HGV Road User Levy Act 2013

Charging provisions U.K.

1 Charge to HGV road user levy U.K.

(1) A duty of excise, called HGV road user levy, is charged in respect of any heavy goods vehicle that is used or kept on a road to which this Act applies.

(2) HGV road user levy is to be levied by the Secretary of State.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 1 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

2 Meaning of ““heavy goods vehicle”” U.K.

(1) In this Act “"heavy goods vehicle”” means a mechanically propelled vehicle with a revenue weight of 12,000 kilograms or more, or a heavy motor car within the meaning given by section 185 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, in respect of which vehicle excise duty—

(a) is charged at the rate applicable to the vehicle in accordance with Part 6 (vehicles used for exceptional loads) or Part 8 (goods vehicles) of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (“"the 1994 Act””), or

(b) would be so charged but for an exemption granted on the basis that the vehicle is only temporarily in the United Kingdom.

(2) In this Act—

• “"UK heavy goods vehicle”” means a heavy goods vehicle within subsection (1)(a);

• “"non-UK heavy goods vehicle”” means a heavy goods vehicle within subsection (1)(b).

(3) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1) by substituting a different number of kilograms for the number for the time being specified there.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may make consequential amendments to Schedule 1.

(5) An order under subsection (3) may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before the House of Commons and approved by a resolution of that House.

Commencement Information

I2 S. 2 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

3 Roads to which this Act applies U.K.

(1) This Act applies to public roads in the United Kingdom.

Subject to subsection (2), it applies to all such roads.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order provide—

(a) that this Act does not apply to specified roads, or roads of a specified description, or

(b) that this Act applies only to specified roads, or roads of a specified description.

(3) An order under subsection (2) may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before the House of Commons and approved by a resolution of that House.

(4) In this section ““public road””—

(a) in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, means a road that is repairable at public expense;

(b) in Scotland, has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (see section 151 of that Act).

Commencement Information

I3 S. 3 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

4 Liability for levy U.K.

(1) In the case of a UK heavy goods vehicle—

(a) each person in whose name the vehicle is registered under the 1994 Act is liable for any HGV road user levy in respect of the vehicle, and

(b) any person (not within paragraph (a)) by whom the vehicle is kept is also liable.

(2) In the case of a non-UK heavy goods vehicle—

(a) each person who is the holder of a Community licence in respect of the vehicle is liable for any HGV road user levy in respect of it, and

(b) any person (not within paragraph (a)) by whom the vehicle is kept is also liable.

(3) Where two or more persons are liable for levy in respect of the same vehicle at the same time, their liability is joint and several.

(4) Where a vehicle is stolen from a person liable for levy in respect of it—

(a) the person is exempt from liability after the day of the theft, but

(b) if the person recovers the vehicle, the exemption ceases at the start of the day of the recovery.

(5) Where the person who is liable for levy in respect of a vehicle by reason of subsection (1)(a) sells or disposes of it, the vehicle is treated for the purposes of this section as ceasing to be registered in the person's name at the end of the day of the sale or disposal.

(6) Where the person who is liable for levy in respect of a vehicle by reason of subsection (2)(a) sells or disposes of it, the person is treated for the purposes of this section as ceasing to be the holder of a Community licence in respect of the vehicle at the end of the day of the sale or disposal.

(7) Subsections (4) to (6) do not affect liability for any levy—

(a) paid on or before the day of the theft, sale or disposal, or

(b) due to be paid under section 5 for a period beginning on or before that day.

(8) In this section “"Community licence”” means a licence issued under Regulation (EC) No. 1072/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated 21 October 2009 on common rules for access to the international road haulage market.

Commencement Information

I4 S. 4 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

Payment, rebates, exemptions and reductions U.K.

5 Payment of levy for UK heavy goods vehicles U.K.

(1) This section applies to a UK heavy goods vehicle.

(2) HGV road user levy must be paid for all periods for which the vehicle is charged to vehicle excise duty.

(3) Where vehicle excise duty is paid for a year, the levy must be paid for the same year.

(4) Where vehicle excise duty is paid for 6 months, the levy must be paid for the same 6 months.

(5) Levy for a year is charged at the appropriate rate shown in the column headed ““Yearly rate”” in Table 1 [F1 or Table 1A in Schedule 1 (depending on which of those Tables applies to the vehicle)] .

(6) Levy for 6 months is charged at the appropriate rate shown in the column headed ““Half-yearly rate”” in that Table.

(7) The appropriate rate depends on what Band the vehicle is in, and this is given by paragraphs 2 to 4 of that Schedule and Tables 2 to 5.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 5(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 60(9) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 60(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 5(2) excluded (22.7.2020) by Finance Act 2020 (c. 14), s. 88(1)(3)

Commencement Information

I5 S. 5 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

6 Payment of levy for non-UK heavy goods vehicles U.K.

(1) This section applies to a non-UK heavy goods vehicle.

