Dodge Mot

[john fox]

I asked my local post office about it they said to talk to the DVLA who said "we're not sure" and put me in contact with the department that classifies vehicles who asked me a few questions and then said, sorry but you do need an MOT.

 

Notwithstanding that there is a vast element of luck in the competence of the individual person you actually talk to, which causes the inconsistency we keep seeing, the system is this:

 

only VOSA can decide if a vehicle is MOT exempt and DVLA cannot challenge this, they simply register the decision on their database which is then updated for each MOT (if applicable)

 

only DVLA can decide how it can be registered, ie. VED/road tax class (eg: an ambulance or historic free road tax) and VOSA cannot challenge this, VOSA may not like it and may decide for MOT purposes it is actually something else but they cannot change the registration class on the DVLA database. Hence, for example, my Fox is registered by DVLA as a PLG but classed as a motor tractor by VOSA, ie a (private) LGV

 

please realise these are separate independent government departments and they cannot, and will not, cross over departmental boundaries as they are not authorised to make decisions on anything other than the regulations/legislation which they are directly responsible for.

Therefore do not ask VOSA to advise on road tax issues or ask the DVLA (or the post office!) to advise on MOT as they will know nothing about the other side's regulations and cannot comment on them.

Once you get to the right department I agree there is still a huge element of arse covering as front line staff (who are those we are dealing with) are not paid enough to personally feel responsible for decisions and so refuse to do so hence the vagueness

[Marmite!!]

Hence, for example, my Fox is registered by DVLA as a PLG but classed as a motor tractor by VOSA, ie a (private) LGV

 

 

 

My Fox is registered as a Private HGV... cheaper tax than PLG :cool2:

 

only VOSA can decide if a vehicle is MOT exempt

 

I though the exemptions were set out in the Road Traffic Act. & no one could challenge that....

Edited June 27, 2008 by Marmite!!

[Tony B]

I thought the PLG class was supposed to remove the Private HGV catergory? I'm old enough to remember it when it came in as it covered my old Bedford TK horse box.

[Marmite!!]

I thought the PLG class was supposed to remove the Private HGV catergory? I'm old enough to remember it when it came in as it covered my old Bedford TK horse box.

 

 

Yep still a tax class Tony..

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012527

[Tony B]

Well I never! I know the old classification for a van was did it have windows behuind the driver. Then Ford introduced a sort of rear quaterlight on the escort and upset the system. How much tax do you save then? But does it have to have a commercial insurance?

[Lauren Child]

My Fox is registered as a Private HGV... cheaper tax than PLG :cool2:

 

 

 

I though the exemptions were set out in the Road Traffic Act. & no one could challenge that....

 

 

You may find that not everyone counts as competent to interpret the legislation.

 

With some of the safety legislation, you can query and appeal, but you can't interpret something as being within the rules or not unless you are recognised as qualified to do so (or you can end up in hot water).

 

I hit this issue with electrical safety, and while I can read a passage in the rulebook, I'm not allowed to say something is or isn't compliant because I'm not qualified to do so. I can however say "my understanding is...", or "that's confusing, how do you interpret x?" when I think somebody's made a mistake and needs to rethink.

 

From what I've read in this thread, it sounds like MOT's work the same way. It's very frustrating for everyone.

[john fox]

I though the exemptions were set out in the Road Traffic Act. & no one could challenge that....

 

obviously government depts do not actually make the rules, that is done by parliament with royal assent :coffee:

 

I meant in the sense that VOSA has responsiblity for enforcement of legislation of MOT rules (ie apply it to individual cases using judgement and interpretation :yay:), just the same as DVLA enforce the VED legislation