AB 1 Number Plate
A former chief constable has bought the first number plate AB 1 issued to the county after a police boss put the number plate up for sale.
The West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion faced a backlash from ex-officers after he decided to sell the cherished AB 1 number plate to raise money for police funds.
Mr Campion said the car number plate had not been used for six years for security reasons and said the force was unlikely to use the car number plate on any of its vehicles in the future. His decision however sparked an angry backlash from several former police officers including Alan Matthews who launched a petition against the sale and which attracted 895 supporters.
The AB 1 cherished car registration number was traditionally displayed on the staff cars of the Worcestershires chief constables.
Paul West a former West Mercia Police chief constable has reassured retired officers that the piece of police heritage is safe in his possession.
It has been reported that Mr West purchased the AB 1 Cherished car registration number for £160,000 despite estimates that it was worth between £225,000 and £275,000.
‘I strongly opposed the sale’ he said and once I knew it was back on the open market we made a decision within the family and we decided we had to buy it.
The former chief constable said he is looking forward to once again driving around in a car which uses the historic car number plate. He also said that he will not sell the cherished number plate during his lifetime and that he will pass it onto his family when he dies.
Remember if you are looking for a cherished or personalised car number plate then search through our millions of number online via our website home page or alternatively contact one of our experienced sales staff on 0116 235 0116.
Numberplate woes solved
DVLA amends their website to incorporate rules that were implemented 2 years ago.
The DVLA ‘s website had an outdated page offering incorrect information to millions of classic car owners in the UK, this has now been amended even though the rules were implemented 2 years ago.
The DVLA had quietly announced that the legislation relating to historic vehicle number plates was now applied on the same basis as rolling tax exemption, yet their website had still not been updated with this information until last week.
Until the changes had been amended the website still stated that ‘All vehicles manufactured after 1.1.1973 must display number plates of reflex-reflecting material’ and that ‘Vehicles constructed before 1.1.1973 may display traditional black and white plates’.
The DVLA have now replaced the outdated information and the website now has the correct information showing which reads: Since April 2016 vehicles manufactured before 1st January 1976 can display the older style number plates.
Speeding Fines – New Rules are you Aware?
Back In March 2017 a Trio of new Motoring Laws came in.
The first one was regarding the use of Mobile Phones Behind The Wheel.
Anyone caught using one was immediately fined £200 and given 6 penalty points. The new legislation did not only affect using a mobile phone but also the use of any internet device behind the wheel.
The second was Child Car Seat Regulations.
Cushion booster seats will now be restricted to older children only. The change in the regulation means that any child under 4.1 feet tall and less than 3.5 stone in weight must use a child seat with a back instead of a backless booster cushion, however children must continue to use an appropriate child seat until they are either 4.4 feet tall or 12 years old.
The reason is that backless car seats offer far less protection in the event of a collision, particularly in the event of a side-on crash, and could end up proving fatal to younger or smaller children.
Anyone caught not using an appropriate child seat for their car will be faced with a £100 fine, however it should be noted that the new law only applies to seats which are purchased after March 1st 2017.
The third new Motoring Law was regarding Speeding Fines.
Under the new rules, which were actually introduced on April 24th 2017, drivers can be charged up to 175% of their weekly wage. There is a cap of £1000 on minor speeding offences or up to £2500 for major ones.
A three band system will determine the severity of an offence and corresponds to different charges.
These charges are calculated on a percentage basis. A minor offence constitutes a Band A charge.
Band A charges are for drivers who exceed the stated speed limit between 1 and 10mph. So, if a driver travels 31mph up to 40mph in a 30mph zone, they can be charged between 25% and 75% of their weekly income.
Drivers who exceed the stated speed limit by 11mph up to 20mph will be charged between 75% and 125% of their weekly wage.
Major offences, which are for speed limit breaches of up to 22mph and above will be charged between 125% and 175% of their weekly wage.
In addition to the above variable fees for speeding offences, motorists could also receive between 3 and 6 penalty points.
Classic Cars – T Charge Emissions Surcharge – update
Back in a blog post in July 2016 we told you about the proposed new emissions surcharge for tax exempt classic cars for central London.
