Owners are urged to respond to a Government consultation that could prove crucial for UK classics
ENTHUSIASTS IN THE UK have a week left to make their opinions felt in a landmark consultation that could have wide-reaching effects on the future of the classic car hobby – and industry – in the UK. A Government ‘Call for Evidence’ regarding the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency) closes on 4 July (easy to remember, it’s the day of the General Election) and the call to arms comes from clubs and representative bodies such as the Federation of British Historic Vehicles and the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance.
The main thrust of the 50-question Call for Evidence announced by Transport Secretary Mark Harper at Bicester Heritage is to solicit views and experiences on how the DVLA registers classic cars in the UK, suggesting potential changes to registering historic, classic, rebuilt, and electrically converted vehicles. The move comes after question marks over the status of classics converted to electric motors (Octane 252), plus a host of foul-ups and misapplication of the current guidelines that has left legitimate classics issued with Q-plates and owners threatened with the loss of their registration numbers for only minor upgrades or replacement parts.
As the HCVA warned, without clarification, anyone restoring, upgrading or enhancing a car is at risk of losing their original registration. Alarmingly, it cited as little as drilling one hole as a potential risk. Losing a historic registration may not sound catastrophic, but it could have far-reaching consequences on insurance, as well as existing tax, MoT and low-emission zone exemptions. Imagine trying to get a no-longer-exempt 50-year-old classic to meet current MoT emissions standards.
Then there is the refusal to issue a registration at all. Octane spoke to one frustrated enthusiast and historic racer who has so far wrangled for more than 18 months to reunite his car with its former registration and put it back on the road after a lengthy restoration. The DVLA has stonewalled the request, insisting that the registration he’s requesting has never previously been issued to any car, despite there being paperwork and a selection of period pictures of this car wearing that number.
On launching the consultation, transport secretary Mark Harper said: ‘The way we restore and protect classic cars has not kept up with the times and evolving technologies, which is why we are calling for industry and enthusiasts to have their say on how to be
