FLAGGING UP THE PROBLEM With reference to [Senior Traffic Commissioner]
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Michael Betts comments on flagging out (CM 14-20 Dec 2000), L have been an owner-driver for 12 years and have just flagged out. Why? The answer is simple:
Road tax/VED at 40 tonnes En Holland is .£1,775 compared with .23,950 in the UK (rebate when?). Insurance in Holland costs 22,900 for truck, CMR, trailer and "open" cover. In the UK the same amount of cover costs £7,500.
I had one claim in the past six years and found my renewal quote ridiculous, I had to make a decision in two weeks and before my UK cover lapsed. What choice have you got? I intend to get a Dutch 0-licence ASAP. Partial flagging out has saved me £6,176 in initial costs. I have only done it out of the necessity to be able to compete in Europe, not for any other reason.
If Mr Betts is implying that operators who flag out are not legitimate I take exception to that. I have only done it to try and compete with European operators.
Get the playing field level and flagging out will stop. When is the message going to get through?
Man Douglas, by e-mail.