Motor Vehicles

Car Tax Renewals

On-line renewal should be at done at least one month in advance is the safest option.
Be aware that an on-line renewal is not immediately registered on the Police system.
There have been cases where vehicles have been impounded
and have cost the owners £140 to release their fully taxed vehicles.
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Cut Your Fuel Costs

A free guide is available from Alphabet.  It covers how to find cheaper fuel, how to drive economically,
planning your journey and the argument regarding petrol v diesel.
It is claiamed that hundreds of pounds a year can be saved by following the advise.
Copies available by telephoning 0870 5050100
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Car seats for children

From September 2006 all children up to the height of 4'5" or up to the age of 12 (which ever comes first)
will need to be sat at the correct height for the seat belt, possibly using a seat riser.
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Dipped Headlamps

The European Commission is consodering introducing a law to make the use of dipped healights compulsory by 2010.
UK drivers would be forced to run with their dipped beams switched on whatever the weather conditions.
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Traffic Information on-line

The Highways Agency has launched a new website that gives real-yime traffic information.
There will also be information pointsat 24 Welcome Break motorway service stations.
The website address is: www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
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Traffic Wardens

Traffic Wardens have been told by the Government to be nicer to motorists and not to be so petty.
Parking fines rose to over £1 billion for the first time in 2003-2004
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Fuel Cards

There have been instances where the entries on fuel card invoives are higher in value than the relevant receipts.  Those using fuel cards should be made aware of this possibility and check them at regular intervals.
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Driving Licence Checks

Employers should regularly check the driving licences of staff that use company vehicles as, due to the increase in the number of speed cameras, employees could easily accumulate penalty points and be disqualified from driving.   Insurance policies normally exclude banned drivers

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Phone Ban

The Department of Transport has announced a new offence of using a mobile phone while driving. The new offence will take effect from 1st December 2003 with the fine starting at £30 rising to £1000 for persons taken to court. The offenders will also get three penalty points on their driving licence for each offence. The use of hands free devices will still be legal.

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Working Time Directive

An amendment to the Working Time Directive in August 2003 will lay down ‘adequate rest’ requirements for mobile workers, (company car and van drivers). The Department of Trade and Industry is to consider producing guidance to explain adequate rest.

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Older Vans

There are new proposals by the Inland Revenue that will affect drivers of vans over 4 years old. There is a four point plan to update the current system of taxation for employer provided vans. One of the proposals is to impose a fuel benefit charge if the employer provides fuel for private use and it might be easier for an employee to repay the employer for private use of van.

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Hands Free Phones

Anyone who installs a hands free phone for a vehicle needs to know that any equipment should be marked with an ‘e’ code. This will mean that it is compliant with the Electromagnetic Compatibility in Vehicles Directive — this safeguards other electronic equipment in the car.

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Clampers Licences

Anyone involved in clamping cars or offering towing-away services on private land will, by 2005, have to be licenced. It will then become a criminal offence not to have a licence, which will be issued and vetted by the Security Industry Authority.
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