Legislation - Page 11

The Government will launch a new consultation this summer with the intention of increasing the penalties for vehicles left idling.

The Licence Bureau is warning fleet operators and drivers to ensure they understand the law relating to towing loads.

But tax office says new pay reporting option could have skewed figures, with fall much less than suggested.

Lifestyle 4x4 vehicles are an increasingly popular tax efficient choice for company car drivers, claims Cap HPI.

Employees in increasing numbers are opting to take cash in lieu of a company car amid year-on-year rises in company car tax, risking the Government’s green agenda.

By Alastair Kendrick specialist employment tax adviser

Defining when a vehicle is a van or a company car for tax purposes remains “hopelessly unclear”, according to accountancy firm RSM.

Fleet decision-makers are being urged to attend ACFO’s spring seminar next Wednesday (March 27) to gain clarity on a number of topical issues.

Fleets are being reminded that drivers may need an international driving permit (IDP) if they are going to drive abroad in the event of a no deal Brexit.

ACFO is urging the Government to adopt a six-point action plan to protect and enhance company car demand.

The Freight Transport Association has published the 2019 edition of its Yearbook of Road Transport Law.

By Dan Rees, associate director, head of cars and fleet consulting at Deloitte

Lex Autolease believes the number of company car taxpayers could drop from 940,000 to 832,000 by April 2020 as a result of OpRA tax changes and WLTP.

Driving under the influence costs lives. Andrew Don looks at the law and the policies fleet operators should implement

Tusker, one of the country’s leading providers of cars via salary sacrifice maintains it remains a “unique and valuable” benefit for employees.

Organisations and drivers who take on new zero emission, ultra low emission and other alternatively fuelled vans will benefit from ongoing incentives under Government plans to reform the van vehicle excise duty system.

BVLRA has welcomed the Government’s decision not to introduce an emissions-based regime for van vehicle excise duty until at least April 2021.

The Budget was a “waste of golden opportunity” to provide clarity and stability to fleet decision-makers on future company car benefit-in-kind tax rates, says ACFO.

Meridian Vehicle Solutions has called on the vehicle rental sector to unite to urge the Government to reform Vehicle Excise Duty.

The FTA provides guidance on what the different colours used on flashing lights denote, with a Q&A from Eamonn Brennan.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) is playing down suggestions from its roads policing lead that drivers could be fined for breaking the speed limit by just 1mph.

The FTA looks at the latest issues to affect vans and trucks. Here, it provides guidance on banksman signals and contraflow systems.

The FTA looks at the latest issues to affect vans and trucks, with a Q&A from Eamonn Brennan

Tusker is urging the fleet industry to sign an online petition calling for the Government to bring forward the implementation of a 2% BIK tax for electric vehicles.

Insurance, maintenance, tyres and breakdown cover could now be taxed when provided via a so-called Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OpRA).

The fleet industry needs to form stronger links with the Government to avoid a repeat of the uncertainty currently engulfing the sector, says Meridian Vehicle Solutions.

Legal firm DAC Beachcroft and Anthony Jones Insurance Brokers are reminding fleets of the need to protect their driver's interests, as well as the interests of their organisation.

Despite Brexit, vans of 2.5 tonnes-plus may still have to comply with EU rules, especially when deliveries take them across the border. By Steve Banner

Alphabet has launched a 'Business Briefings' initiative to help inform fleet-decision makers on topical and key issues.

There were 940,000 employees paying benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax on a company car in 2016/17 – a 2% fall on the 960,000 recorded the previous financial year.

Average figure paid per employee increases by 27% year-on-year, says HMRC.

Vehicles ‘disappearing’ off price lists while they get re-tested and fleets complain that future tax implications are unclear.

Figures from the RAC show fleet decision-makers had some respite at the pumps in June, with the average price of diesel and petrol falling.

Ensuring employees from overseas are legally allowed to drive company vehicles can be a complicated task. Andrew Don reports

By Matthew Oakley, director at WPI Economics

Different tax regimes across different European countries make a uniform pan-European fleet policy virtually impossible, says a new taxation guide.

The Home Office has launched a consultation to provide Police officers with greater legal protection when perusing criminals on the road.

This month, the FTA's Member Advice Centre has been inundated with questions - here are a few highlights answered by FTA manager of van information Eamonn Brennan.

Government wants vehicle excise duty (VED) for vans to be graduated according to their emissions in the same way it is for cars.

A car mechanic, who set up two firms ‘selling’ alcohol as a front for a £5.3 million money laundering scam, has been jailed for six years.