HISTORIC HGV TYRE UPDATE

Published: 14/10/2020

In the FBHVC News Issue 5 of 2020, the Legislation section carries a summary of what appeared to be the final Government position on the banning of tyres over 10 years old on buses and HGVs.  That position included exemptions from any new regulations for Vehicles of Historical Interest (VHIs). However since the Government response also stated that “it makes sense to use the same basis for any exemptions as those already in place for historic vehicles from roadworthiness testing” , this implied that only those large historic vehicles already exempt from testing (i.e. those first used before 1 January1960) would escape the application of the new requirements. On that basis, as the last News letter stated, it seemed that HGVs over 40 years old but post 1960 which were still subject to “MOT” testing even though qualifying as VHIs, would need to comply with new rules on the age and dating of tyres.

However following extensive correspondence with the International Vehicle Standards Division of the Department for Transport (DfT), there is welcome news that the post 1960 to 1980 HGVs may well be exempt also so long as they are not being used for commercial purposes. Obviously until the Federation has sight of the relevant legislation, the precise situation cannot be guaranteed, but a more detailed update on this recent clarification from the DfT will be provided in the next Issue.