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Urgent warning for drivers who own cars made between 2001 and 2017
Urgent warning for drivers who own cars made between 2001 and 2017

Daily Mirror

time5 hours ago

  • Automotive
  • Daily Mirror

Urgent warning for drivers who own cars made between 2001 and 2017

A tax warning has been issued to drivers who have cars with specific registration plates. The alert is aimed at motorists with vehicles made between 2001 and 2017 A tax alert has been issued to drivers who own cars with specific registration plates. The warning is targeted at motorists with vehicles manufactured between 2001 and 2017. The alert follows a Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) overhaul under the Labour Party. ‌ For older cars, including modern classics registered between March 1, 2001 and March 31, 2017, the system remains emissions-based, and those emitting less than 100g/km will continue to pay nothing, while for everyone else there's a £10 increase compared to 2024 rates. ‌ Car insurance company Hagerty stated: "That means owners of older cars emitting more than 255g/km of CO2 will pay £735 a year for the privilege of driving on Britain's beautifully-maintained road network. Ahem." It comes after UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' a road instead of having to follow new rule. ‌ The firm added: "Cars registered before 1 March 2001, that were still younger than 40 years old on 1 January 2025, are charged based on engine capacity. That's £210 a year for those under 1,549cc and £345 for anything above. The Government considers any car older than those to be a "historic vehicle" and is therefore exempt from paying road tax, or, indeed, being required to have an annual MOT test." Drivers who have vehicles registered afterwards pay under a different system. For the first year of registration, they have to pay a "showroom tax", which is based on the vehicle's CO2 emissions. ‌ John Cassidy, managing director of sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, has highlighted that some buyers are already deterred by the sparse battery charging network for electric vehicles (EVs), reports Chronicle Live. Lorna Macpherson, a car finance specialist at Ocean Finance, pointed out that although tax reforms make eco-friendly cars more economical to operate, the soaring costs of motoring may prevent drivers from making the switch. She said: "For petrol and diesel cars, an increase in VED means higher running costs for owners, making newer, more efficient cars even more attractive." Yet, Lorna observed that "with rising interest rates on car finance" coupled with the financial strain felt by Britons, "many will hold on to their current vehicles for longer rather than upgrading". In addition, a warning has been sounded for millions of UK motorists who use E10 fuel. The shift to E10 petrol is driving up fuel expenses for drivers and road users across the country, as recent alerts have indicated. The E10 initiative was backed by the previous Tory government as a step towards environmental conservation. Nonetheless, research from the University of Warwick has disclosed that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, which includes E10, has led to increased fuel prices. The study revealed that over the past five years, the RTFO has added an average of 3.5p per litre to unleaded petrol and six pence to diesel prices. The research, conducted by Dr Nikhil Datta and Johannes Brinkmann and published through the CAGE Research Centre, attributed the increase to rising biofuel costs and escalating RTFO obligations. E10 is a biofuel blend consisting of 90 per cent conventional unleaded petrol mixed with 10 per cent ethanol. The standard unleaded fuel available prior to the introduction of E10 contained a maximum of 5% ethanol and was suitable for any petrol-powered vehicle without issues or the need for modifications.

DVLA hands out 464 'bans' in major crackdown on UK cars ahead of big change
DVLA hands out 464 'bans' in major crackdown on UK cars ahead of big change

Daily Mirror

timea day ago

  • Automotive
  • Daily Mirror

DVLA hands out 464 'bans' in major crackdown on UK cars ahead of big change

The DVLA has banned a series of number plates that were set to be released in September, with the 75 plate having a number of banned combinations for being too rude As we gear up for the new '75' registration plate coming into effect from September 1, the DVLA has clamped down on a series of number plates it considers too saucy for British streets. Among the banned combinations are 'BO75 OCK', 'BL75 JOB' and 'DR75 NKY'. The DVLA conducts a biannual clean-up operation in March and September to weed out any number plate combinations that might cause a stir or offence. ‌ The no-go list includes references to violence, drugs, crime, discrimination, political stances, explicit language, or anything that could be seen as embarrassing or inflammatory. Carwow 's head of editorial, Iain Reid, said: "Personalised plates are always a source of creativity - and sometimes controversy. ‌ ‌ "Every release brings a wave of cheeky, clever, and occasionally questionable suggestions that the DVLA has to sift through." He added: "While most are light-hearted, it's important the system filters out anything that could cause genuine offence. With each new series, it's fascinating to see where the line is drawn." ‌ Carwow's rundown of prohibited plates shows that the '5' in '75' is particularly troublesome this time, as it resembles an 'S', leading to the vetoing of risque, suggestive or unsuitable combinations like 'BO75 OCK', 'BL75 JOB', 'DR75 NKY' and 'TO75 ERR', reports Birmingham Live. Plates with politically or socially sensitive connotations have also been given the boot, such as 'EU75 WAR' – hinting at international strife, 'NO75 LAB' – indicating a jab at a political party, and 'NO75 LEZ' – targeting low-emission zones. Several plates that hint at sexual innuendo or slang were also turned down, including 'PE75 RVS', 'TE75 CLE', 'PR75 TIT'. Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers, added: "These bans ensure that number plates on the road aren't those that could be translated into something offensive, inflammatory, insulting, obscene or otherwise problematic." As explained by the banned number plates aim to prevent drivers from breaking the rules and facing hefty fines up to £1,000 for not meeting the standards. For first-time offenders, a warning gets issued, giving the driver up to 14 days to rectify the issue. Serious offences can lead to the registration being confiscated and, in some worst cases, failing the MOT or even seizing the car. The DVLA also auctions desirable combinations of numbers and letters that form nicknames, phrases or initials - with the bidding kicking off from £250. This follows an Oasis number plate gaining popularity in light of the reunion tour. The DVLA has confirmed it has prohibited a total of 464 combinations from the 75 series.

