Views on recovery class
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OPPOSING responses to the Department of Transport's proposals for a separate recovery vehicle taxation class have appeared with the Freight Transport Association supporting them and the Motor Agents Association pleading for no change.
The FTA said it supported the concept of the DTp scheme (CM,. July 9), as all-year operation of trade plated vehicles was probably never envisaged when the present licensing arrangements were agreed.
It has asked for clarification of whether vehicles under 1,525kg would be taxed as recovery vehicles or as private/light goods, and it also wants rigid vehicles used for recovery, and which are not classed in the trade plate category at present, to be included in the new recovery category.
The MAA has told the DTp that it wants the existing trade plate system to be retained, but if there is to be a change then it wants the excise duty rate to be kept as low as possible and not to be as high as that for general goods vehicles.
An MAA spokesman explained that as its members' vehicles are run for much lower mileages than other lorries, it would be unfair to have them taxed at the same rate.
The Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators and the Automobile Association have still to make public their views.