Gaining historic status for tax exemption

[BuzzBravado]

Probably been answered many times, so apologies if that is the case.

I have a bike registered 10th May 1978 so thought about getting it changed to historic for tax exemption. I was under the impression it was a rolling 40 years thing, but looking at the DVLA website is seems static at 1st January 1978.


https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles


Does anyone know which way it actually goes?

Thanks

[mgtony]

Can be changed to Historic and tax free from 1st April this year. Anything built in 78 becomes tax free then.

[droopsnoot]

Yes, it is said to be "rolling" but it should really be described as "jumping", in that it jumps forward by a year every April 1st. I think the original rolling exemption (when it was 25 years) used to actually roll on a day-by-day basis, but mine wasn't eligible back then so I am not certain.

The DVLA web site always talks about the situation at this moment, never how it used to be, or how it will be in the future. So you won't see anything on there about the next round of vehicles becoming eligible on April 1st, you'll just see that the page changes on that day to reflect the new date.

[ruhall]

It's typical govt clarity. Assuming it's still the same as it was when I looked last year it's basically 'If on 1st April in year x the vehicle in question was 40 years old as at 1st Jan in year x ', you can apply to change taxation class to historic. So, just confrms what's been said already.

I've just taxed one of mine, it's a 1978 car but isn't eligible for 'free' tax until after 1 st April, by which time it will be almost 41 years old.
Assuming they don't change the rules again, that is.

Why they can't just say '40 years', only they know.

[BuzzBravado]

Thanks everyone. Looks like i've missed it this year by 1 month. Magical.

[droopsnoot]

I *think* if you pay for VED on it now, but it becomes eligible on April 1st, when you apply for historic taxation class you'll get a refund of remaining months.

[mgtony]

You haven't missed it by 1 month. Come April, it will qualify for Historic status. As said, anything built anytime in 78. As Droop says, registering it in April will see a refund for the full months left taxed.