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The DVLA
had previously said that it was not planning to renew its
contract. The dispute is understood to have been around the
price that Post Office Ltd wanted to charge for the service,
and the amount that DVLA was willing to pay. Says Owen Woodley,
Deputy CEO at the Post Office: "The negotiations haven’t
been easy. Our aim throughout has been to ensure that Postmasters
receive fair remuneration for DVLA transactions and that Post
Office’s associated costs for providing the services
are covered. I’m pleased that we have been able to achieve
this." The new contract will start from 1st April 2024
and is for one year, with an option for a potential further
two, one-year extentions.
The news is especially welcome for the Historic vehicle community
as two services - declaring a vehicle MOT exempt and applying
to change the tax class to the free Historic Vehicle status
can only be done at a Post Office, with no online or postal
alternative.
Under the new contract, customers can choose to visit relevant
branches of the Post Office to tax a vehicle or renew
a 10-year photo card driving licence. Unfortunately, International
Driving Permits (IDP) are not included in the new contract
and are subject to a separate ongoing procurement exercise,
the outcome of which is expected in January 2024.
A spokesperson
from the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters commented: "Vital
services such as the DVLA need to remain within the Post Office
network, and we have to thank everybody who has helped this
decision come to fruition. More than 6 million people use Post
Office network for accessing DVLA services each year, and essential
local and central Government services need to be available to
the general public. The Post Office network is the only infrastructure
able to provide that and government needs to ensure these services
are always available."
For more details, please see the link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-services
Historic Vehicle Tax and MOT
- the '40-year rule'
Please see the FBHVC guidance below - but note that once
your vehicle passes '40 years old' you need to take specific
actions to make changes for both the vehicle road tax (Vehicle
Excise Duty - VED) and MOT, as they do not 'automatically' change.
If you do nothing, you will continue to need to pay VED and
obtain an annual MOT certificate, irrespective of the vehicle's
age.
Also, note that there is not a direct connection between the
criteria for registration in the ‘Historic’ tax class
and hence exemption from VED, and the criteria to be considered
as a Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI) and thus qualify for
MOT exemption. In fact, they are separate situations with no
commonality other than '40 years' and even that is applied differently!
Is my vehicle exempt from vehicle tax?
A vehicle which has attained 40 years age, whilst being test
exempt, will need to continue to pay vehicle excise duty in
the 'private light goods' or other relevant tax class until
April of the following year. You can tax your vehicle in the
'Historic vehicle' tax class from 1st April if your vehicle
is recorded on the V5C registration certificate (log book) as
"first registered" more than 40 years ago (i.e. 1983)
and is one of the qualifying vehicles listed in the DVLA leaflet
INF34. See
INF34
The DVLA allows a few days grace at the year end for "first
registered" dates up to and including 7th January 1984,
to qualify to be tax exempt. Currently, a vehicle "first
registered" on or prior to 7th January 1984, will be classed
by the DVLA as having been built in 1983, therefore it is tax
exempt from 1st April 2024.
DVLA
leaflet INF34 gives further information
How do I apply for vehicle tax exemption?
Apply
at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax
You need to take:
>
Log book (V5C) in your name.
> Your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11), if you
have one.
> MOT certificate that’s valid when the tax
starts, or the completed declaration form if your vehicle
is exempt from an MOT test using DVLA form V112 or V112G (goods)
> Insurance certificate or cover note (only in Northern
Ireland).
While
most Post Office branches are familiar with the process, sometimes
newer staff are not. If so, simply tell the counter clerk
that you wish to change the tax class to 'Historic Vehicle'.
They go into their system, select 'change tax class' and the
system guides them through the process. They will keep the
V5C you hand to them (you will be sent a replacement showing
the new Historic tax class) and they should date-stamp your
V112 and attach the receipt to it and return it to you as
evidence, should you get stopped at the roadside.
In subsequent years a vehicle which is already in the Historic
VED class can be taxed either online or at a post office.
Certain vehicles (principally former commercial vehicles which
are in obsolete tax classes) seem to present a problem for
post offices. In the case of these vehicles it may be necessary
to send the V5C together with forms V10 and V112/V112G/or
a MOT test certificate to the DVLA.
What happens next?
The Post
Office sends your log book to DVLA.
You’ll get a confirmation from DVLA within 10 working
days that the change has been made.
DVLA will send you an updated log book (V5C) within 4 weeks.
You can still use your vehicle while your application is being
processed. You will get a refund (by cheque) of any remaining
full months of unexpired tax on a pro rata basis.
Is
my vehicle exempt from MOT?
Vehicles generally become eligible for MOT exemption from
the date they become 40 years old. If your vehicle (car/motorcycle/bus)
has not been substantially altered according to the
Department for Transport Guidance, it will be exempt from
MOT. However, it is your responsibility to ensure it is kept
fully roadworthy.
How do I exempt my vehicle from MOT? (cars/motorcycles/buses)
This is a self-declaration process to be carried out as part
of annual licensing by DVLA by a keeper of a qualifying vehicle
who does not wish to submit the vehicle to an MOT test. By
making this simple declaration you are confirming that your
vehicle is at least 40 years old and has not been substantially
changed.
If your vehicle is eligible for MOT exemption you do not
have to self declare it if you wish to continue having an
annual MOT test. Many classic car owners feel it is prudent
to continue having an annual test to ensure the vehicle is
checked to be roadworthy. More
If
your previous MOT has expired, you only need to declare your
vehicle as MOT exempt at the point of taxation in one of the
following two ways:
>
Visit your Post Office with a completed V112 or V112G (for
goods vehicles) form
or
> Tax your vehicle online using the number on the
renewal notice mailed to you by DVLA. https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax
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