November/December 2013
www.bvrla.co.uk
BVRLA News The bimonthly newsletter of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
Victory for the BVRLA as tax disc is scrapped After a decade of campaigning by the BVRLA, the government announced that it will remove the need for vehicle owners to display a tax disc from 1 October 2014. Once used as a visible means of demonstrating that a vehicle has been taxed, the disc is no longer required because Vehicle Excise Duty data can instantly be confirmed via number plate recognition and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's computer system. This move brings VED into line with insurance, which has never needed to be displayed in the vehicle. “It is great that the Red Tape Challenge we participated in is continuing to bring results,” said BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney. “We estimate that removing this pointless piece of paper will save the government around £7m per year, and save fleet operators around £10m as well.”
Managing Director at Eurohire Vehicle Rentals Ltd said: “The CV sector welcomes the abolition of the tax disc. This common sense approach will see us being able to serve the needs of UK companies more quickly and efficiently.”
What the Autumn Statement means All the details from the Chancellor's December announcement, and the ramifications for you. page 3 BVRLA members help TfL with ULEZ specifics Meeting with Transport for London discussed the Ultra Low Emission Zone, while the BVRLA is helping the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. page 3
Tim Bowden, Operations Director at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions said: “The abolition of the physical tax disc is great news and is long overdue. We can all look forward to efficiency gains from no longer having to post out new tax discs and follow up to ensure discs are being displayed.”
FCA reassures BVRLA members of new rules Leasing broker members met with the Financial Conduct Authority to discuss the consumer credit regulations. page 5
From 1 October 2014 motorists will be able to pay vehicle tax by direct debit annually, biannually or monthly. The BVRLA will be working closely with the DVLA on new VED payment methods for fleets in preparation for the abolition of the tax disc in October 2014.
Another successful industry conference Round-up and picture highlights from the BVRLA's annual industry conference held in Gaydon on 5 December. page 9
Lianne Parkinson, Head of Vehicle Policy at the DVLA, said: “The BVRLA has been a strong advocate of getting rid of the tax disc, and we will continue to work with the Association in the run up to October 2014.”
The government estimates that it will lose around £35m due to Vehicle Excise Duty evasion in 2013/14, which equates to around 210,000 untaxed vehicles, or 0.6% of the traffic on UK roads. u
The news was met with praise by BVRLA members, too. Victoria Hudson,
Further information See the BVRLA website: www.bvrla.co.uk
Christmas Opening Hours
The BVRLA offices will be closed between 2pm on 24 December and 8:30am on 2 January. VE103B Orders for VE103B pads received after 17 December will be delivered in the new year. Single VE103B certificates can be ordered as normal up to 24 December. Contact: Member Services Administrator, Rob Burford, robert@bvrla.co.uk, 01494 545702
RVR and TOM forums - what you missed Review and feedback from our Residual Value & Remarketing and Technical & Operational Management forums. page 10 Comedian confirmed for 2014 dinner We've booked a top act to perform at the London Hilton on Park Lane for our Annual Dinner. But who is it? page 11
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