GRITTING RELIEF II We do some work for a local
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council and have been asked if we can provide a vehicle at short notice for snow ploughing and road gritting when bad winter weather arises. We have a vehicle which has been taken out of service and is standing In the yard, and It could be used on this work.
How would we stand regarding road tax, 0-licence and plating and testing? Does a snow plough/gritter driver need an HGV licence?
• A vehicle can be taxed as a special concessionary vehicle under Part 1VA of Schedule 1 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 at an annual rate of .9.40 if it is: a) being used; b) going to or from the place where it is to be or has been used: or c) kept for use, for clearing snow from public roads by means of a snowplough or similar device (whether or not forming part of the vehicle).
A vehicle can also be taxed this way if it is constructed or adapted, and used solely for the conveyance of machinery for spreading material on roads to deal with frost, ice or snow (with or without articles or material used for the purposes of the machinery). Notice the use of the word "solely". This means the vehicle must be confined to this kind of work.
Schedule 3 of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995 provides exemption from operator licensing for a vehicle which is being used for snow clearing, or for the distribution of grit, salt or other materials on frosted, icebound or snowcovered roads, or for going to or from the place where it is used for those purposes, or for any other purpose directly connected with this role.
In relation to plating and testing. Schedule 2 of the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988 exempts from plating and testing a vehicle used solely for either or both (a) clearing frost, ice or snow from roads by means of a snowplough or similar contrivance (whether forming part of the vehicle or not); and (b) spreading material on roads to deal with frost, ice or snow.
However, drivers of snow ploughs and grit spreaders over 7.5 tonnes permissible maximum weight must hold an HGV driving licence.