Government asks classic car owners for help with future tax plans

The Government wants classic car owners to have their say on potential changes to registering historic, classic, rebuilt and electrically-converted vehicles.

The aim is to streamline the process for registering restored classics and avoid aficionados being given a dreaded Q-plate by the DVLA following a tireless restoration or conversion to electric power.

Outgoing transport secretary Mark Harper has issued the ‘call for evidence’ to gather proposals on how historic vehicle regulations can be brought into the 21st century, while also prioritising road safety and retaining accurate vehicle records.

Described as "an opportunity for classic car enthusiasts and the motoring industry to have their say", the minister says that how the UK restores and protects classic cars has not kept up with the times and evolving technologies.

Policies on how classic cars are registered after being restored and upgraded have not changed since the 1980s "and do not account for improving historic vehicles with modern technology".

Potential changes could include making it easier to register vehicles to fully recognise their value while protecting prospective buyers and modifying classic cars to both improve their performance plus retrofit them with electric powertrains.

The aim is to help support the UK’s classic car sector and industry, which is worth £18 billion a year.

The current system requires owners to navigate a complex series of DVLA forms. However, since the DVLA closed its 39 local offices a decade ago, extensive knowledge of classic cars within the organisation has been lost.

This has caused classic car owners numerous problems – and in the worst cases, seen owners of legitimate classics being issued with Q-plates. The industry is also highly critical of frequent lengthy delays with the DVLA.

Mark Harper announced the call for evidence at an Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) event. Its executive director Guy Lachlan said the DVLA’s current system "treats restoration and rebuilding of historic vehicles as having a negative impact on their historical record and UK registration, a misconception that must be corrected."

Harper says that maintaining the same registration number is a vital part of the history of the UK’s vehicles and is a viewpoint consistent with those applied to historic buildings, fine art and other protected heritage industries.

He said the Government’s call for evidence comes after three years of tireless work by the HVCA, but warned classic car enthusiasts not to sit on their hands during the eight-week consultation period.

"The more responses we get, the better, as that demonstrates to government how important this is," he adds.

Interested parties have until 4 July to submit their evidence, either in written form or via an online form.