Latest news with #motoring
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Outrage as millions of drivers hit by £15 EXTRA fee to fill up at petrol stations across UK – check routes to avoid
DRIVERS are being warned they face paying an additional £15 fee to top-up their car at certain fuel stations. The AA says anyone planning a journey across Britain this summer should consider their options. 1 Analysis by the motoring organisation shows major discrepancies within the network. For example, motorway petrol averages 155.7p a litre, while A-road averages 140.1p a litre. The UK average is just 134.6p a litre. Edmund King, President at the AA, stressed owners were being hit with an 'outrageous' bill to fill up at motorway service stations. On average, the AA has revealed that motorway bays were charging between 20p and 30p per litre more than ordinary fuel stations, a major blow to road users. Charging 20p to 30p a litre above the UK average pump price or £10 to £15 a tank more to fill up on a motorway is frankly outrageous Edmund King, President of the AA According to the latest figures, the average price of petrol is 134.6p per litre, with diesel at 141.9p per litre. Despite this, motorway averages stand at 155.7p a litre for petrol and 164.4p for diesel, a serious hike. The AA refused to accept the higher costs even when taking into account the extra cost associated with running service stations. Edmund said: 'Even with the extra costs of providing a 24-hour service, free parking and facilities and staffing, charging 20p to 30p a litre above the UK average pump price or £10 to £15 a tank more to fill up on a motorway is frankly outrageous. "No wonder holiday drivers baulk at buying fuel at a service area.' According to analysis, West Country routes between London and Exeter saw the highest difference in fees. M6 closed as two children among eight injured in horror crash with drivers facing two-hour delays On the motorway, road users are paying around 155.2p per litre to top-up with petrol and 163.1pence to fill up with diesel. This compares to a local A-road average of 139p per litre for petrol vehicles and 146.9 pence for diesel machines. Across the M1 and M6, petrol was priced at a whopping 158.8p per litre on motorways compared to 145.8 pence elsewhere. Diesel was also a lot higher with motorway fees recorded at 167.1p per litre compared to 154.6 pence off the main routes. The AA stressed that motorists keen on cutting back on costs should shop around for the best fuel deals even if it means leaving their route. Edmund stressed that mobile services allow users to locate previously hidden fuel stations that may be lying just off the exit of some junctions. He added: 'Savings on A-road holiday routes stand out in particular. "However, there is the likelihood of slower traffic at peak times and many cheaper fuel stations will not operate late at night. "It's a gamble but it may well pay off if a vacation trip cannot be done in one hop.'
The National
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- The National
Guide to Maranello, the city where Ferrari was born
For any enthusiast of automotive greatness, or even a casual admirer of what happens when pure passion meets precision engineering, a trip to Maranello in Italy is less a holiday than a pilgrimage. This unassuming town in Emilia-Romagna is home to Ferrari, the crucible where the legend of the Prancing Horse was forged. Even the most indifferent visitor can sense how deeply the company is embedded in the fabric of the place. A visit to Ferrari Central isn't just a stroll through a museum; it's full immersion into a legacy. It's a living testament to Enzo Ferrari 's relentless pursuit of perfection. The two main attractions are the Museo Ferrari in Maranello and the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in nearby Modena. The latter goes beyond motoring, offering a broader look at the life and vision of Ferrari's founder. Even non-car lovers are drawn in. The experience is engrossing and witnessing decades of evolution is deeply emotional. Inside, you're enveloped in an atmosphere charged with the echoes of thundering engines and celebratory podiums. Ferrari's vast collection includes famous Formula 1 cars, sport prototypes and road-going masterpieces that define the apex of performance and luxury. For racing purists, the connection to Grand Prix is the real magnet. The buzz around the new F1 film starring Brad Pitt - which grossed about $300 million in its first month - has only heightened the allure. Unsurprisingly, the museums in both Maranello and Modena lean into this momentum. The Hall of Victories is a shrine to Scuderia Ferrari's unparalleled F1 success. More than 110 trophies glitter beneath the lights, each representing a moment of global triumph. In the centre – championship-winning cars from 1999 to 2008, arranged in a proud semi-circle, all facing inward like predators about to pounce. But Ferrari isn't resting on its heritage laurels, it is looking to reassert dominance in the field. As F1 