Privately Taxed Vans Facts

I am posting this as It might save someone else the hassle of ringing around asking the same questions as myself about PRIVATELY TAXED CAR-VANS. For the record I own a Ford Focus Car-van myself, which I have taxed privately for the past 18 months for Insurance reasons.

My Questions were:

#1. Do I have to Test my van as I have it taxed privately?:

The simple answer is YES it needs to be DOE'd



#2. Can Post 2008 PRIVATELY Taxed Car-vans pay the lower rate of road tax (Carbon based system)

The simple answer is NO. They have to pay road tax based on the old Engine CC system.



Below is how I came to these Answers:

Question #1. Do I have to Test my van as I have it taxed privately?:

#1. I thought there was a loophole which meant it wasn't eligible for the NCT or DOE. I believed this because when I bought my van I had seen it mentioned on a number of forms that this was the case. I then rang the NCTS (National Car Test Service) where I was told that: "as my car was actually a van and not a car, it didn't legally require and NCT." I was then told, by the same person that: "as it was a PRIVATELY taxed van the DOE centre wouldn't touch it." She then told me I could get my van put on the NCT system and get it NCT'd, but that there was no obligation to do so. I also rang the Gards, They were unsure but advised that I get it tested. I still declined not to, as I didn't want to pay £70 for nothing. This was all fine up until now, when I decided I wanted to sell my van. I wanted to get it doe'd to try make some money back on it.
So, I emailed the RSA (they are over vehicle testing) to see if I could indeed Doe my privately taxed van. Their response was, as follows;

Dear Kevin,

Goods Vehicles are subject to roadworthiness testing under S.I. No. 771 of 2004, European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations, 2004. All goods vehicles must complete an annual roadworthiness test in a Commercial Vehicle Test Centre, regardless of how the vehicle is taxed. The motor tax category of a vehicle has no bearing on how the vehicle must be tested.

Under vehicle testing regulations, a goods vehicle (EU Categories N for motor vehicles and O for trailers) is a vehicle constructed or adapted primarily for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description whether or not it is used for such a purpose. This includes vehicles such as car vans and 4x4 vehicles converted for goods use.


The motor taxation class of a goods vehicle is not considered in Vehicle Testing Regulations and as a result has no bearing on the periodic roadworthiness testing obligations of a goods vehicle. This means that all goods vehicles, whether taxed as private or commercial (including small vans), are legally required to undergo a periodic roadworthiness test at a Vehicle Test Network centre one year after first registration and every subsequent year thereafter on the anniversary of registration.

I hope this answers your query, if you need any further information please do not hesitate in contacting our office on (091) 872600




The thoughts of upgrading my van brought me on to my next 2nd question:

#2. Can Post 2008 PRIVATELY Taxed Car-vans pay the lower rate of road tax (Carbon based system)

So I emailed the Department of the Environment, as they are over the collection of Road Tax, to ask.
This was their response:

Dear Mr #####,


Only 08 private type vehicles can be taxed on co2 emissions that pay vrt category A. As commercial vehicles pay a low VRT band C they do not qualify for the new tax rates and continue to either be taxed on engine cc for private use or unladen weight for commercial use.

Regards
Agnes O'Donoghue


I hope this is of use to someone else.