Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Vehicle Excise Duty (Reduced Pollution) Regulations 1998 and shall come into force on 1st January 1999.

Interpretation

2.-(1) In these Regulations-�

"the 1994 Act" means the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994;

"authorised examiner" means-�

"prescribed fee" means the fee prescribed by regulation 14;

"rectification notice" has the meaning given by regulation 11(1);

"reduced pollution requirements" mean the requirements prescribed by regulation 5(3);

"registered keeper" in relation to a vehicle means the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under the 1994 Act;

"vehicle" means a vehicle which is an eligible vehicle within the meaning given by section 61B(4) of the 1994 Act; and

"vehicle identification number" has the same meaning as in regulation 67 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986(4).

(2) In these Regulations references to a numbered regulation or schedule are to the regulation of, or schedule to, these Regulations so numbered and references to a numbered paragraph are to the paragraph so numbered in the regulation or schedule in which the reference occurs.

Applications for reduced pollution certificates

3.-(1) An application for a reduced pollution certificate in respect of a vehicle shall be made to the Secretary of State.

(2) The Secretary of State shall fix the time when and the place where an examination for the purpose of determining whether a reduced pollution certificate should be issued is to be carried out and shall inform the applicant accordingly.

(3) The Secretary of State may by notice in writing to the applicant alter the time or place fixed for the examination, but shall not alter the time to an earlier time without the consent of the applicant.

Examinations

4.-(1) An examination for the purpose of determining whether a reduced pollution certificate should be issued shall be carried out by an authorised examiner.

(2) An authorised examiner may refuse to examine a vehicle if-�

(a)the vehicle is not presented at the time and place appointed for the examination;

(b)the prescribed fee has not been paid;

(c)the information specified in Schedule 1 has not been provided;

(d)the person by whom the vehicle is presented is not willing, to the extent necessary for the purpose of properly carrying out the examination,-�

(i)to give the examiner access to the engine and the fuel and exhaust systems,

(ii)to operate the controls of the vehicle, or

(iii)generally to co-operate with the examiner;

(e)the vehicle is in so dangerous or dirty a condition that the examination cannot be carried out properly;

(f)the vehicle has insufficient fuel and oil in it for the examination to be carried out; or

(g)the engine of the vehicle is subject to mechanical or electrical failure.

The reduced pollution requirements

5.-(1) A vehicle satisfies the reduced pollution requirements for the purposes of the 1994 Act at any time when, as a result of an adaptation of a description specified in paragraph (2) ("a prescribed adaptation") having been made to it after 17th March 1998, the reduced pollution requirements are satisfied with respect to it in accordance with paragraph (3).

(2) A prescribed adaptation is-�

(a)the fitting of a new engine to a vehicle; or

(b)the fitting to the engine of the vehicle of a device in respect of which there is in force a certificate of conformity issued by the manufacturer of the vehicle under section 57 of the Road Traffic Act 1988(5) on the basis that the device complies with approval requirements prescribed for the purpose of these Regulations by the Secretary of State in regulations made by him under section 54 of that Act.

(3) In relation to a vehicle which at the time it was first used was required to comply or did comply, as to the rate and content of its particulate emissions, with the requirements specified in an instrument referred to in column (2) of an item in the Table below, the reduced pollution requirements are satisfied if the vehicle is adapted so that the rate and content of its particulate emissions do not exceed the number of grams per kilowatt-hour specified in column (3) of the item.

(4) A vehicle which was first used before 1st April 1991 shall be taken to be a vehicle to which item 1 of the table applies.

(5) A vehicle shall be taken to have been first used on the date on which it was registered under-�

(a)the Roads Act 1920(9);

(b)the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1949(10);

(c)the Vehicles (Excise) Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(11);

(d)the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1962(12);

(e)the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971(13);

(f)the Vehicles (Excise) Act (Northern Ireland) 1972(14); or

(g)the 1994 Act.

Determination of application and issue of certificate

6.-(1) Following an examination of a vehicle in accordance with regulation 4, the authorised examiner who carried out the examination shall issue a reduced pollution certificate to the applicant if and only if he is satisfied that the reduced pollution requirements are satisfied with respect to the vehicle.

(2) A reduced pollution certificate shall be granted for such period as the Secretary of State may determine.

(3) If, following such an examination, the authorised examiner is not satisfied that the reduced pollution requirements are satisfied with respect to the vehicle he shall give written notification to the applicant of the refusal and of the reasons for it.

Form of reduced pollution certificate

7. A reduced pollution certificate shall contain the information specified in Schedule 2.

Reduced pollution certificate to be conclusive

8.-(1) If at any time a reduced pollution certificate is in force for a vehicle it shall be conclusive evidence that the reduced pollution requirements are satisfied with respect to that vehicle at that time.