evolves, thanks to rule changes and real-time analytics, Ferrari has enlisted the help of Amazon Web Services to mine more than a million data points per second from hundreds of sensors. For Scuderia engineers, this data is gold. It fuels simulations, perfects car setups, and identifies issues before they arise. The goal – shaving off tenths of a second that win races. Visitors can get a taste of that pressure in the racing simulator at Museo Ferrari, offering a high-octane glimpse into what it takes to handle an F1 machine. For a hands-on thrill, Ferrari owners can enroll in the two-day Corso Pilota at the Fiorano circuit. From Sport to Evoluzione+ to Race levels, each stage builds toward competing in the Ferrari Challenge - the brand's single-make racing series dedicated to clients. Drivers are coached by pros, guided by mental trainers, and even fuelled by Scuderia nutritionists. The cars? Ferrari 296 GTBs lined up to greet you. Taking one around Fiorano's twisty track is a visceral, unforgettable experience. Designed with track days in mind, the 296 GTB responds to the lightest touch with breathtaking agility. And with a pro beside you - not to nanny you but to sharpen your technique - you feel at once safe and supersonic. While full factory tours are restricted to clients, media and F1 sponsors, those granted access board shuttles through the Fiorano circuit and Viale Enzo Ferrari. Along the way, you witness each painstaking step of car assembly, still done largely by hand. It's a sharp contrast to the robotic uniformity of mass-market plants. You'll see chunks of raw metal waiting to become part of one of the world's most upmarket vehicles. Even the buildings reflect Ferrari's fusion of art and function, with architecture by greats such as Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel adding another layer of appreciation to the engineering prowess on display. A visit to Maranello is more than just seeing cars. Local pride in the Ferrari brand is off the scale, but the crowds are a truly international bunch – from aficionados who know exactly what they're after to the less initiated who will soon understand the fuss. Coming to this region and sampling what's on offer involves understanding a philosophy and appreciating a fusion of art and engineering, the relentless pursuit of speed, and witnessing the enduring passion that has made Ferrari a global name.
Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Times
Are old-style paper driving licences still valid?
Despite the fact that old-style driving licences were replaced by plastic cards more than 25 years ago (that made us feel old too), some people are still unsure whether their paper version is legal. That's because the rules are different depending on your age, when your licence was issued, whether you've moved house and other reasons. To clear up your confusion, carry on reading. • Read more expert reviews, news and insights on cars and motoring In 2015 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) scrapped the paper counterpart for anyone in Great Britain (not Northern Ireland — see below) who had been issued with a driving licence after 1998. If you've been issued with a paper licence at any point since then, you should also have a photocard, and you can discard your paper counterpart without worry. All data that would have been recorded on the paper section — your penalty points — is now held online. However, if you were issued with a paper licence before April 2000, it is valid provided that all the information on it is still correct. Moving house or changing your name without updating your licence will make it invalid. You could be fined £1,000 if the police catch you using an invalid licence. Most British women change their name after marriage, about 90 per cent according to a 2016 study cited by the BBC. Driving licences must be updated with the new name to remain valid. However, the DVLA confirmed to Driving that should a driver choose to keep their maiden name on official documents after marriage, they will not need to inform them about the marriage as the existing licence remains valid. In 1998 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) replaced the old-style paper licence with a plastic photocard and paper counterpart, the latter of which was used for tallying up the licence points you had. However, in 2015 the paper counterpart was replaced by an online service and paper counterparts were no longer issued, partially due to the number of people who kept losing them. About 445,000 people misplaced theirs in 2014 and had to pay £20 each time to replace it, at a total cost of nearly £9m. Some paper licences are still valid as of the date of publication, but not all of them. If your paper licence was issued before March 31, 2000, and all of the information on your paper licence is still correct as outlined above, then it will usually remain valid until you turn 70. On the day before your birthday you will need to renew your licence, and you will be issued a photocard free of charge. It is also free