LICENSING
Page 30
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
N EW TAX CLASS FOR WRECKERS • From 1 January 1988 recovery operators with vehicles which are used only to recover disabled vehicles by lifting, towing or transporting them, will have to pay £27.50 or £50 (six months or one year) to license them in the new Recovery Vehicle taxation class, at a Vehicle Registration Office (VRO) — not at a post office.
Recovery vehicles may not be used under trade plates after 31 December but may be licensed in another category (such as HGV) if they will also be used for non-recovery work.
Operators may still be eligible for a trade licence if they are involved in other motor trading activities like dealing, repairing and fitting accessories.
Operators working under a trade licence whose vehicles have never been registered should obtain form V55/5 from a VRO and submit applications from 1 December 1987. New licences will then be issued with age-related registration numbers by 1 January 1988. If a vehicle was previously registered, but not with the DVLC an application should be made on form V55/5, but the registration number will have to be replaced with an age-related number.
If a vehicle was previously registered with the DVLC but is not currently licensed, operators should apply on form V10 at a VRO, enclosing a registration document V5. Applications will be accepted from 1 December 1987 onwards and licenses issued by 1 January 1988.
If a vehicle is already registered and is licenced in another taxation class operators may continue to licence in that class if the vehicle is also to be used for purposes other than recovering vehicles, but it is restricted to recovery work operators may either exchange an existing licence for one in the new recovery class or may apply for a refund on an existing licence and reticence in a new class. If a licence expires on 31 December 1987 form V10 should be used at a VRO.
Under the new licencing system applicants will need the following documents: D Testing: If your vehicle is subject to Goods Vehicle Plating and Testing you must produce a valid Test Certificate and Plating Certificate. If it is less than 1,525kg unladen weight, however, you may need a valid MOT certificate. If your vehicle is exempt from the Goods Vehicle Plating and Testing Regulations 1982 (as a 'Breakdown Vehicle), you will need to complete a declaration form available at a VRO at the time of licensing.
0 Insurance: A current Certificate of Insurance.
0 Fee: The fee is £50 for a 12-month licence; £27.50 for a six-month licence.
0 National Type Approval: New vehicles registered and licenced from 1 January 1988 will require a National Type Approval (NTA) certificate. Vehicles that are not new and have been used before 1 January 1988 will be specifically exempted.
0 Evidence of Registration: Either a V5 or an old log book should be presented (if available).