(2) If at any time no reduced pollution certificate is in force for a vehicle, that fact shall be conclusive evidence that the reduced pollution requirements are not satisfied with respect to that vehicle at that time.

Reduced pollution certificate to be produced on application for a vehicle licence in prescribed circumstances

9.-(1) Where an application is made for a vehicle licence on the basis that the rate of vehicle excise duty applicable is a rate specified in one of the provisions of Schedule 1 to the 1994 Act specified in paragraph (2), the Secretary of State may require the applicant to furnish a reduced pollution certificate before he determines the rate at which vehicle excise duty is payable on the licence.

(2) The provisions of Schedule 1 to the 1994 Act referred to in paragraph (1) are-�

(a)paragraph 3(1A);

(b)paragraph 6(2A)(b);

(c)paragraph 7(3A)(b);

(d)paragraph 9A; and

(e)paragraph 11A.

Re-examination of a vehicle for which a reduced pollution certificate is in force

10.-(1) An authorised examiner may at any time by notice in writing require the registered keeper of a vehicle in respect of which a reduced pollution certificate is in force to submit it, at such place and within such period as may be specified in the notice (or such other place or such longer period as may be agreed by the Secretary of State), for a re-examination for the purpose of determining whether the reduced pollution requirements are still satisfied with respect to it.

(2) Regulations 3(3) and 4(2) (except sub-paragraph (b)) apply to a re-examination under this regulation.

(3) If a vehicle for which a reduced pollution certificate is in force is found after a re-examination under this regulation to satisfy the reduced pollution requirements, the authorised examiner who carried out the re-examination shall give notice in writing to that effect to the registered keeper or to the person who brought the vehicle to the examination and to the Secretary of State.

Rectification notice

11.-(1) If a vehicle for which a reduced pollution certificate is in force is found after an examination whether under regulation 10 or otherwise no longer to satisfy the reduced pollution requirements, the authorised examiner who carried out the examination shall give notice in writing (in these Regulations called "a rectification notice") to that effect to the registered keeper or to the person who brought the vehicle to the examination.

(2) A rectification notice shall state in what respect the vehicle was found not to satisfy the reduced pollution requirements.

(3) A rectification notice shall state that, unless the vehicle is submitted for a further examination, at such place and within such period as may be specified in the notice (or such other place or such longer period as may be agreed by the Secretary of State), and is found at that further examination to satisfy the reduced pollution requirements, the Secretary of State will at the expiration of that period revoke the reduced pollution certificate for the vehicle.

(4) Regulations 3(3) and 4(2) apply to an examination under paragraph (3).

Revocation, surrender and cancellation of reduced pollution certificate

12.-(1) The Secretary of State may-�

(a)if he is satisfied, in consequence of a re-examination under regulation 11, that the reduced pollution requirements are no longer satisfied with respect to a vehicle in respect of which a reduced pollution certificate is in force; or

(b)if the registered keeper of a vehicle who has been required to submit it for re-examination under regulation 10 or following a rectification notice under regulation 11 has failed to do so in accordance with these Regulations, by notice in writing given to the registered keeper revoke the reduced pollution certificate for the vehicle, which shall cease to have effect on such date as may be specified in the notice.

(2) Where a notice has been given in respect of the vehicle under regulation 10(3) or 11(3), the notice under paragraph (1) shall not be given before the end of the period for submitting the vehicle for a further examination specified in the notice under regulation 10(3) or, as the case may be regulation 11(3).

(3) The registered keeper of a vehicle in respect of which a reduced pollution certificate is in force may at any time surrender the certificate to the Secretary of State for cancellation, whereupon the certificate shall cease to have effect.

(4) Where a certificate is revoked in accordance with paragraph (1) the registered keeper shall deliver up the certificate to the Secretary of State for cancellation within such period as the Secretary of State may specify in the notice given under paragraph (1).

Appeals against refusal or revocation of a certificate

13.-(1) A person aggrieved by a refusal to issue a reduced pollution certificate following an examination under regulation 4, or by the revocation of a reduced pollution certificate, may appeal to the Secretary of State.

(2) An appeal under this regulation shall-�

(a)be made in writing within the period of 14 days immediately following the giving of a notice under regulation 6(3) or 12(1);

(b)state the grounds on which it is made; and

(c)be sent by post or facsimile transmission to the Secretary of State-�

(i)at the Goods Vehicle Centre, Welcombe House, 91/92 The Strand, Swansea SA1 2DH, in the case of a vehicle the examination of which was carried out in Great Britain; or

(ii)at the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency, Headquarters, Balmoral Road, Belfast BT12 6QL in the case of a vehicle the examination of which was carried out in Northern Ireland.

(3) As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of an appeal made in accordance with paragraph (2) the Secretary of State shall notify the appellant of-�

(a)the place at which the examination for the purposes of the appeal will take place; and

(b)the time at which it will start.

