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LGV schools facing full VED

2nd March 1995, Page 11
2nd March 1995
Page 11
Page 11, 2nd March 1995 — LGV schools facing full VED
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by Miles Brignall • Dozens of LGV driving schools face closure following a warning that they could have to pay full vehicle excise duty of up to ,E5,000 per truck—possibly from the end of the year.

The schools say they cannot afford to pay more VED than the current rate of £185 per truck. The Government is reviewing the concessionary VED rate and plans to issue a consultative document to look into the rules governing the pulling of unladen trailers "later this year" (CM 16-22 February). The consultation could also result in driving schools having to apply for 0-licences.

Nick Smith, managing director of West Thurrock-based training school Roadtrain and regional director of the Association of Vocational Driver Training Providers, says his 70 members have already started to campaign against the possibility of their VED concession being removed: "It is contrary to natural justice because it would hit the unemployed, so there might be a case for a judicial review." The association has already written to Transport Secretary Brian Maw hinney, the Driver Standards Agency and Employment Secretary Michael Portillo.

It has warned them that imposing full VED rates would be ridiculous as the vehicles are unladen and thus cause much less damage to roads than fully laden 38-tonne trucks.

Smith adds that if training schools were forced to apply for 0-licences it would be a "logistical, legislative nightmare".


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