Q As well as being a country haulier I am also
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a farmer and propose to relegate one of my older haulage vehicles exclusively to farm work. If I do so, can I claim exemption from road fund licence fees and if so can I claim a refund on the unexpired portion of the existing road fund licence? Will the driver of the then farm vehicle have to told an hgv licence to drive it?
A Provided the vehicle used exclusively on farm work, travels on public roads only to pass from one piece of your land to another — say, from your farmyard to your fields — and the total road distance involved does not exceed six miles in a week, you can claim exemption from vehicle Excise duty under Section 7(1) of the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971.
If you are able to fulfil these conditions and your claim for exemption from Excise duty is upheld, then you will be able to claim a refund on the unexpired portion of the existing road fund licence.
Moreover, the driver will not need to hold an hgv driving licence. Exemption from this requirement is contained in Regulation 28 (j) of the Heavy Goods Vehicles (Drivers' Licences) Regulations 1969 for drivers of vehicles exempted from cise duty by virtue of Sec 6(6) of the Vehicles (Exc Act 1962 (now Section ' of the 1971 Act)