Q I run a lorry classified as a works
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truck on motorway construction. This vehicle is required to make short journeys varying from crossing a public road to possibly travelling as far as a mile or so along a highway. Will this vehicle require plating, also would you tell me if it could be run on red diesel?
Finally, could this vehicle be used to haul materials from a quarry to a mixing plant under the classification of works truck?
AThe definition of a works truck is as
follows: "Designed for use in private premises and used on public roads only for carrying goods between such premises and a vehicle on a road in the immediate vicinity, or in passing from one part of any such premises to another or to other private premises in the immediate vicinity, or in connection with road works while at or in the immediate vicinity of the site of such works."
The word designed in the definition is very important and we feel that a normal lorry would not qualify as a works truck. If the local taxation authority has accepted your vehicle as a works truck, it will be exempt from excise duty provided it travels not more than six miles on public roads in a week. If it covers more than the six miles in a week the full goods vehicle tax must be paid. The vehicle will be exempt from the testing and plating regulations.
As regards use of duty-free diesel (red diesel or gas oil), this is only allowed in vehicles on the public highway "within the immediate vicinity of the site-. From our inquiries it would appear that any distance over 100yd or so would not be within the immediate vicinity of the site.
The vehicle could be used to haul materials from a quarry to a mixing plant without being taxed provided it definitely qualifies as a works truck and provided the six miles in a week is not exceeded.