(2) HGV road user levy must be paid in respect of each day on which the vehicle is used or kept on a road to which this Act applies.

(3) It may be paid for a period of one year, or any shorter period, chosen by the person paying the levy.

(4) Levy for a year is charged at the appropriate rate shown in the column headed ““Yearly rate”” in Table 1 [F2 or Table 1A in Schedule 1 (depending on which of those Tables applies to the vehicle)].

(5) Levy for—

(a) a period of 6 months, or

(b) 6 months out of a longer period,

is charged at the appropriate rate shown in the column headed ““Half-yearly rate”” in that Table.

(6) Levy for—

(a) one or more whole months (fewer than 6), or

(b) so much of a period (not taken into account under subsection (5)) as comprises one or more whole months,

is charged at the appropriate rate shown in the column headed ““Monthly rate”” in that Table.

(7) Levy for—

(a) a period (less than a month) of one or more whole weeks, or

(b) so much of a period (not taken into account under subsection (5) or (6)) as comprises one or more whole weeks,

is charged at the appropriate rate shown in the column headed ““Weekly rate”” in that Table.

(8) Levy for—

(a) a period (less than a week) of one or more days, or

(b) so much of a period as is not taken into account under subsection (5), (6) or (7),

is charged at the appropriate rate shown in the column headed ““Daily rate”” in that Table.

(9) The appropriate rate depends on what Band the vehicle is in, and this is given by paragraphs 2 to 4 of that Schedule and Tables 2 to 5.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 6(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 60(9) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 60(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 6(2) excluded (22.7.2020) by Finance Act 2020 (c. 14), s. 88(2)(3)

Commencement Information

I6 S. 6 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

7 Rebate of levy U.K.

(1) Where—

(a) HGV road user levy has been paid in respect of a vehicle for a period of more than one month (““the levy period””), and

(b) a rebate entitlement arises more than one month before the end of the levy period,

the person who paid the levy is entitled to the appropriate rebate of levy on making an application to the Secretary of State.

(2) A rebate entitlement arises in the following cases—

(a) the vehicle is stolen;

(b) the vehicle is destroyed and the person who paid the levy notifies the Secretary of State of that fact;

(c) the person who paid the levy notifies the Secretary of State that the vehicle is not intended to be used or kept on a road to which this Act applies at any time during the rest of the levy period;

(d) the vehicle has been sold or disposed of and the person who paid the levy provides the Secretary of State with prescribed information, in the prescribed manner, in relation to the sale or disposal.

[F3 (2A) A rebate entitlement also arises where—

(a) HGV road user levy has been paid in respect of a vehicle at the rate applicable to a vehicle that does not meet Euro 6 emissions standards, and

(b) the vehicle becomes a vehicle that meets those standards.]

(3) The appropriate rebate where the levy was paid for a whole year is—

where—

A is one-tenth of the amount paid;

B is the number of months in the period beginning with the start of the levy period and ending with the date of the application, rounded up (if not an exact number of months) to the next whole number.

(4) The appropriate rebate in any other case is—

where—

C is one-tenth of the amount that was the yearly rate of levy for the vehicle at the start of the levy period;

D is the number of whole months in the period beginning with the day after the date of the application and ending with the end of the levy period.

(5) The Secretary of State may specify conditions with which a person must comply before making an application for a rebate.

(6) The conditions that may be specified include (in particular)—

(a) a condition requiring that information which has to be provided to the Secretary of State is transmitted by specified electronic means;

(b) in a case within subsection (2)(a), conditions relating to the reporting to the police that the vehicle has been stolen.

(7) The Secretary of State may specify an administration fee for an application for a rebate of HGV road user levy, to be deducted from the rebate.

(8) No rebate is due—

(a) where a fee is specified under subsection (7) and the amount given by subsection (3) or (4) is less than the amount of the fee;

(b) where subsection (3) applies and the amount given by that subsection is nil or a negative amount.

(9) Matters specified under this section must be published in whatever way the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.

(10) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for rebates of HGV road user levy in circumstances other than those set out in this section.

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 7(2A) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 60(9) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 60(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 7 modified (22.7.2020) by Finance Act 2020 (c. 14), s. 88(4)

Commencement Information

I7 S. 7 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

8 Exemptions and reductions U.K.

(1) HGV road user levy is not charged in respect of vehicles within paragraph 9(2) of Schedule 1 to the 1994 Act (certain rigid goods vehicles charged to vehicle excise duty at the basic goods vehicle rate).

(2) HGV road user levy is not charged in respect of a vehicle for a period during which the vehicle is licensed by a licence under section 11 of the 1994 Act (trade licences).

