20 November 2001

MOTOR TAX REBATES FOR LORRIES

DOE has announced that the method used to calculate the rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (Motor Tax) payable on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) will change from 1 December 2001.

This means that some hauliers will pay less and all will have increased flexibility to operate their vehicles within fewer specific tax bands.

Ann McCabe of DOE Driver Vehicle Licensing NI said: " When the new system is introduced, the number of HGV taxation bands will be reduced from over fifty, to seven. Under this new system hauliers can choose which band to operate and licence in.

"An information leaflet will accompany motor tax reminder forms for HGV vehicles due to be re-licensed from 1st December 2001.

"Within the new broader taxation bands, hauliers will have the flexibility to change the weight and axle configuration of their lorries without having to re-licence their vehicles."

Information Leaflets (INS 148 (NI)) are available at all DVLNI offices and Driver Vehicle Testing Agency Centres. Drivers can also contact one of the Haulage Associations or contact DVLNI by one of the following means:

Telephone DVLNI Vehicle Enquiry Section on 028 7034 1461;
Minicom (for those with hearing difficulties) 028 7034 1351;
e-mail dvlni@doeni.gov.uk
visit the website http://www.dvlni.gov.uk

All motor tax reminder forms for Heavy Goods Vehicles, issued from mid November, will have an information leaflet (INS 148 (NI)) enclosed. This will fully explain the re-structuring process.

• The tables below outline the new ‘banding’ scheme.

Lorry VED Band	New Standard Rates 12 mths 6mths	New RPV Rates 12mths 6mths
A	£165 £90.75	£160 £88.00
B	£200 £110.00	£160 £88.00
C	£450 £247.50	£210 £115.50
D	£650 £357.50	£280 £154.00
E	£1200 £660.00	£700 £385.00
F	£1500 £825.00	£1000 £550.00
G	£1850 £1017.50	£1350 £742.50

• VED Bands for rigid lorries

Vehicle	2 axles	3 axles	4 axles
Not over 7.5t	A	A	A
Not over 15t	B	B	B
Not over 21t*	D	B	B
Not over 23t	-	C	B
Not over 25t	-	D	C
Not over 27t*	-	D	D
Not over 32t	-	-	E

• Trailer VED (used with rigid lorries only)

Trailer Weight	Standard Rate of VED 12mths 6mths
Up to 4000 kg’s	No Duty Payable
4001kg’s – 12000kg’s	£160 £88.00
12001 kg’s and over	£220 £121.00

*NB The vehicle weights shown are those in the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 and may not be the permissible vehicle weight in construction and use terms.

• VED Bands for 2 axle tractive lorries

Vehicle	1 or more axle trailer	2 or more axle trailer	3 or more axle trailer
Not over 25t	A	A	A
Not over 28t	C	A	A
Not over 31t	D	D	A
Not over 34t	E	E	C
Not over 38t	F	F	E
Not over 44t	G	G	G

• VED Bands for 3 axle tractive lorries

Vehicle	1 or more axle trailer	2 or more axle trailer	3 or more axle trailer
Not over 28t	A	A	A
Not over 31t	C	A	A
Not over 33t	E	C	A
Not over 34t	E	D	A
Not over 36t	E	D	C
Not over 38t	F	E	D
Not over 44t	G	G	E

The weight and axle configuration you wish to use will determine the band and rate of duty payable.

For further information, contact DOE press Office Tel 028 9054 0003.