5(1)The annual rate of vehicle excise duty applicable to a recovery vehicle [is—
(a)if it has a revenue weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms and not exceeding 12,000 kilograms, the same as the basic goods vehicle rate;
(b)if it has a revenue weight exceeding 12,000 kilograms and not exceeding 25,000 kilograms, 300 per cent. of the basic goods vehicle rate;
(c)if it has a revenue weight exceeding 25,000 kilograms, 500 per cent. of the basic goods vehicle rate.]
(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “recovery vehicle” means a vehicle which is constructed or permanently adapted primarily for any one or more of the purposes of lifting, towing and transporting a disabled vehicle.
(3)A vehicle is not a recovery vehicle if at any time it is used for a purpose other than—
(a)the recovery of a disabled vehicle,
(b)the removal of a disabled vehicle from the place where it became disabled to premises at which it is to be repaired or scrapped,
(c)the removal of a disabled vehicle from premises to which it was taken for repair to other premises at which it is to be repaired or scrapped,
(d)carrying fuel and other liquids required for its propulsion and tools and other articles required for the operation of, or in connection with, apparatus designed to lift, tow or transport a disabled vehicle, and
(e)any purpose prescribed for the purposes of this sub-paragraph by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(4)At any time when a vehicle is being used for either of the purposes specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of sub-paragraph (3), use for—
(a)the carriage of a person who, immediately before the vehicle became disabled, was the driver of or a passenger in the vehicle,
(b)the carriage of any goods which, immediately before the vehicle became disabled, were being carried in the vehicle, or
(c)any purpose prescribed for the purposes of this sub-paragraph by regulations made by the Secretary of State,
shall be disregarded in determining whether the vehicle is a recovery vehicle.
(5)A vehicle is not a recovery vehicle if at any time the number of vehicles which it is used to recover exceeds a number specified for the purposes of this sub-paragraph by an order made by the Secretary of State.
[(5A)A vehicle is not a recovery vehicle if it is a special concessionary vehicle.]
[(6)In sub-paragraph (1) references to the basic goods vehicle rate are to the rate applicable, by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 9, to a rigid goods vehicle which falls within column (3) of the table in that sub-paragraph and has a revenue weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms and not exceeding 7,500 kilograms.
(7)Where an amount arrived at in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (c) is an amount—
(a)which is not a multiple of £10, and
(b)which on division by ten does not produce a remainder of £5,
the rate is the amount arrived at rounded (either up or down) to the nearest amount which is a multiple of £10.
(8)Where an amount arrived at in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (c) is an amount which on division by ten produces a remainder of £5, the rate is the amount arrived at increased by £5.]