Section 90: Definition of “Revenue Weight”
Summary
1.This section amends the definition of vehicle weight in the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (VERA), consequent to revised secondary legislation specifying that goods vehicle operating weights are up to, but do not include the exact weight displayed on the plate affixed to a vehicle or a trailer.
Details of the Section
2.Subsection (2) provides that the confirmed maximum weight of a vehicle, for the purpose of defining the vehicle’s revenue weight, is determined if it has a plated gross weight or a plated train weight and meets the conditions introduced to VERA by the subsection.
3.Subsection (3) provides that a reference in VERA to the plated gross weight of a goods vehicle or trailer is a reference to the maximum gross weight which may not be equalled or exceeded.
Background Note
4.VED rates for goods vehicles licensed in the United Kingdom are being reduced and restructured to offset the cost of HGV Road User Levy rates which will begin to take effect from 1 April 2014. To ensure that the cost of the Levy can be offset to the greatest extent, the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 are being amended. This will mean that a goods vehicle with a plated weight will be able to be loaded up to but not including that weight. For example, a vehicle plated at 21,000kg will be able to be loaded to around 20,999.99kg. This section aligns VERA with that change.
5.The Levy only applies to goods vehicles weighing 12,000kg or more, and is intended to introduce a fairer arrangement for UK hauliers by ensuring that foreign hauliers pay to use roads in the UK.
