Last go at down-lic ?
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OPERATORS ARE being given what could be their last chance of obtaining any down-licensing concession from the Department of Transport.
Following the DTp's rejection of wholesale down-licensing — permitting operators to tax vehicles at their maximum operating weight rather than their plated weight — it is now seeking operators' views on how acceptable a more restrictive system might be (CM. February 25).
It is sticking to its view that it would be impossible to enforce general down-licensing, but it is prepared to consider a scheme restricted to 15 to 26 tonne twoaxle trailers which are operated permanently with top weight tractive units.
The DTp estimates that there are about 10,000 trailers in this weight category, but by no means all of these could qualify for down-licensing as many will be in mixed fleets in which tractive units also work with fully laden trailers.
But it could take in such vehicles as car transporters which have gross operating weights of about 24 tonnes, although they are plated and taxed at 32.5 tonnes because of the superior power outputs of their tractive units. On the other hand, it would not help operators whose trailers are plated at a heavier weight than their operating weight.
To make such a scheme enforceable, it will be necessary for tractive units to be dedicated to lightweight trailer work, and for them to carry conspicuous vehicle excise duty discs.
Neither of the operators` associations has displayed undue excitement over the DTp's proposals.