inDrive Eyes 40,000 Active Drivers, Confident In Expansion Amid EVP Issues
inDrive Eyes 40,000 Active Drivers, Confident In Expansion Amid EVP Issues

Barnama

timea day ago

  • Automotive
  • Barnama

inDrive Eyes 40,000 Active Drivers, Confident In Expansion Amid EVP Issues

BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- United States-based e-hailing company inDrive remains confident of reaching 40,000 active drivers by year-end and affirms that its Malaysian expansion will not be jeopardised by the e-hailing vehicle permit (EVP) and public service vehicle (PSV)-related issues. InDrive Malaysia country lead Govin Kumaar Panirsheeluam said the Land Public Transport Agency's (APAD) decision to allow inDrive to continue operations under a three-month monitoring period does not impact its overall operations in the country, and inDrive remains compliant with the regulations. 'We are close to the target of 40,000 (drivers), and we will remain steadfast in engaging with the regular stakeholders, (including) the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and APAD, in this matter. So we do not foresee any issues,' he told a media conference held to explain its operating status and future plans. InDrive Asia Pacific director Mark Tolley affirmed that Malaysia is one of its core markets, adding that the decision to set up its regional hub in Kuala Lumpur reflected the company's commitment and belief in the brand's continued growth in the country, despite recent regulatory issues. 'We have strengthened our internal processes, and we have taken the lead by modifying our platform -- by adding a layer of verification in the (inDrive) platform where we make sure that all the documentation provided by the drivers is verified correctly, and make sure that all the information provided is correct,' he said. Earlier, inDrive officially received confirmation from the MOT and APAD to continue operations in Malaysia, following the conclusion of a review process. InDrive is also committed to ensuring that all drivers on its platform are required to possess valid EVP and PSV licenses, as well as e-hailing insurance, and must pass document verification before being allowed to operate. The ride-hailing company has since implemented enhanced internal checks and is working closely with APAD to strengthen its compliance systems. Since entering Malaysia in 2021, inDrive has expanded its footprint from the Klang Valley to Penang and Johor Bahru.

Police go 'snooping' undercover to catch drivers in major crackdown
Police go 'snooping' undercover to catch drivers in major crackdown

Daily Mirror

time2 days ago

  • Daily Mirror

Police go 'snooping' undercover to catch drivers in major crackdown

A seaside town in the south of England is at the centre of the crackdown from police, who are going undercover with motorists struggling to spot the disguised officers Undercover police officers are being deployed to catch reckless drivers in England, with a coastal town in the south becoming the focal point of this crackdown. Motorists are finding it challenging to identify these covert officers as they blend in with regular traffic. ‌ The specialist road policing unit has cautioned unsuspecting drivers about their diverse strategies to apprehend poor driving behaviour. In Devon and Cornwall, motorists are being alerted about unique tactics being used to combat dangerous driving. Over the past two days, these southern counties have witnessed four arrests for suspected drug driving during this operation. ‌ ‌ Two vehicles were impounded, and two individuals were caught using their phones while driving. Additionally, the police arrested two people driving without an MOT, two without seatbelts and three lacking insurance. Operations Commander Jim Gale stated: "Keeping the roads safe remains our focus." He further added: "These operations are hugely important for us to make sure we're doing our part in keeping people safe on the road. ‌ "Our priority is to deter dangerous behaviour, educate drivers, and identify those breaking the law in an effort to create positive, safe, sustainable change." Inspector Tony Hannaford, who leads the roads policing teams in West Cornwall, has also voiced his support for the force's impending clampdown. He warned: "We'll be on the roads looking out for you, whether you know we're there or not, to put a stop to your dangerous behaviour. This action isn't a one-off." In a separate move, two police vans boasting advanced camera technology were stationed at different spots in the St Austell vicinity, responding to local worries about hazardous driving, reports Birmingham Live. The road safety squad teamed up with community officers to "try to deter drivers from speeding and to keep people safe", according to the county's police force.

Maxim and InDrive warned over EVP compliance by transport ministry
Maxim and InDrive warned over EVP compliance by transport ministry

The Sun

time2 days ago

  • Automotive
  • The Sun

Maxim and InDrive warned over EVP compliance by transport ministry

ALOR SETAR: The Ministry of Transport has issued a strong warning to e-hailing operators Maxim and InDrive, demanding full compliance with service requirements, including the mandatory E-Hailing Vehicle Permit (EVP). Failure to adhere could result in licence suspension or revocation. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that both companies are under a three-month monitoring period to demonstrate compliance. 'Any operator facing enforcement action has the right to appeal to the MOT, and both companies have done so. We've outlined corrective actions, and improvements have begun. As this is their first offence, we are giving them a chance to rectify the issues. However, further violations may lead to licence suspension,' he said during the launch of the Kota Setar service. Loke acknowledged the severity of the offences, primarily operating without EVP compliance, but noted the potential impact on drivers and passengers. 'An immediate shutdown would affect users, and opinions on enforcement vary,' he added. On April 24, the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) issued a Notice of Licence Revocation to Maxim and InDrive, effective July 24, following compliance failures. Both companies appealed, securing a three-month probationary period starting July 24 to meet requirements or face regulatory action. - Bernama

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