As from Autumn 2017 tax exempt classic cars will not have to pay the £10 London Emissions Surcharge otherwise known as the ‘Toxicity Charge’ or ‘T Charge’, drivers of non-compliant cars will have to find the extra funds – billed Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm from October 23rd 2017. Charging will not take place on Bank Holidays or during the festive period from Christmas Day to New Year’s day,
In a decision which has been welcomed by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) vehicles taxed as ‘historic’ under rolling 40 year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) will only pay the Congestion Charge which is £11.50 (for cars) to enter Central London.
Owners of so called ‘modern classics’ will be hit by the Emissions Surcharge. Any car built before 2005 (Euro 4) emissions standard will be liable for the standard Central London Congestion Charge (£11.50 for cars) plus the new T Charge (£10).
To see the full T Charge/Emissions Surcharge Data go to the Transport for London (TfL) website
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/emissions-surcharge?cid=emissions-surcharge
DVLA – adding missing car marques at last.
The DVLA has caved in to pressure from classic car owners and is starting to add missing car marques on to it’s online database.
If you remember we informed you of this issue back in July 2016 whereby the DVLA website was missing 43 marques on it’s online database.
Research reveals that owners and prospective buyers for previously missing marques such as Alvis, Allard, DeLorean, Crossley and Standard can now finally look up MoT history, tax and insurance data using the DVLA’s online service. And just in time too; as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is urging classic car owners to check MoT details online after admitting that the paper versions are vulnerable to forgery. Most buyers accept paper MoT’s at face value but there are cloned and clocked vehicles so now you can check online so buyers don’t have to be so trusting.
Starting from the beginning of May the online Vehicle Enquiry Service will also be updated so owners will no longer have to look up records.
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), however confirmed that the changes to registering classics or making changes to the V5C online have not been made yet. Geoff Lancaster FBHVC communications director explains; What you cannot do is enter a model name which does not have a V55/5 code. If you do not include a model name in a registration form, the DVLA may pull the model and make boxes correctly shown in the paper form into the just the make field in the online database. We think we have persuaded them to stop this. The FBHVC’s recommendation to those making new applications for registrations, particularly in respect of older overseas vehicles which are not likely to have relevant codes, is to not complete the ‘model’ portion of the V55/5.
Number Plate News – New Vehicle Tax Rates 1st April 2017
Well there is now less than a month to go until the new system of calculating vehicle tax rates comes into force.
Although most people associate April 1st as being April Fools Day, this is the date that the DVLA introduces the new vehicle tax rates.
This change will not affect everyone as it only applies to brand new cars and some motorhomes that are registered with DVLA on or after 1st April 2017
The rates explained
Vehicle tax for the first year is based on CO2 emissions. After the first year the amount of vehicle tax that needs to be paid depends on the type of vehicle.
£140 a year for petrol or diesel vehicles
£130 a year for alternative fuel vehicles (hybrids, LPG and bioethanol)
£0 a year for vehicles with Zero CO2 emissions
If a vehicle has a list price of more than £40,000 the rate of vehicle tax is based on the CO2’s for the first year.
After the first year the rate depends on the type of vehicle (petrol, diesel, alternative fuel or zero emissions) and an additional rate of £310 a year for the next 5 years.
After those 5 years the vehicle will then be taxed at one of the standard rates of £140, £130, or £0 depending on the vehicle type.
Number Plate News – Using your phone whilst Driving – New Law from 1/3/2017
Today marks the first day of March and it also brings in a new law regarding using your mobile phone.
As from today if you are caught using it whilst behind the wheel you will be fined £200 and given 6 penalty points.
If you are a new driver and have had your licence less than 2 years you could also face an immediate ban.
Previously the fixed penalty fine was £30 but in 2007 the fine was raised to £60. It was raised again to £100 in 2013 and this new legislation see’s the fine increased to £200.
The number of penalty points that you received used to be 3 but this new government legislation has increased it to 6 and as new drivers are only given 6 points for the first 2 years, if they are caught using their mobile phones now behind the wheel they will lose their licence as it will be an instant ban.