if you still have your paper licence but you need to change the address or name. All driving licences must be plastic by 2033. If you need to replace your licence before then because it has been defaced, lost or stolen, then you can do so through a service on the government website. This costs £20, and delivery times are in the region of three to four weeks. Provided you're medically and legally cleared to drive, and your application isn't more than a year old, you're allowed to drive while you are swapping your paper licence for a photocard. As of June 2015 paper licences have not had details of endorsements (penalty points) written or printed on them. Instead the details of any offences and endorsements are held electronically, and to view those details, as well as things like what classes of vehicle you're legally allowed to drive or evidence of the validity of your licence to provide to car hire companies, drivers can check through the DVLA portal. That only applies if your licence was issued in England, Scotland or Wales, though. The changes made to the licencing system in Britain in 2015 did not take effect in Northern Ireland and a licence there is still made up of a photocard and a paper counterpart, the latter of which remains an important part of the licence and must be kept safe. As is the case in Great Britain, single-part paper licences issued before the switchover to the use of photo cards may still be valid. While details of any endorsements are also recorded electronically and can be viewed through the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) portal, those endorsements are also recorded on drivers' paper counterpart.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix speeds into final weekend
There was a lot of zooming and whirring at Schenley Park on Saturday. It's the final weekend of this year's Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Spectators and participants call it a motoring "Mardi Gras." "It's kind of exciting to hear that roar, isn't it?" Saundra King from Waynesburg said. Some watch for fun while others have vested interests. "We have a car out there, so we want to see it run," Gary Boffo of Wellsville, Ohio, said. It's a rare time for these people to get to watch people race in Schenley Park. "We were here about 7 o'clock this morning," John Black of Moon Township said. Of course, some like to just display their prized possessions. They mean a lot to people like Black. "Some of us can't afford to buy a fast car, so we make them," Black said. This Grand Prix also means a lot to the charities that benefit. "This represents a significant portion of the money we use to help our community," Jesse Torisky, president and CEO of Autism Pittsburgh, said. Those funds derive from people in their "candy store." "Most of us like fast cars," Black said. This is a venue where they nurture their love. Sunday is the last day of the race weekend. Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Fury after motorists paid more than £20billion in VAT last year just to buy and run cars
MOTORISTS paid more than £20billion in VAT last year just to buy and run cars — making it one of the biggest taxes on driving. Figures show consumer spending on vehicles hit £137billion in 2024, the third highest on record. That generated £22.8billion in VAT for the Treasury, almost matching the £24.6billion raised from fuel duty. But £14.9billion of that fuel duty came from diesel, which is mainly used by haulage firms — not everyday drivers. Meanwhile, tax receipts from Vehicle Excise Duty are around £8billion a year. AA president Edmund King said: 'There's a threat of increased motoring taxation as the Chancellor seeks to balance the books. "But the latest Office for National Statistics consumer spending statistics reveal the hidden tax take from private motorists.' He added: 'The danger of ramping up motoring costs is that it affects individuals and businesses — and ultimately fuels inflation.' His warning came as fears mounted that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering a fuel duty hike in her next Budget to cover the cost of reversing welfare cuts. The Sun's Keep It Down campaign has helped freeze fuel duty since 2011 — saving drivers thousands. Reform UK's Richard Tice said: 'These figures show drivers are being clobbered with a stealth tax bill worth billions. 'With VAT raking in more than fuel duty, the idea of hiking it further is a disgrace. Labour must commit to freezing fuel duty — anything else would be a kick in the teeth for working people.' Drivers forced to pay new 'Doomsday' fee every day under July plan - it's already in effect depending on where you park_1 A Treasury spokesman said: 'We extended the fuel duty cut this year, saving drivers £3billion, and we're investing £1.6billion to fix up to seven million extra potholes.' Treasury Minister James Murray refused to comment on Labour's tax plans yesterday. He told Sky News: 'There's lots of speculation about lots of different tax measures, and I'm not going to get into that.' 1
