NEWS from.......... As a member club of the FBHVC the EYTCC will endeavour to keep up to date with any relevant news that is considered to be of special interest to EYTCC members.
 As a member club of the FBHVC the   EYTCC will endeavour to keep up to  date   with any relevant news that is considered to   be of special interest to EYTCC members.

About FBHVC

    The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs exists to uphold the freedom to use old vehicles on the road. It does this by representing the interests of owners of
    such vehicles to politicians, government officials, and legislators both in UK and (through membership of Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) in Europe.
    FBHVC is a company limited by guarantee, registered number 3842316, and was founded in 1988.
    There are nearly 500 subscriber organisations representing a total membership of over 250,000 in addition to individual and trade supporters.
    Details can be found at www.fbhvc.co.uk or sent on application to the secretary.
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LEGISLATION
 David Hurley
Exempting early vehicles from MoT
 After the extensive article in the last newsletter about the possibility of exempting early vehicles from the MoT test there is little to report on the subject in this issue. The DfT are still engaged in an information gathering exercise in order to prepare both a risk assessment and impact assessment. A formal consultation is some way ahead (we believe this will not be before the end of the year at the earliest) and will require approval from the Minister and internal government procedural bodies before issue.  
Changes to MoT testers' manual
 EU Directive 2010/48/EU of 5 July 2010 updated directive 2009/40/EC that deals with the roadworthiness testing of motor vehicles. The purpose of the update, broadly, was to take account of technical advances in modern vehicle design and to improve consistency in testing standards across the EU. Its requirements are mandatory for member states which have to put in place all regulations necessary to comply with the directive by the end of this year.

This revision exercise does not set new standards for vehicle construction and use, but does increase the number of items that have to be tested. To meet the new requirements, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), is having to revise the wording of the MoT testers' manual and it published its proposed amendments earlier this year in the form of a consultation that was described as a 'review of mandatory changes'.
All the concessions for older vehicles have been carried forward. In all there are 215 rewordings, changes and amendments to the existing manual. Unfortunately these amendments are scattered through the 218 pages of the draft document which has not helped to compile this précis.
Briefly the additional items are:
 Inappropriate repairs/modification to brake systems, steering, suspension, tow bars;
 Power steering fluid level;
 Functionality of steering locks;
 Coloured headlamp lenses which reduce performance of beam;
Operation of tell-tale headlamp warning light when fitted (for vehicles without this equipment a note accepts a date exemption);
 Speedometer (Class 5 only);
 Security of rear doors, locks and hinges;
 Oil leaks from steering box etc;
 Ball joint dust cover missing or damaged/insecure allowing ingress of dirt (ball joints which did not have protective covers are not required to be retrofitted);
 Integrity of electrical wiring and battery;
 Operation of electrical systems relating to anti-lock braking, stability control, supplementary restraint systems, together with associated warning lights;
 Security and condition of towing structure – includes balls and pins;
Integrity of tow bar electrical connections – both 7 and 13 pin sockets (tested even if tow bar is missing);
 Condition of engine mountings;
 Front and rear drive shaft and gaiters – includes support bearings;
 Driver’s seat adjustment (if there is any!).
In essence, if items are fitted they must be in good order, which should not raise concerns for responsible owners who maintain vehicles of any age.
One item we have picked up on, and have asked for clarification, concerns vehicles fitted new (or retrofitted) with high intensity discharge and LED headlamps. They will be required to be fitted with a headlamp washing system (wiper not required) and be self levelling. However the new text goes on to accept that some high performance vehicles fitted with HID that have limited luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self levelling system.
It is envisaged that the final version will be available in January 2012.

Rolling 30 year old VED exemption E- petition

 

E-petition to restore a rolling 30 year old exemption to VED

On the face of it, this is an understandable move to eradicate the invidious gap between the VED treatment of pre-1973 vehicles and more modern classics, caused by the actions of Gordon Brown who, when Chancellor, stopped the rolling nature of the Historic VED category. The FBHVC have consistently asked for reinstatement on a thirty year basis (originally it was 25 years) but whilst Labour were in power it proved impossible.

 

Prior to the election last year the Conservatives acknowledged the anomaly and agreed to review it if they gained power, while warning that it would probably need to be fiscally neutral. (That’s before they opened the books!) The political climate (Coalition) and economic situation have deteriorated dramatically since the change of government. With the programme of deficit reduction adversely affecting government spending, including that for vulnerable sections of society, it is, in my personal view, the wrong time to raise the profile of this anomaly and could prejudice any future change for many years.

 

The theory behind e-petitions is that if the petition gets 100,000 signatures, and gets the support of the Backbenchers’ Committee, it will be debated in the Commons. It is inevitable that the coalition would be against change at this juncture since it cuts across the main government policy and would give away revenue to a minority interest. You can also imagine the reaction of the opposition; it would be perceived as giving away revenue to ‘Hooray Henrys’ in their expensive classics whilst at the same time cuts to expenditure on the NHS, Social Services, concessionary fares for OAPs and libraries continue. Issues raised in any debate would leave a lasting bad feeling against our movement and make it politically impossible to change the concession for many years. It is also possible that some opposition members might question the continuing existing concession. It is vitally important to retain public and political support for our movement and to avoid any accusations of being a blinkered self-interested minority. Adverse press coverage would be inevitable.

 

The FBHVC board will debate the merits of this petition at its next meeting on 21 September and no doubt it will also be a topic for discussion during the AGM.