Previously in some police force areas, motorists could avoid the points by taking a remedial driving course.
The reason behind this new law is because of the numerous fatalities and incidents caused whilst drivers are distracted while using their mobile phones/devices.
The Department of Transport figures show that there were 492 accidents in Britain in 2014 where a driver was distracted or impaired whilst using their mobile phones. In the past 10 years more than 200 people have been killed by drivers distracted by their phones/devices and the mobile phone was a contributory factor in 43 fatal accidents in 2014 alone.
So when you get in your car, as from today programme the Sat Nav put the phone away, remember the call or text can wait and be done when you have stopped driving and have parked up safely.
Stay safe and keep others safe when you are on the road. Is that call or text really worth it?
DON’T DO IT!
Number Plate News – Classics on SORN may have to be insured
A new ruling by the European Court of Justice means that Classic Car Owners may have to insure their cars even when they are being stored or repaired off the road.
The Department for Transport has launched a consultation following a ruling in favour of Damijan Vnuk, a Slovenian man who was injured when knocked off a ladder by a trailer attached to a tractor in a barn. It has set the European legal precedent that vehicles – including Classic Cars currently registered as SORN, Statutory Off Road Notification – need to be insured even when on private land. Andrew Jones MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport says he has serious misgivings about the rulings implications.
Under the current system, classic owners don’t have to insure their car or pay road tax as SORN is registered with the DVLA. Changes to the law in 2013 meant that Historic Vehicles for which owners don’t pay road tax for – must be insured even when they are off the road. But unless the Government changes its interpretation of the Motor Insurance Directive then cars that are off the road and classed as SORN will have to be covered too.
Governments Options
Every vehicle on SORN must always have insurance in place. The Department for Transport believes that this is ‘onerous’ and actually goes beyond what the Vnuk judgement requires.
Any SORN vehicle which is used on private land must have insurance in place. This meets the requirements of the court case, but the government hasn’t stipulated what constitutes ‘use’.
Amending the EU’s Motor Insurance Directive altogether, meaning a vehicle would only need compulsory insurance if its used on land to which the public has access. If a classic on SORN is being used on public land the owner would be committing an offence, as is the case now.
The Department for Transport’s prefferred option, but potentially would require a new Act of Parliament to enact it.
Cherished Number Plates – Perfect Xmas Gift
Well there are now only 9 days to go until Christmas Day. Still not got that gift for that certain someone? Well what better than giving them their own personalised gift that they can keep forever.
Our personalised car number plates start from as little as £25 plus vat and £80 ct fee. There is still time to buy and to have the number plate transferred so it is all registered to the vehicle for Christmas Day or alternatively you can have the cherished number plate supplied on a retention certificate that is valid for up to 10 years.
If you would like to purchase a cherished number plate for that special person in your life or for a family member then give us a call on 0116 235 0116 where we will be happy to help or alternatively browse through our huge database of cherished car number plates, we are sure there will be something for you.
Whatever you decide we hope that you have a safe and Happy Christmas 2016.
Dangerous Drivers who kill could face life sentences
Under new plans that have been put forward by ministers Dangerous Drivers who kill are set to face life sentences.
Dangerous Drivers who cause death by their reckless driving, speeding, street racing or distracted by using a mobile phone could now be treated in a similar way to those who are charged with manslaughter.
These plans also apply to people who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Ministry of Justice wants your views on this proposal on whether the current maximum penalties should be increased.
You can give your views by February 1st 2017 by logging onto:
https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/driving-offences-causing-death-or-serious-injury/
Other proposals include:
creating a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving with a maximum sentence of 3 years
increasing minimum driving bans of those convicted of causing death
In 2015, 122 people were sentenced for causing death by driving with a further 21 convicted of causing death while under the influence. While the UK has one of the best road safety records in the world, deaths and injuries still cause devastation to the victims and their families.
So we wish all you Drivers a very safe Journey not just over the Christmas Festivities but at all times and remember Don’t Drink and Drive or use your mobile phone whilst driving, you can always call or text them back.
Safety First.