Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994

Section 5.

SCHEDULE 2U.K. Exempt vehicles

Electrically propelled vehiclesU.K.

F11U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2 Old vehiclesU.K.

F31A(1)Subject to sub-paragraph (2), a vehicle is an exempt vehicle at any time if it was constructed [F4before 1st January 1973]].U.K.

(2)A vehicle is not an exempt vehicle by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) if—

(a)an annual rate is specified in respect of it by any provision of Part III, V, VI, VII or VIII of Schedule 1; or

(b)it is a special vehicle, within the meaning of Part IV of Schedule 1, which—

(i)falls within sub-paragraph (3) or (4); and

(ii)is not a digging machine, mobile crane, [F5mobile pumping vehicle,] works truck or road roller.

(3)A vehicle falls within this sub-paragraph if—

(a)it is designed or adapted for use for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description;

(b)it is put to a commercial use on a public road; and

(c)that use is not a use for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description.

(4)A vehicle falls within this sub-paragraph if—

(a)it is designed or adapted for use with a semi-trailer attached;

(b)it is put to a commercial use on a public road; and

(c)in a case where that use is a use with a semi-trailer attached, the semi-trailer is not used for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description.

(5)In sub-paragraph (2) “digging machine”, “mobile crane”[F6, “mobile pumping vehicle”] and “works truck” have the same meanings as in paragraph 4 of Schedule 1.

(6)In sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) “commercial use” means use for hire or reward or for or in connection with a trade or business.

TramsU.K.

2U.K.A vehicle used on tram lines is an exempt vehicle.

[F7 Electrically assisted pedal cyclesU.K.

F82A(1)An electrically assisted pedal cycle is an exempt vehicle.U.K.

(2)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) an electrically assisted pedal cycle is a vehicle of a class complying with such requirements as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this paragraph.]

Vehicles not for carriageU.K.

3U.K.A vehicle which is not constructed or adapted for use, or used, for the carriage of a driver or passenger is an exempt vehicle.

[F9 Police vehiclesU.K.

F103AU.K.A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used for police purposes.]

Fire engines etc.U.K.

4(1)A fire engine is an exempt vehicle.E+W

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “fire engine” means a vehicle which—

(a)is constructed or adapted for use for the purpose of fire fighting or salvage (or both), and

[F11(b)is used solely for purposes in relation to which a fire and rescue authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 has functions (whoever uses it for those purposes).]

4(1)A fire engine is an exempt vehicle.S

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “fire engine” means a vehicle which—

(a)is constructed or adapted for use for the purpose of fire fighting or salvage (or both), and

[F85(b)is used solely for purposes in relation to which a relevant authority (as defined in section 6 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 5)) has functions (whoever uses it for those purposes).]

4(1)A fire engine is an exempt vehicle.N.I.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “fire engine” means a vehicle which—

(a)is constructed or adapted for use for the purpose of fire fighting or salvage (or both), and

[F86(b)is used solely for purposes in relation to which the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Board established under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 has functions (whoever uses it for those purposes);]

5E+WA vehicle which is kept by a [F12fire and rescue authority] is an exempt vehicle when it is being used or kept on a road for the purposes of the authority’s [F13functions] service.

5SA vehicle which is kept by a [F87relevant authority (as defined in section 6 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 5))] is an exempt vehicle when it is being used or kept on a road for the purposes of the authority’s [F88functions.]

5N.I.A vehicle which is kept by the [F89the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Board] is an exempt vehicle when it is being used or kept on a road for the purposes of the [F90Board's functions].

Ambulances and health service vehiclesU.K.

6(1)An ambulance is an exempt vehicle.U.K.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “ambulance” means a vehicle which—

(a)is constructed or adapted for, and used for no purpose other than, the carriage of sick, injured or disabled people to or from welfare centres or places where medical or dental treatment is given, and

(b)is readily identifiable as a vehicle used for the carriage of such people by being marked “Ambulance” on both sides.

7U.K.A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used or kept on a road by—

(a)a health service body (as defined in section 60(7) of the M1National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990) or a health and social services body (as defined in Article 7(6) of the M2Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991), or

(b)a National Health Service trust established under [F14the National Health Service Act 2006, the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006] or the M3National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 or a Health and Social Services Trust established under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 [F15or

[F16(ba)an NHS foundation trust, or]

F17(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ][F18 ...

(d)a Primary Care Trust established under [F19section 18 of the National Health Service Act 2006],] [F20or

(e)a Local Health Board established under [F21section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006]] [F22or

[F23(f)the Care Quality Commission.]]

8U.K.A vehicle which is made available by the Secretary of State [F24or the Welsh Ministers]—

(a)to a person, body or local authority under [F25section 12 or 80 of the National Health Service Act 2006, or section 10 or 38 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006] , or

(b)to a local authority, education authority or voluntary organisation in Scotland under section 15 or 16 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978,

and which is used in accordance with the terms on which it is so made available is an exempt vehicle.

9(1)A veterinary ambulance is an exempt vehicle.U.K.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “veterinary ambulance” means a vehicle which—

(a)is used for no purpose other than the carriage of sick or injured animals to or from places where veterinary treatment is given, and

(b)is readily identifiable as a vehicle used for the carriage of such animals by being marked “Veterinary Ambulance” on both sides.

Mine rescue vehicles etc.U.K.

10U.K.A vehicle used solely—

(a)as a mine rescue vehicle, or

(b)for the purpose of conveying or drawing emergency winding-gear at a mine,

is an exempt vehicle.

Lifeboat vehiclesU.K.

11U.K.A vehicle used or kept on a road for no purpose other than the haulage of a lifeboat and the conveyance of the necessary gear of the lifeboat which is being hauled is an exempt vehicle.

Road construction and maintenance vehiclesU.K.

F2612U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2713U.K.A road roller is an exempt vehicle.

F2814U.K.A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is—

(a)being used,

(b)going to or from the place where it is to be or has been used, or

(c)being kept for use,

for the purpose of clearing snow from public roads by means of a snow plough or similar device (whether or not forming part of the vehicle).

F2915U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3016U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3117U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vehicles for disabled peopleU.K.

18U.K.A vehicle (including a cycle with an attachment for propulsion by mechanical power) which—

(a)is adapted, and used or kept on a road, for an invalid, and

(b)does not exceed 508 kilograms in weight unladen,

is an exempt vehicle.

19(1)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used, or kept for use, by or for the purposes of a disabled person who satisfies sub-paragraph (2) if—U.K.

(a)the vehicle is registered under this Act in the name of the disabled person, and

(b)no other vehicle registered in his name under this Act is an exempt vehicle under this paragraph or paragraph 7 of Schedule 4.

(2)A disabled person satisfies this sub-paragraph if—

(a)he is in receipt of a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the mobility component at the higher rate,

(b)he is in receipt of a mobility supplement, or

(c)he has obtained, or is eligible for, a grant under—

[F32(i)paragraph 2 of Schedule 20 to the National Health Service Act 2006 or paragraph 2 of Schedule 15 to the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006,]

(ii)section 46(3) of the M4National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, or

(iii)Article 30(3) of the M5Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972,

in relation to the vehicle.

[F33(2A)This paragraph shall have effect as if a person were in receipt of a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the mobility component at the higher rate in any case where—

(a)he has ceased to be in receipt of it as a result of having ceased to satisfy a condition of receiving the allowance or of receiving the mobility component at that rate;

(b)that condition is either—

(i)a condition relating to circumstances in which he is undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution; or

(ii)a condition specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State;

and

(c)he would continue to be entitled to receive the mobility component of the allowance at the higher rate but for his failure to satisfy that condition.]

(3)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) a vehicle is deemed to be registered under this Act in the name of a person in receipt of a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the mobility component at the higher rate, or of a mobility supplement, if it is so registered in the name of—

(a)an appointee, or

(b)a person nominated for the purposes of this paragraph by the person or an appointee.

(4)In sub-paragraph (3) “appointee” means—

(a)a person appointed pursuant to regulations made under (or having effect as if made under) the M6Social Security Administration Act 1992 or the M7Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 to exercise any of the rights and powers of a person in receipt of a disability living allowance, or

(b)a person to whom a mobility supplement is paid for application for the benefit of another person in receipt of the supplement.

(5)In this paragraph “mobility supplement” means a mobility supplement under—

(a)a scheme under the M8Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act 1939, or

(b)an Order in Council under section 12 of the M9Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1977,

or a payment appearing to the Secretary of State to be of a similar kind and specified for the purposes of this paragraph by an order made by him.

20(1)A vehicle (other than an ambulance within the meaning of paragraph 6) used for the carriage of disabled people by a body for the time being recognised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this paragraph is an exempt vehicle.U.K.

(2)The Secretary of State shall recognise a body for the purposes of this paragraph if, on an application made to him in such manner as he may specify, it appears to him that the body is concerned with the care of disabled people.

(3)The issue by the Secretary of State of a nil licence in respect of a vehicle under this paragraph is to be treated as recognition by him for the purposes of this paragraph of the body by reference to whose use of the vehicle the document is issued.

F34(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)The Secretary of State may withdraw recognition of a body for the purposes of this paragraph if it appears to him that the body is no longer concerned with the care of disabled people.

[F35 Vehicles used between different parts of landU.K.

F3620AU.K.A vehicle is an exempt vehicle if—

(a)it is used only for purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture or forestry,

(b)it is used on public roads only in passing between different areas of land occupied by the same person, and

(c)the distance it travels on public roads in passing between any two such areas does not exceed 1.5 kilometres.]

TractorsU.K.

[F3720B(1)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle if it is—

(a)an agricultural tractor, or

(b)an off-road tractor.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “agricultural tractor” means a tractor used on public roads solely for purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture, forestry or activities falling within sub-paragraph (3).

(3)The activities falling within this sub-paragraph are—

(a)cutting verges bordering public roads;

(b)cutting hedges or trees bordering public roads or bordering verges which border public roads.

(4)In sub-paragraph (1) “off-road tractor” means a tractor which is not an agricultural tractor (within the meaning given by sub-paragraph (2)) and which is—

(a)designed and constructed primarily for use otherwise than on roads, and

(b)incapable by reason of its construction of exceeding a speed of twenty-five miles per hour on the level under its own power.]

Light agricultural vehiclesU.K.

[F3820C(1)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle if it is a light agricultural vehicle.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “light agricultural vehicle” means a vehicle which—

(a)has a revenue weight not exceeding 1,000 kilograms,

(b)is designed and constructed so as to seat only the driver,

(c)is designed and constructed primarily for use otherwise than on roads, and

(d)is used solely for purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture or forestry.]

Agricultural enginesU.K.

[F3920DAn agricultural engine is an exempt vehicle.]

Mowing machinesU.K.

[F4020EA mowing machine is an exempt vehicle.]

Steam powered vehiclesU.K.

[F4120FA steam powered vehicle is an exempt vehicle.]

Electrically propelled vehiclesU.K.

[F4220GAn electrically propelled vehicle is an exempt vehicle.]

Snow ploughsU.K.

[F4320HA vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is—

(a)being used,

(b)going to or from the place where it is to be or has been used, or

(c)being kept for use,

for the purpose of clearing snow from public roads by means of a snow plough or similar device (whether or not forming part of the vehicle).]

GrittersU.K.

[F4420JA vehicle is an exempt vehicle if it is constructed or adapted, and used, solely for the conveyance of machinery for spreading material on roads to deal with frost, ice or snow (with or without articles or material used for the purposes of the machinery).]

Vehicles used for short journeys between different parts of person’s landU.K.