(4) The examination shall be carried out by a person who has not previously examined the vehicle who is-�

(a)in a case where the examination is carried out in Great Britain, authorised by the Secretary of State to carry out examinations for the purposes of this regulation; or

(b)in a case where the examination is carried out in Northern Ireland, an authorised examiner.

(5) At the conclusion of an examination under this regulation the Secretary of State shall either issue a reduced pollution certificate or give the appellant written notice that the appeal is dismissed and of the grounds of dismissal.

(6) Regulations 3(3) and 4(2) apply to an examination under this regulation.

Prescribed fees

14.-(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) the prescribed fee for carrying out any examination of a vehicle under these Regulations (except an examination under regulation 10, for which no fee shall be payable) shall be-�

(a)£15 if it is carried out at the same time as an examination of the vehicle carried out-�

(i)for the purpose of determining whether a certificate of initial fitness should be issued under section 6 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981(15) or a public service vehicle licence should be granted under Article 61 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981(16);

(ii)for the purposes of an examination carried out for the purposes of section 45 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, Article 61(1) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 or Article 66(1) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (test certificates); or

(iii)for one or more of the purposes mentioned in section 49(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988(17) or Article 65 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (plating and testing of goods vehicles);

(b)£25 in any other case.

(2) If, at the request of the applicant, the time appointed for an examination is out of hours, the fee payable under paragraph (1) shall be increased by £8.40.

(3) If, at the request of the applicant, an examination is carried out otherwise than at premises provided and maintained by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (goods vehicle testing stations) the fee payable under preceding provisions of this regulation shall be increased by £3.50.

(4) In paragraph (2) "out of hours" means-�

(a)at any time on Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day, a Bank Holiday (as defined by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(18)) or (in relation to Great Britain) Good Friday or (in relation to Northern Ireland) Easter Tuesday; or

(b)on any other day except-�

(i)between 8.00 am and 5 pm on Monday to Thursday inclusive; or

(ii)between 8.00 am and 4.30 pm on a Friday.

Regulation 4(2)(c)

SCHEDULE 1INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BEFORE AN EXAMINATION IS CARRIED OUT

1. The name of the applicant.

2. The address of the applicant including the post code.

3. The registration mark of the vehicle (if the vehicle has been registered).

4. The vehicle identification number or chassis number of the vehicle.

5. The make and model of the vehicle.

6. The date of manufacture of the vehicle.

7. Particulars of the prescribed adaptation made to the vehicle, whereby it is claimed that the reduced pollution requirements are satisfied in respect of the vehicle.

Regulation 7

SCHEDULE 2CONTENTS OF REDUCED POLLUTION CERTIFICATE

A reduced pollution certificate shall contain the following information-�

(a)the registration mark of the vehicle;

(b)the date on which the certificate expires;

(c)the make and model of the vehicle;

(d)the vehicle identification number;

(e)particulars of the prescribed adaptation which has been made to the vehicle;

(f)the emission standard as specified in column (3) of the table in regulation 5(3) with which the vehicle has been modified to comply; and

(g)the vehicle testing station or other place at which the examination was conducted.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 was amended by the Finance Act 1998 (section 16 and Schedule 2) so as to provide for reduced rates of vehicle excise duty to be applicable to certain buses, haulage vehicles and heavy goods vehicles when adapted so as to reduce pollution. These Regulations prescribe "the reduced pollution requirements" which are the requirements that must be satisfied in order that these reduced rates may apply to a vehicle and provide for the issue of reduced pollution certificates where the requirements are found to be satisfied.

Regulation 3 provides for an application for a reduced pollution certificate to be made to the Secretary of State, who is to fix a time and place for the examination of the vehicle and to notify the applicant but may later change the time and place. In accordance with regulation 4 the examination must be carried out by an authorised examiner who, in specified circumstances including failure by the applicant to provide the information listed in Schedule 1, may decline to examine the vehicle.

Regulation 5 prescribes the reduced pollution requirements that must be satisfied before a certificate can be issued. Regulation 6 provides for the determination of applications, regulation 7 and Schedule 2 prescribe what a certificate is to contain and regulation 8 provides for the existence or non-existence of a certificate to be conclusive as to whether or not the reduced pollution requirements are satisfied. Regulation 9 requires a reduced pollution certificate to be produced where a licence is taken out for a vehicle on the basis that it satisfies the reduced pollution requirements.

Regulations 10 and 11 provide for the re-examination of a certified vehicle and for the issue of a rectification certificate where a vehicle is found no longer to satisfy the requirements and regulation 12 provides for the revocation, surrender and cancellation of certificates. Appeals against the refusal or revocation of a certificate are provided for in regulation 13. The fees for examinations are prescribed by regulation 14.

Copies of the Directives referred to in regulation 5 and of the Official Journal containing the Commission's proposal for a Directive amending Directive 88/77/EC can be obtained from the Stationery Office.