spock would struggle to find that logical!
Has It Happened to You?
Cars that are currently covered by the exemption will not be effected by the new rules, but unless things change, the new arrangements will apply from now on. We would like to hear from you if it’s happened to you when you’ve applied for an exemption. We will then gather responses to see how many of your have been effected by this new ruling. E-mail us at office@jec.org.uk.
For more information Historic Vehicle Tax from the DVLA you can access their website at www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles
