DVLC started issuing Q plates to kit cars etc in the mid 1980s but advice regarding their eligibility for Historic (ie free) tax class has been sketchy and often contradictory.

I've recently been trawling kit car sites after hearing on one of two Facebook groups that people had recently had success changing Q plate vehicles from PLG to Historic tax class I've finally found documentary evidence, not just what some bloke down the pub said. Q plate vehicles can now apply for Historic tax class from that April following 40 after their declared date of manufacture, the Post Office will do it for you at time of renewing your road tax.

Brilliant news 

There was always confusion in DVLA regarding Q reg and Historic because nobody believed that a hand built kit car would last for 40 years and they therefore did not need to apply the rules. Whilst the Q it still often awarded to a car of unknown origin or make, the date on the document cannot be altered, so if its 40 years, then 40 year rules must surely apply.

For what its worth, I am also hearing a lot more cases of age related plates being changed where a Q was previously given

There does seem to be a surge in the K & R section at Swansea where age related plates are issued. Often even when not specifically asked for.

Another slight change on the gov.uk website is that it used to state that a vehicle needed to have Historic tax class to be MOT exempt. Now they are saying that you can apply to get the tax class changed to Historic on a vehicle that is MOT exempt just by submitting the V122 form with the application.

Old advice...





New advice...

Well this is good news as the kango is 40 November 2026 so saving me£360 a year but a few months ago they said no as a Q does not show the age of the vehicle when seen but my reply of neither do private plates fell on deaf ears.
So post office tax next year

Well this is good news as the kango is 40 November 2026 so saving me£360 a year but a few months ago they said no as a Q does not show the age of the vehicle when seen but my reply of neither do private plates fell on deaf ears.
So post office tax next year

From April 2027 for yours then. It goes from the start of the tax year following.

 

DVLA seem to be sending these letters out...




And the Federation seems to have changed their guidelines too...

That is good news not long paid my £360 tax on a nov 86 registration

That is good news not long paid my £360 tax on a nov 86 registration

Tax exempt from April 2027 then