(3) Regulations may provide for HGV road user levy not to be charged, or to be charged at a reduced rate, in respect of prescribed categories of heavy goods vehicle.

Commencement Information

I8 S. 8 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

Collection and enforcement U.K.

9 Collection of levy U.K.

(1) For the purpose of levying HGV road user levy the Secretary of State and his or her officers (including any individual or body authorised by the Secretary of State to act as his or her agent for the purposes of this Act) have the same powers, duties and liabilities as the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and their officers have with respect to—

(a) duties of excise (other than duties on imported goods), and

(b) other matters (except matters relating only to duties on imported goods),

under the enactments relating to duties of excise.

(2) The enactments relating to duties of excise or punishment and penalties in connection with those duties (other than enactments relating only to duties on imported goods) apply accordingly.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) have effect subject to the provisions of this Act (including in particular, in the case of subsection (2), subsection (4) of this section, section 11(3) and paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2).

(4) HGV road user levy is to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Commencement Information

I9 S. 9 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

10 Power to stop U.K.

(1) A stopping officer may direct the driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle in Great Britain to stop the vehicle if it appears to the officer that the vehicle might be a heavy goods vehicle.

(2) The power conferred by subsection (1) is exercisable for the purpose of enabling checks to be carried out to establish whether any HGV road user levy is unpaid in respect of the vehicle.

(3) In this section “"stopping officer”” means an officer appointed under section 66B of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Commencement Information

I10 S. 10 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

11 Offence of using or keeping heavy goods vehicle if levy not paid U.K.

(1) If a person uses a heavy goods vehicle on a road to which this Act applies, or keeps a heavy goods vehicle on any such road, on a day in respect of which the HGV road user levy charged in respect of the vehicle has not been paid—

(a) that person commits an offence, and

(b) each person (not within paragraph (a)) who is liable for the levy also commits an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(3) A fine imposed under this section that would not otherwise be paid into the Consolidated Fund is to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Commencement Information

I11 S. 11 in force for specified purposes at 30.1.2014 by S.I. 2014/175, art. 2

I12 S. 11 in force in so far as not already in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

12 Legal proceedings U.K.

Schedule 2 (legal proceedings) has effect.

Commencement Information

I13 S. 12 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

13 Fixed penalties U.K.

In Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (fixed penalty offences), at the end there is inserted—

“Offence under the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 (c. 7)

Section 11 of the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013

Using or keeping heavy goods vehicle if HGV road user levy not paid.”

Commencement Information

I14 S. 13 in force for specified purposes at 30.1.2014 by S.I. 2014/175, art. 2

I15 S. 13 in force in so far as not already in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

Miscellaneous U.K.

14 Register of levy paid or due to be paid U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State must set up and keep a register of the heavy goods vehicles in respect of which HGV road user levy has been paid.

(2) In relation to each vehicle the register must show—

(a) the registration number;

(b) the country or territory under the law of which the vehicle is registered;

(c) the period in respect of which levy has been paid or, in the case of UK heavy goods vehicles, the date from which levy is next due to be paid.

(3) The information referred to in subsection (2) must be shown on a website that is, and indicates that it is, kept by or on behalf of the Secretary of State.

(4) The website must be free to view.

(5) Neither the register nor the website need include entries for vehicles in respect of which levy has been paid only for periods that have expired.

Commencement Information

I16 S. 14 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797 , art. 2

[F4 14A Disclosure of information by Revenue and Customs U.K.

(1) Information which is held as mentioned in section 18(1) of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (confidentiality) may be disclosed by or with the authority of the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to—

(a) the Secretary of State, or

(b) a person providing services to the Secretary of State,

for the purpose of enabling or assisting the exercise of any of the Secretary of State's functions under or by virtue of this Act.

(2) Information disclosed in accordance with subsection (1) may not be further disclosed except—

(a) to any other person to whom it could have been disclosed in accordance with that subsection, or

(b) with the consent of the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (which may be general or specific).

(3) If, in contravention of subsection (2), any revenue and customs information relating to a person is disclosed and the identity of the person—

(a) is specified in the disclosure, or

(b) can be deduced from it,

section 19 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (offence of wrongful disclosure) applies as it applies in relation to a disclosure of such information in contravention of section 20(9) of that Act.

(4) In subsection (3) “revenue and customs information relating to a person” has the meaning given by section 19(2) of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.

(5) Nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure which contravenes [F5 the data protection legislation].

[F6 (6) In this section, “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act).]]

