Tax and the 40 year old rule

[wolfheze]

I have just been reminded by the govt that my tax expires at the end of the month. Am going to sorn it anyway as it won't be used again until spring. Now the bike was declared manufactured in 76 so how and when will the 40 year old rule kick in and does it happen automatically or do you have to send proof of date of manufacture?
Thank you.

[royhall]

When the bike reaches 40 years old you will need to get the V5 changed to show the vehicle type as 'Historic Vehicle'. You will then be able to tax the bike via the normal route except its free. Doesn't happen automatically and the bike will still need taxing annually the same as if you were paying for it.

[wolfheze]

Does it reach 40 at the beginning or end of the year? I can guess the end.

[Chris400F]

Neither, but that's how government works ....
This is the link to the document about the rolling tax exemption:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/293910/TIIN_2507_8011_40_year_rolling_exemption_for_classic_vehicles_.pdf
They work from April 1st, so if your bike was made in 1976 then 1st April 2017 is a date for your diary.
I presume if your bike is shown as being manufactured in 1976 in DVLA records you will be OK.
Mine was made in 1977 but not registered until 1981; year of manufacture was also shown as 1981 (now corrected, after a bit of fun with dating information).
You can check the details here: https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/.

[wolfheze]

Yes year of manufacture on the V5  is  1976 so will have to wait another year 

[gtmdriver]

When the great day arrives you can get the taxation class changed at a post office.

[Chris400F]

Yes year of manufacture on the V5  is  1976 so will have to wait another year 

The year of manufacture isn't shown on the V5, that's where I got caught out.
The year of registration is but the two are not necessarily the same.
My 400/4 could not possibly have been made in 1981 but that's what the DVLA details said, same as year of registration.
I think the only way to check is via the Vehicle Enquiry web page but I guess for most bikes there won't be any query anyway.

[mike the bike]

If the 40 year anniversary is half way into the year,  forget it.  You cant change the taxation class until January.   Those numpties at DVLA and DOT don't think like the rest of the human race.

[flatfour]

I changed my 500/4 tax class to "historic" last year and whilst the DVLA and Post Office were both helpful, it took almost a month and involved extensive discussions to achieve this. The reason given (at least in my case) was that the Post Office is dependant upon the DVLA supplying information of eligible vehicles for the change to take place. My 500 showed on the DVLA data base as eligible, however not on the one used by the Post Office and, as no manual input is possible by Post Office counter staff, although I had an e-mail from the DVLA confirming my claim, "nothing could be done" by them.

Eventually it emerged that the Post Office not only use a totally separate data base from the DVLA, but also the updates are manually set and take place at completely different intervals from those of the DVLA!

Finally I was told to send all applicable documents to the DVLA, who reissued them in the correct tax class.

Interestingly, although I offered to pay for the year's tax at the Post Office (I needed the bike to attend a classic Show) they would not let me do so because of the DVLA letter confirming its right to be taxed in the "Historic Vehicle" category.

[wolfheze]

Yes year of manufacture on the V5  is  1976 so will have to wait another year 

The year of manufacture isn't shown on the V5, that's where I got caught out.
The year of registration is but the two are not necessarily the same.
My 400/4 could not possibly have been made in 1981 but that's what the DVLA details said, same as year of registration.
I think the only way to check is via the Vehicle Enquiry web page but I guess for most bikes there won't be any query anyway. The year of manufacture is definitely on the V5. Bike is an import,maybe that makes a difference.?

[BigAl (Alan)]

I taxed my 1974 (CB750) in April 2015 at the post office in the usual way. (I've owned the bike for a number of years)
I normally SORN the bikes through the winter months but had not done anything concerning the 'Historic V5' adjustment. Anyhow, paid my money and decided to sort it out later in the year, as I was busy with other projects.
3 weeks later received a letter from the DVLA with a replacement now 'Historic V5' document and a refunded tax cheque and letter concerning the overpayment...I was very surprised !
Hope the above helps

[wolfheze]

Year of manufacture is definitely on the V5. It's an  import so maybe that makes a difference?  Date of registration in the UK is 96.

[BigAl (Alan)]

My bike was also imported in 1997, but the year of manufacture is recorded on the old & new
V5 as 1974. I thought I may have to write a letter to Honda for proof of the manufacturing date, but did not need to do this as DVLA issued a 'Historic V5' automatically

[wolfheze]

Will have to see what happens in 2017,seems a long time away! No big deal though as it's only thirty something for 6 months anyway.

[gtmdriver]

My local post office changed the taxation class while I waited. They issued me with a receipt in lieu of my now free tax disc and sent the old V5C off to Swansea. I recieced the updated one a couple of weeks later. There were no problems or delays.