F4521U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vehicle testing etc.U.K.

22(1)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used solely for the purpose of—U.K.

(a)submitting it (by previous arrangement for a specified time on a specified date) for a compulsory test [F46, a vehicle identity check][F47, a vehicle weight test or a reduced pollution test], or

(b)bringing it away from [F48any such test][F49or check].

[F50(1A)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used solely for the purpose of—

(a)taking it (by previous arrangement for a specified time on a specified date) for a relevant re-examination, or

(b)bringing it away from such a re-examination.]

(2)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used by an authorised person in the course of a compulsory test [F51, a vehicle weight test [F52or a vehicle identity check or][F53, a reduced pollution test] or a relevant re-examination and is being so used]solely for the purpose of—

(a)taking it to, or bringing it away from, a place where a part of the test [F54, check][F55or re-examination] is to be, or has been, carried out, or

(b)carrying out a part of the test [F54, check][F55or re-examination].

[F56(2A)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used by an authorised person solely for the purpose of warming up its engine in preparation for the carrying out of—

(a)a compulsory test [F57or a reduced pollution test], or

(b)a relevant re-examination that is to be carried out for the purposes of an appeal relating to a determination made on a compulsory test [F57or a reduced pollution test].]

(3)Where the relevant certificate is refused on a compulsory test [F58, or a reduced pollution test,]of a vehicle [F59or as a result of a relevant re-examination,] the vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used solely for the purpose of—

(a)delivering it (by previous arrangement for a specified time on a specified date) at a place where relevant work is to be done on it, or

(b)bringing it away from a place where relevant work has been done on it.

(4)In this paragraph “compulsory test” means, as respects England and Wales and Scotland—

(a)in the case of a vehicle for which by virtue of section 66(3) of the M10Road Traffic Act 1988 a vehicle licence cannot be granted unless certain requirements are satisfied, an examination such as is specified in sub-paragraph (5), and

(b)otherwise, an examination under section 45 of the M11Road Traffic Act 1988 with a view to obtaining a test certificate without which a vehicle licence cannot be granted for the vehicle.

(5)The examinations referred to in sub-paragraph (4)(a) are—

[F60(a)an examination under regulations under section 49(1)(b) or (c) of the M12Road Traffic Act 1988 (examination as to compliance with construction and use or safety requirements)]

(b)an examination for the purposes of sections 54 to 58 of that Act (examination as to a F61. . . vehicle’s compliance with type approval requirements), [F62and]

F63(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)an examination under regulations under section 61(2)(a) of that Act (examinations in connection with alterations to F61. . . vehicles subject to type approval requirements).

[F64(6)In this paragraph “compulsory test” means, as respects Northern Ireland—

(a)an examination to obtain a test certificate under Article 61 of the M13Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 without which a vehicle licence cannot be obtained for the vehicle,

(b)an examination to obtain a goods vehicle test certificate under Article 65 of that Order, or

(c)an examination to obtain a public service vehicle licence under Article 60(1) of the M14Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.]

[F65(6ZA)In this paragraph “a vehicle identity check” means any examination of a vehicle for which provision is made by regulations made by virtue of section 22A(2) of this Act.]

[F66(6A)In this paragraph “a vehicle weight test” means any examination of a vehicle for which provision is made by regulations under—

(a)section 61A of this Act,

(b)section 49(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (tests for selecting plated weights and other plated particulars), or

(c)Article 65(1)(a) of the M15Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

[F67(6AA)In this paragraph “a reduced pollution test” means any examination of a vehicle for which provision is made by regulations under section 61B of this Act.]

(6B)In this paragraph “a relevant re-examination” means any examination or re-examination which is carried out in accordance with any provision or requirement made or imposed for the purposes of an appeal relating to a determination made on a compulsory test [F68, a vehicle identity check][F69, a vehicle weight test or a reduced pollution test].]

