The government has launched a major consultation in to how it can help to preserve classics for future generations.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said that it was keen to support jobs in the historic vehicle industry, which it said supported 113,000 skilled people and is worth £18bn a year.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said: ‘The way that we restore and protect classic cars has not kept up with the times and evolving technologies, which is why we are calling for industry and enthusiasts to have their say on how to best protect these British classics for decades to come.
‘Alongside our record £8.3bn increase to re-surface local roads and the 30-point Plan for Drivers, today’s call for evidence is the latest part of the government’s plan to back drivers, support skilled jobs and grow the economy.’
CCW has already reported on the government’s decision not to review tax exemption for classics aged between 20 and 40 years old – despite a petition on Parliament’s website calling for a review attracting more than 12,000 signatures – and concerns from the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs and Historic Vehicles Alliance about the DVLA handles cases involving older classics.
The DVLA’s chief executive officer, Julie Lennard, said: ‘As evolving technologies continue to improve ways in which classic, historic and re-built vehicles can be modified and restored we want to ensure that we keep the policies and registration processes for these vehicles up to date.
‘This is one of the many ways that we are looking at to make things easier and simpler for our customers and want to encourage enthusiasts and those individuals and organisations with a keen interest and expertise to share their views with us.’
What do you think? Let us know by emailing CCW: editorial@classiccarweekly.co.uk