DTp rigid on downplating
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OPERATORS will get no reprieve from the Department of Transport if they cannot have their 38-tonne tractive units downplated to 32.5 tonnes before May 1 — even if heavy goods vehicle test stations are overloaded.
There is a once-and-for-all chance for operators to downplate vehicles before May 1 (CM, April 2) and avoid being faced with automatic increases in vehicle excise duty to the new rate, but the DTp is insisting that these vehicles should be replated before May 1.
It is refusing to bend the rules at all, even if test stations find now that they cannot accommo date vehicles for tests until after May 1. According to a spokesman, they have had sufficient time to arrange the replating.
He advised them to shop around for less busy test stations and see whether these can accommodate the extra flow of vehicles.
The DTp feels the industry has left replating until far too near the implementation date and that it will pay the penalty accordingly, but many companies were waiting for last month's Budget before making a final decision.
Operators should also declare an up-plating when it takes place and it is their responsibility to pay the increased vehicle excise duty then.
While this is the official position, there are fears in some quarters that operators will be able to avoid paying the increased rate unless they are detected by enforcement authorities, and will be able to score an unfair advantage over law-abiding operators.
• While drawbar vehicle operators are unable to take advantage of increased gross weights from May 1, there is a relatively unpublicised increase in the gross weight of drawbar trailers.
This goes up from 16.25 tonnes to 18 tonnes, although the gross weight remains at 32.5 tonnes for the combination. This reduces the risk of overloading.