British governement consultation on classic vehicles - have your say

hello,   i dont really know what its asking for is it gathering info for AI, barry

Easy one , We should be asking for a return to the sale of at least one grade of petrol . That devils brew we are currently forced to buy is full of dangerous  elements that no one knows the long term effects of ,appart from the Ethanol issue.

Safe and effective.? 

Hi all,     I think the message behind the phrase "not keeping up with technology" is that the Green Wing would like all classic vehicles to be converted to electric motors or at least hydrogen powered. I am trying to calculate how many batteries it would take to power A.... the Flying Scotsman and B.....a MK IX Spitfire. No doubt all our government ministers will be flying in private jets to the Seychelles to discuss this for us.     

i think if you chucked two or three lithium batterys into the firebox / boiler of the Flying Scotsman, it would fly

This is about two things.  One is converting cars from petrol to electric.  The other is more important to us.  It deals with rules for age related numbers, Q plates, registering rebuilt vehicles etc.  So it is worth looking at and thinking carefully before responding. Currently we are not supposed to alter chassis or frame.  That specifically includes drilling holes!  We are not supposed to even drill a hole for a luggage rack, wiring for lamps, etc etc.  No replacement frame unless made by original manufacturer...it's all a mess. We don't want rules to be so lax that mass evasion is encouraged.  The problem with the "historic vehicle" status is that it becomes attractive to...everyone...so if it's too liberal, we might lose it to a Government that wants to increase taxes massively. Lots to think about.

hello,   my bike is just for a hobby mainly.so if the rules and regulations get to tight i think it will end up hanging on the living room wall mounted by its side car frame lugs. i think that all this will end up with the top notch all correct vehicles worth millions will win out at the end of the day. and anything lower down the scale that doesn't meet the historic criteria right down to the correct nuts and bolts will be rejected and loose its status. barry

The local authorities are where the big risk lies.  That's where the real activists operate.  As we see with them overriding national speed limits and closing roads to everyone apart from their own political friends. The Government consultation mostly asks for views about clearer definitions of historic vehicles and single type approval.  Obvious ones that affect us are cafe racer conversions (including Tritons); restorations of all sorts with period parts or remanufactured (might be later gearbox or carburettor).  I'd like to know why there's no way to find out for certain if the end result of a restoration will be licensed before you have done all the work.  So fill it in...but don't try and demand what we know they won't provide (like 5 star petrol). Q: when will see the first Norton with its engine internals swapped for an electric motor?

can't we have some sort of government inquiry on it. that will take about ten years minimum to sort out. so that will give us some more riding time. probably decisions have already been made and they are now just fine tuning it. who knows.  

It is probably best to read the document before commenting. In many Countries you cannot modify vehicles at all, that is not the case in the UK. We have an interest in the registration of vehicles that have been brought back to life or have been imported. The Club has previously consulted with the DVLA on these issues. The NOC is interested in ensuring that modifications for safety reasons, for example brakes, indicators and lighting do not result ln a bike being only eligible for a Q plate when the above modifications had been made prior to the application for a registration.  As far as I can tell this exercise has nothing to do with fuels or Local Authorities although the latter could, no doubt, engage in the consultation.