HGV Road User Levy Introduced in UK

The Road User Levy was introduced in April 2014 after being announced the previous year. The Department for Transport (DfT) introduced the levy, and it has already earned millions of pounds. But what exactly is it, and what do haulage companies need to know about it?

Guide to the Road User Levy

The Road User Levy was recently introduced in the UK, and it applies to all drivers of HGVs of a certain size. It was brought in by the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013, and applies to any HGVs that are 12 tonnes or more in size. The money it raises will be used to pay for keeping the roads in good condition across the UK.

How It Affects Haulage Companies in the UK

Hauliers in the UK will have to pay the levy from now on, and the payment should be made at the same time as payment of the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). However, the good news is that the VED was reduced at the same time, so companies and drivers should not have to pay any more in total. The levy can be paid once a year, or twice a year every six months, and payment is made to the DVLA.

How It Affects Drivers from Outside the UK

The situation is slightly different for foreign drivers and companies. If vehicles are not registered in the UK, the levy must be paid before entering the country. The amount that is paid is determined by the size of the HGV, and it can be paid in various ways from a daily basis up to an annual basis. The payment is recorded in a database, so authorities can make checks.

Fines for Non-Payment

If you do not pay the levy, it can end up costing a lot of money because fines will apply to any driver who does not make the payment. Indeed, hundreds of fines were issued in the first few weeks alone after the levy came into effect in April 2014. But be aware that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is enforcing it, and if they find that you have not paid when you should have, this could lead to a fine.

For UK-registered drivers, the fine for non-payment is £300. This could turn out to be a significant cost for haulage companies that have a number of vehicles in their fleet.

Another Thing for Hauliers to Remember

This levy will, hopefully, be a good way to maintain the quality of the UK’s roads for all drivers, but it is yet another thing for hauliers and haulage companies to think about. If you regularly work in the UK, don’t forget to pay and avoid the risk of being fined.

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