Free tax disc but do not apply too soon!

This note describes the difficulties experienced with an application for a tax class change and a NIL value tax disc made by the V8 Webmaster. As a case study it highlights confusion at DVLA over processing these applications. Our recommendation is applications should not be made until on or after 17th March 2014 to avoid a "bounce back" of your application and supporting documents.

See our earlier NEWS items on VED exemption extension and the application process. More















Posted: 140305

The procedure for applying for both a tax class change from PLG to Historic and a NIL value tax disc for an eligible car to apply from 1st April 2014 is proving to be difficult. My application made with a V10, V5C, MOT and insurance certificates and a Heritage certificate went off to DVLA by registered post on 21st February 2014. To my surprise the whole package of documents was returned and received by post today (5th March 2014) with the extraordinary covering letter below. Naturally I telephoned DVLA and after some 10 minutes navigating a variety of options and having to restart the telephone process twice, I got through to a lady who said the application for a tax class change to Historic had been made too soon even though my covering letter specifically mentioned the application was for the period from 1st April 2014! She recommended sending the whole package again on 17th March 2014. So any fellow members with eligible classic car anticipating a large volume of tax exempt applications might cause a holdup so make an early application need to wait and send the application to DVLA on 17th March 2014 That will .avoid the "bounce back" response used by some DVLA tax disc processing staff.
How to make an application for a tax class change to Historic and a NIL value tax disc
To change the taxation class to "Historic" you will need to obtain a DVLA road tax application form V10 and complete the details ensuring you state the car is "Historic" in the section for the tax class. You will also need your red V5C (UK Registration Certificate) and in section 7 Changes to Current Vehicle you need to enter "Historic" in the taxation class box (see below). You will see in the footnote that "the tax class shown in section 4 can only be changed when taxing. Please apply to your nearest DVLA local office". The DVLA local offices closed at the end of 2013 so the applications now go to DVLA Swansea. Your application will also need to enclose your current MOT certificate and certificate of motor insurance. If your car was registered after 31st December 1973 but built before that date then you will also need to provide evidence of the build date.

What evidence can I provide as proof of the build date?
Our recommended document is a Heritage certificate issued by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) at Gaydon which holds the MG production archives. In an earlier contact with the archivist at the BMHIT he indicated that the date accepted by DVLA as the "built" date for a Factory MGBGTV8 is the "Date through paint finishing". This date is shown on the Heritage certificates that BMIHT produces with the production numbers and data for individual cars. Those Heritage certificates bear the BMIHT seal to authenticate them. Details of the various Heritage certificates and how you can purchase one online are available in the Archive Services section of the BMIHT website.

How can I get a preliminary indication of whether my car was manufactured before 1st January 1974?
We can provide an indication of the "build date" for your MGBGTV8 from a handmade copy of the Factory production control records made by the late Geoff Allen in the last weeks before the MG Plant finally closed as he was concerned the original records might be binned and lost for ever. As it was a handwritten copy we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data in every case but so far, from the checks made comparing that data with the information on several Heritage certificates from BMHIT Gaydon, there were no signs of serious variances in key dates like the "Date through paint finishing". So for the modest charge of only £5 you can buy a Factory records search for your V8 online on our V8 Grapevine website. Link

Extraordinary covering letter dated 26th February 2014 from DVLA with the return of my documents
The letter I received said:
"Thank you for your application to tax your vehicle in the historic tax class.
Your vehicle cannot be taxed in the historic class because:
> It has been given a "Q" registration number and cannot be taxed in the historic tax class. A "Q" registration number is given to a vehicle when the date of the vehicle was manufactured could not be established.
> Only vehicles manufactured before 1st January 1973 qualify for the historic tax class.

Naturally I telephoned DVLA and a lady said the reply I had received mentioning my car "given a "Q" registration number was not correct" and that it was a mistake. She recommended the application be made again on 17th March 2014 and addressed to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BA.

When you visit the DVLA website you find on their webpage "Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax" that they state very clearly - "Historic vehicles - You don't have to pay vehicle tax on vehicles made before 1 January 1974 (known as 'historic vehicles')." Webpage
V8 Register - MG Car Club - the leading group for MG V8 enthusiasts at www.v8register.net