Classic cars to receive '100 percent discount' for new car tax fees set to launch in days
CLASSIC CARS over 40 years old will be exempt from new car tax changes set to launch within days.
'Clean air zone' plans mean diesel drivers could face charges
Historic vehicles which have a tax exemption class will not need to pay Oxford’s new Zero Emissions Zone charge set to launch on February 28. It means owners of polluting classic cars will not face the hefty £10 daily fee which will be slapped on petrol and diesel owners for entering the zone next week.
Oxford City Council confirmed “historic vehicles” were under the list of exempted models.
In a previous statement, the council confirmed there would be a 100 percent discount for vehicles with “historic tax classes”.
They said: “In line with London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, we are currently proposing a 100 percent discount for vehicles with historic tax classes (i.e. historic vehicles which qualify for vehicle tax exemption).
“Non-exempt vehicles will be allowed entry through payment of the charge if they are not zero emission.”
READ MORE: Residents may not be able to get exemptions ahead of car tax changes
However, drivers will need a Government historic tax exemption in order to escape the fees.
This allows drivers to stop paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) on their cars and applies to most new Clean Air Zones.
To be eligible, vehicles must have been built before January 1, 1981.
If drivers do not know why the vehicle was built they can still make a claim if the car was registered before January 8.
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Cars will not be exempt from vehicle tax if it is used for hire or reward such as a taxi.
It may also not be exempt if the model is used commercially for a trade or business.
GOV.UK warns drivers must still apply for a vehicle tax exemption to stop paying tax.
This is sometimes called putting a car into a “historic tax class” and means drivers will not be automatically exempt if they don’t go through the application process.
GOV.UK says drivers can apply for a historic tax class exemption through the Post Office.
To apply, motorists will need to take the vehicle logbook or V5c document and a vehicle tax reminder.
An MOT certificate that is valid from when the tax starts should also be included.
The Council has warned their enforcement systems should identify vehicles that are “exempt”.
This means owners of classic cars do not need to do anything else ahead of the rule change if they already have a historic tax class.
They added: “Our enforcement systems should normally identify vehicles that are exempt from charges.
“You can appeal if your vehicle is charged and found later to be exempt.
“Contact us if you have an exempt vehicle and wish to register it for an additional safeguard against it being charged.”