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 14A inserted (17.7.2014) by Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), s. 93(1)

F5 Words in s. 14A(5) substituted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 179(2) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

F6 S. 14A(6) inserted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 179(3) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

15 HGV road user levy and vehicle licences U.K.

(1) In section 7 of the 1994 Act (issue of vehicle licences), after subsection (5) there is inserted—

“(5A) The Secretary of State is not required to issue a vehicle licence for a heavy goods vehicle if not satisfied that the appropriate HGV road user levy has been paid.”

(2) In subsection (8) of that section, for ““section ““special vehicle”””” there is substituted “section—

“”the appropriate HGV road user levy”, in relation to a vehicle licence, means the HGV road user levy charged for the period for which the licence would have effect;

“"heavy goods vehicle”” has the same meaning as in the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013;

““special vehicle”””.

Commencement Information

I17 S. 15 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

16 Power to install equipment for detection of offences under section 11 U.K.

(1) In section 95A of the Highways Act 1980 (power of highway authority to install equipment for detection of traffic offences)—

(a) in the sidenote, after ““traffic offences”” there is inserted “ etc ”;

(b) in the body of the section, after ““traffic offences”” there is inserted “ or offences under section 11 of the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 (using or keeping heavy goods vehicle if HGV road user levy not paid) ”.

(2) In section 49A of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (power of roads authority to install equipment for detection of traffic offences)—

(a) in the sidenote and in the preceding cross-heading, after ““traffic offences”” there is inserted “ etc ”;

(b) in the body of the section, after ““traffic offences”” there is inserted “ or offences under section 11 of the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 (using or keeping heavy goods vehicle if HGV road user levy not paid) ”.

(3) In Article 65A of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/3160 (N.I. 15)) (power of Department to install equipment for detection of traffic offences)—

(a) in the heading, after ““traffic offences”” there is inserted “ etc ”;

(b) in the body of the Article, after ““traffic offences”” there is inserted “ or offences under section 11 of the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 (using or keeping heavy goods vehicle if HGV road user levy not paid) ”.

Commencement Information

I18 S. 16 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/797, art. 2

Regulations and orders U.K.

17 Regulations U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations generally for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

(2) Regulations under this Act—

(a) may make different provision for different cases or circumstances (including different provision for UK heavy goods vehicles and non-UK heavy goods vehicles);

(b) may make different provision for different parts of the United Kingdom;

(c) may provide for exemption from any provision of the regulations;

(d) may make incidental, consequential, supplementary, transitional, transitory or saving provision.

(3) Nothing in any other provision of this Act limits subsections (1) and (2).

(4) A power under this Act to make regulations is exercisable by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument.

(5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this Act is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.

18 Orders U.K.

(1) An order under this Act may make transitional, transitory or saving provision.

(2) A power under this Act to make an order is exercisable by statutory instrument.

General U.K.

19 Interpretation U.K.

(1) In this Act—

• “"the 1994 Act”” means the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994;

• ““heavy goods vehicle””, ““UK heavy goods vehicle”” and ““non-UK heavy goods vehicle”” each has the meaning given in section 2;

• “"prescribed”” means prescribed by regulations;

• “"revenue weight”” has the same meaning as in the 1994 Act (see section 60A of that Act).

(2) Regulations under paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 to the 1994 Act (under which goods vehicles are in some cases treated as having a lower revenue weight for the purposes of Part 8 of that Schedule) have effect also for the purposes of this Act.

(3) For the purposes of this Act—

(a) HGV road user levy is paid in respect of a particular day if the levy charged in respect of the vehicle in question is paid either for that day or for a period which includes that day;

(b) where a person receives a rebate of levy in respect of a vehicle [F7 as a result of an entitlement arising under section 7(2)], the person is treated as not having paid levy in respect of the vehicle for the period starting with the day after the date of the application for the rebate and ending with the end of the levy period.

[F8 (c) where a person receives a rebate of levy in respect of a vehicle as a result of an entitlement arising under section 7(2A), the person is treated as not having paid levy in respect of the vehicle for the period starting with the first day of the month after the month in which the application for a rebate was made and ending with the end of the levy period.]

[F9 (4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), a month starts on the day of the month on which the levy period started.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in s. 19(3)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 60(9) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 60(5)(a)(i)

F8 S. 19(3)(c) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 60(9) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 60(5)(a)(ii)

F9 S. 19(4) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 60(9) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 60(5)(b)

20 Extent U.K.

This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, except that an amendment by this Act of another enactment has the same extent as the enactment amended.

21 Commencement U.K.

(1) This Act comes into force in accordance with provision made by order by the Secretary of State.

(2) Different provision may be made under subsection (1) for different purposes.

In particular, different transitional provision (made by virtue of section 18(1)) may be made for UK heavy goods vehicles and non-UK heavy goods vehicles.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to sections 17 to 22 (which accordingly come into force on the day on which this Act is passed).

22 Short title U.K.

This Act may be cited as the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013.