Tolls in a private van.

HazeDoll

I drive a small van, taxed and insured as a private vehicle, fully above board. Recently I've been doing much more motorway driving than I usually would and I'm getting increasingly bothered whenever I have to pay the commercial toll.

I've tried to make phonecalls to some of the tag providers this morning to see if I would be able to pay the private toll if I had a tag.

One lad was baffled completely and thought I was trying to get away with a crime and then I had this conversation with two other chaps:

"My small can is taxed and insured as a private vehicle, will I pay the commercial toll if I have a tag?"

"No, your vehicle is a private vehicle so you would pay the private toll."

"Ah, ok, so I would pay €2.30 on the N6 instead of €4.10?"

"The discount only applies to the M50."

"What discount? I'm asking about which of the rates I would have to pay."

"I can see that your vehicle is a private vehicle so you would pay the private rate."

"On the M6?"

"The discount only applies on the M50."

"But - never mind. How much would I pay on the M6?"

"You would pay the full price."

"And how much is that?"

"For a car it is €2.30."

"I have a van that is taxed as a private vehicle. How much would I pay?"

"The discount only applies on the M50."

I had to give up because I couldn't get an answer. Does anybody here drive a small van, not a car-derived van, that is taxed and insured as a private vehicle? Do you have a toll tag and how much do you pay at the toll?

Citrus_8

Your toll rate is based on the vehicle weight. See etoll.ie. Your private van is classed as a goods vehicle. https://etoll.ie/toll-rates/

HazeDoll

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123457748#Comment_123457748

I know that one of the ways they divide them into classes is by weight but lots of motor cars weigh more than my van. Weight alone isn't the deciding factor.

From the motor tax website: "To be taxed at the goods rate, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted for use and used for the conveyance of goods or burden of any other description in the course of trade or business (including agriculture and the performance by a local or public authority of its functions)."

This does not apply to me.

When I bought my van and filled out a change of particulars form it stopped being a commercial vehicle. This is why I pay the higher rate of tax on it. I have argued my way through the manned toll booth a number of times on this principle but it adds a few minutes to the journey and I really don't enjoy those interactions.

Buffman

It's down to the vehicle category on the VRC, presumably you're still N1 goods vehicle and have to do an annual CVRT instead of the NCT for M1 passenger vehicles, as converting from N1 to M1 is a good bit of hassle and potentially costly with inspections and additional VRT due.

It's a pain alright but continued 'haggling' at the booth might be the least hassle.

HazeDoll

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123458124#Comment_123458124

I thought the change of particulars form did change it from an N1 to M1. A quick google seems to suggest that's how you make the change too. I haven't made any changes to the van itself. Maybe I need to get back to the motor tax office.

I've had exclusively vans for years, it's a sign of the times that I'm only getting annoyed about the high price of the toll now!

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058410418/tolls-in-a-private-van

If I had been that lad I'd have assumed you were taking the p1ss. A van is a van. It's classed as a goods vehicle for toll purposes regardless of whether taxed as private or commercial. You'll never see a toll charge listing that shows Private v Commercial rates. It's always Motor Cars, Motorcycles, Buses or Coaches, and Good Vehicles (sub divided by weight categories).

whisky_galore

Dated, backwards thinking. Same as insurance companies when you don't fit into a neat private car/goods van pigeonhole, it melts their brains, they can't fathom why anyone not a tradie or without business involvement could possibly want a small van. You must be some sort of deviant. (as mentioned they're a lot smaller in size and weight wise than monster SUV so-called "cars" on the roads)