Classic car not tax exempt?

BoBoDobie

The other half has recently bought a 1979 classic car.  We've just had a DVLA reminder that its not been taxed (or SORN'd) .  He thought at that age it was tax exempt but the letter said to follow the online link even if you don't have to pay a fee.  He's done that, filled it out and at the end its asking for a fee!  I've done some googling and is it correct that we have to apply for the car to be put in the exempt class?  And presumably until we do its liable to have paid road tax on it? I thought that it would automatically become tax exempt when it reached a certain age.

I just find it surprising that given the age of the car, no-one has done this before, its had a lot of previous owners.  Thanks for any advice.

ETA I have been trying to speak to DVLA for the last few days and they are simply not taking phone calls - just directing you the online help/phone back another day

AdrianC

It's £0 VED, assuming the tax class has been changed to "Historic" - which needs to be done at a post office. A 1979-built car only came tax-exempt in April 2020.
https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles/apply-for-vehicle-tax-exemption

But, yes, it still needs to be taxed and/or SORNed just the same as any other car.

"Tax exempt" just means that it's free to tax it - and he doesn't need prove it's MOTd (unless it's been modified outside of the criteria).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria

Is the site he's using the actual DVLA gov.uk site, or is it one of the commercial sites that will do it for you for a fee?

BoBoDobie

Thank you.  Yes that's true, I guess the previous owner didn't have it that long whilst its been exempt.

I can't see its been changed to historic on the log book (not that I know where to look but I can't see anything obvious)

I'm doing it via the DVLA gov site.  I think its not been historic, I think thats the issue.  I think he thought it did it automatically at a certain age.  Thank you, will report back!

AdrianC

Tax class is on the V5C - if it says PLG, it's not been changed. Field "X" on the main page.

BoBoDobie

AdrianC said:

Tax class is on the V5C - if it says PLG, it's not been changed. Field "X" on the main page.

Ahh, thank you.  Yes still says private light goods and presumably would say Historic if it had been changed.  Thank you that's really helpful

AdrianC

So the big question... What is it?

oldagetraveller1

And have there been any "substantial changes" that would make it not possible to fulfill the historic vehicle requirement?

My Morris Minor is also M.O.T. exempt (crazy in my opinion) but I still have it tested.

Good question Adrian.

AdrianC

oldagetraveller1 said:

And have there been any "substantial changes" that would make it not possible to fulfill the historic vehicle bracket?

For VED, it's a lot looser than for MOT - for VED, it's as broad as whether it still qualifies for the identity.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

BoBoDobie

AdrianC said:

So the big question... What is it?

A Triumph Spitfire

BoBoDobie

oldagetraveller1 said:

And have there been any "substantial changes" that would make it not possible to fulfill the historic vehicle requirement?

My Morris Minor is also M.O.T. exempt (crazy in my opinion) but I still have it tested.

Good question Adrian.

No I don't believe so

AdrianC

BoBoDobie said:

AdrianC said:

So the big question... What is it?

A Triumph Spitfire

Very late one!

Fingers crossed for the weather to enjoy it this year.