Hi Guys
I have been on to the DVLA and just today received the following response:
MY 1ST EMAIL TO DVLA sent 29 jan 18.47p.m.
Dear sir, madam
It has come to my notice that there is a consultation document about HGV mot exemptions. As a owner of a ex military vehicle this will affect me and countless others.
Can I suggest that you get in touch with Military vehicle trust, who are a DVLA approved club, as a lot of these
vehicles are part of this countries history and this would be a death knell for the hobby.
Thank you.
Paul
MY 2ND EMAIL TO DVLA sent 30 jan 08.12.a.m.
Joanne,
This relates to the DVLA consultation going on about MOT exemptions
(HGV.)
I have a 1964 Daimler Ferret ex military vehicle weighs approx 3700kg and I
think, at moment, VOSA class it as a motor tractor. I go to 10 approx shows a year covering, at most, 1000 miles a year, as it is a hobby.
Will my Ferret, if this goes ahead, be tested as a 1964 vehicle or a modern one? Is there going to be money to out fit new test stations to accommodate these unusual vehicles? Will there be an exemption for NON commercial users? This is a hobby not a business.
And finally, have you consulted with military vehicle clubs?
Looking fwd to your reply.
Paul
RESPONSE FROM DVLA
Dear Paul
Thanks for your responses to our consultation.
I've also had a look at the comments on the HMVF thread that you started.
Broadly, the intention of this consultation is to look at those vehicles that look like an HGV and act like an HGV but are currently exempt from plating and testing.
It is not our intention to catch or persecute historic vehicle owners. It is not our intention that a Daimler Ferret's status would be changed by these proposals. I'm sure that most historic vehicles will remain outside the regulations. However it is possible that a few of your colleagues might get caught by our proposals.
At this stage we are only consulting and will adjust our proposals according to responses received. We have received a number of emails from historic vehicle owners and will talk fully with relevant organisations that represent your interests to ensure that we don't catch people that were not the intended targets.
The question you raise about VOSA being able to accommodate unusual vehicles is also one that has to be looked at in detail. We are not going to try to introduce new rules that it is then impossible for VOSA to comply with.
Once we draft new regulations there will have to be a second consultation to go with the proposed new legislation. This will happen towards the end of this year at the earliest, depending on how complicated getting definitions clear turns out to be.
The consultation doesn't end until March 19 and we welcome all responses from individuals or organisations until then. We will be talking further and meeting with key stakeholders after that date.
I hope that this goes some way towards reassuring you.
Robert Newman
Policy Advisor
Vehicle Roadworthiness and Enforcement Branch
Zone 2/09
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 020 7944 6575
Useful websites:
Department for Transport - http://www.dft.gov.uk
Transport Office - http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk
Directgov - http://www.direct.gov.uk