(7)In this paragraph “authorised person” means—

(a)in the case of an examination within sub-paragraph (4)(b), a person who is, or is acting on behalf of, an examiner or inspector entitled to carry out such an examination or a person acting under the personal direction of such a person,

(b)in the case of an examination within sub-paragraph (5), an examiner appointed under section 66A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a person carrying out the examination under the direction of such an examiner or a person driving the vehicle in accordance with a requirement to do so under the regulations under which the examination is carried out, F70. . .

[F71(c)in the case of an examination within sub-paragraph (6), an authorised examiner within the meaning of Article 61(3)(a) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 or a vehicle examiner within the meaning of Part III of that Order]

[F72(ca)in the case of an examination of a vehicle for which provision is made by regulations made by virtue of section 22A(2) of this Act, the Secretary of State or a person authorised by him to carry out the examination;]

and

[F73(d)in the case of a relevant re-examination—

(i)the person to whom the appeal in question is made, or

(ii)any person who, by virtue of an appointment made by that person, is authorised by or under any enactment to carry out that re-examination.]

(8)In this paragraph “the relevant certificate” means, as respects England and Wales and Scotland—

(a)a test certificate (as defined in section 45(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988) [F74or],

(b)a goods vehicle test certificate (as defined in section 49 of that Act), or

(c)a type approval certificate or Minister’s approval certificate (as defined in sections 54 to 58 of that Act) [F74or],

[F75(d)a certificate issued by virtue of section 61B of this Act.]

(9)In this paragraph “the relevant certificate” means, as respects Northern Ireland—

[F76(a)a test certificate (within the meaning of Article 61(2) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) [F77or],

(b)a goods vehicle test certificate (within the meaning of Article 65(2) of that Order), or]

(c)a type approval certificate or Department’s approval certificate (within the meaning of Article 31A of that Order) [F77or],

[F78(d)a certificate issued by virtue of section 61B of this Act.]

(10)In this paragraph “relevant work” means—

(a)where the relevant certificate which is refused is a test certificate F79. . ., work done or to be done to remedy for a further compulsory test the defects on the ground of which the relevant certificate was refused, and

(b)in any other case, work done or to be done to remedy the defects on the ground of which the relevant certificate was refused (including work to alter the vehicle in some aspect of design, construction, equipment or marking on account of which the relevant certificate was refused).

Vehicles for exportU.K.

23(1)A vehicle is an exempt vehicle if—U.K.

(a)it has been supplied to the person keeping it by a taxable person within the meaning of section [F803 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994], and

(b)the supply has been zero-rated under subsection [F81(8) of section 30] of that Act.

(2)If at any time the value added tax that would have been chargeable on the supply but for the zero-rating becomes payable under [F82subsection (10)] of that section (or would have become payable but for any authorisation or waiver under that subsection), the vehicle is deemed never to have been an exempt vehicle under sub-paragraph (1).

Vehicles imported by members of foreign armed forces etc.U.K.

24U.K.The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that, in such cases, subject to such conditions and for such period as may be prescribed by the regulations, a vehicle is an exempt vehicle if it has been imported by—

(a)a person for the time being appointed to serve with any body, contingent or detachment of the forces of any country prescribed by the regulations which is for the time being present in the United Kingdom on the invitation of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom,

(b)a member of any country’s military forces, except Her Majesty’s United Kingdom forces, who is for the time being appointed to serve in the United Kingdom under the orders of any organisation so prescribed,

(c)a person for the time being recognised by the Secretary of State as a member of a civilian component of a force within sub-paragraph (a) or as a civilian member of an organisation within sub-paragraph (b), or

(d)any dependant of a description so prescribed of a person within sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

[F83Light passenger vehicles with low CO₂ emissionsU.K.

[F8425U.K.A vehicle is an exempt vehicle if—

(a)it is a vehicle to which Part 1A of Schedule 1 applies, and

(b)the applicable CO₂ emissions figure (as defined in paragraph 1A(3) and (4) of that Schedule) for the vehicle does not exceed 100 g/km.]]