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ROAD TAX EVASION - HAVE YOUR SAY
MAG is encouraging all bikers to have their say about road tax evasion.
Motorcyclists have until the 9th August 2002 to respond to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) consultation paper on the evasion of motorcycle
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
The invitation to comment on VED evasion was launched in May this year. The Motorcycle Action Group has waited to publish its recommended response until now,
initially consulting active members in over 130 local MAG groups throughout the UK.
MAG recommends that all off road machines be required to be registered.
MAG recommends the adoption of a “sticky licence” system with a tax disc adhered to the number plate as in other European countries.
According to the DVLA, motorcyclists have the highest level of evasion despite enjoying the lowest rates of duty. According to the DVLA a staggering 265,000
vehicles representing 24.8% of motorcycles currently on the road, are unlicensed.
Clive Bennett, DVLA Chief Executive said, "The collection of vehicle excise duty not only provides an important source of Government revenue, but has
important safety objectives too. The keeper of any motorcycle over three years old must produce a valid MOT certificate and proof of insurance to renew a tax disc. A taxed vehicle is more likely to be roadworthy and
less likely to present a risk to other road users."
The online document is available on the DVLA web site at
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/public/consult/mcycle_evasion_ved/reduction_mcycle_evasi
on_ved.htm#2
The online form to complete is at Annex A http://www.dvla.gov.uk/public/consult/mcycle_evasion_ved/mcycle__ved_annexa.ht
m
If you require a paper version of the consultation paper you can contact Debra Harris, Motorcycle Enforcement Consultation, Enforcement Business Planning,
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea Vale 2, Sandringham Park, Swansea SA7 OEU. Or telephone 0870 6001016 Fax 01792 765147
The DVLA recognises that tax discs are sometimes stolen to display on other vehicles which encourages many motorcyclists to carry their discs in their wallets
rather than displaying them. The DVLA maintain however that their evasion rates are calculated by means of on-road surveys in which registration numbers are compared to taxation records.
Doubt has been cast upon the accuracy of DVLA records.
Motorcyclists are also stopped unnecessarily, as it is not always easy to spot a tax disc on motorcycles being displayed in different places.
The DVLA says it needs to keep accurate records to help address the theft issue and assist the recovery of stolen motorcycles.
The DVLA also operates a voluntary scheme for all owners of purely off road machines to register their motorcycles so that the VIN (Vehicle Identification
Number) is centrally recorded. In the event of the machine being stolen and subsequently recovered, this enables it to be reunited with the owner.
There is an increasing incidence of off road motorcycles being used for criminal activity or creating a nuisance.
CONSULTATION ON REDUCING EVASION OF MOTORCYCLE VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY (VED)
MAG suggested answers.
Q1
Are you prepared to allow your response or name to be quoted or made available to the public? Yes X No
Q2
Should we adopt a "sticky licence" system adhered to the numberplate? Yes X No
Comments
- The "sticky licence" should be constructed with an adhesive backing so that it would disintegrate or fragment if attempted to be removed. This
removes the risk of theft or transfer for use on other classes of vehicles.
- With adequate enforcement fraudulent use of a stolen numberplate with a “sticky licence” transferred to another motorcycle would be pose a greater risk of
detection to thieves compared to the use of a stolen tax disc.
- The positioning on the numberplate will assist the police and traffic wardens in identifying the licensing status of the vehicle for enforcement purposes.
- The licence could be year coloured and contain the expiry month the same as the present tax disc system.
- Security features on the “sticky licence” could be introduced e.g. a holographic picture the same as credit cards that would restrict any possible
counterfeiting.
- Method of relicensing should remain with the Post Office/Local Office as at present and would lend itself to electronic relicensing at a future date
- No additional costs should be incurred in adopting this system.
- There should be no need to increase the minimum size of the numberplate. Sweden has a similar system using a rectangular “sticky licence” numberplates are
a similar size if not smaller that the present UK numberplate.
- A paper counterfoil displaying all relevant information the registration mark, check digit, make/model of motorcycle name of keeper should be issued as a
receipt of purchase to be retained by the owner to allow for refunds.
Q3
Should we adopt a "sticky licence" system adhered to the licence holder suitably placed on the rear of the motorcycle? Yes No X
Comments
A "sticky licence" system adhered to the licence holder suitably placed on the rear of the motorcycle would be no improvement on the present system.
Q4
Should we use the numberplate as proof of licensing (laminate licensing details into the plate) and renew the numberplate on relicensing? Yes No X
Comments
- This would make numberplates more expensive requiring the numberplate to be changed every time a vehicle was relicenced.
- The numberplate would need to be surrendered for a refund. I support the present refund system but would like to see an amendment to refund precisely
pro-rata from the date of receipt by DVLA of a surrendered disc, rather than a refund for whole months as at present.
- Numberplates would need to be disposed in an environmentally friendly manner.
- Wasteage of materials in manufacturing numberplates every time a vehicle was relicenced.
- Pressed aluminium plates used for classic machines do not lend themselves to laminated numberplates.
Q5
Should all off road motorcycles be registered? Yes X No
Comments
- I would support the suggestion that the voluntary scheme for all owners of purely off road machines to register their motorcycles so that the VIN (Vehicle
Identification Number) is centrally recorded be extended to a requirement.
- As identified by the DVLA there is an increasing incidence of off road motorcycles being used for criminal activity. In the event of the machine being
stolen, and subsequently recovered, this could enable off road motorcycles to be reunited with the owner.
- Education should be combined with enforcement to off road motorcycle users creating a nuisance and causing criminal damage in public places such as parks.
- The definition of an off road motorcycle for the purpose of the scheme should be extended to include motorcycles that are designed specifically for racing
on tarmac e.g. short circuit racing.
Q6 Do you have any other suggestions or comments on the issues raised in this document?
Yes X No
Comments
The “sticky licence” system as outlined in question two should be extended to all vehicles that require road tax.
I would oppose any change that will result in extra VED costs to motorcyclists.
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