5:20 pm, October 4, 2008
TRADE plates are not dead.
The RMIF has moved to clear up confusion over next January’s VED changes.
It has been confirmed that dealers will still be able to use trade plates to move SORN-declared secondhand vehicles and pre-registered demonstrators around.
This clarification follows much rumour-mongering. Including one that dealers would be compelled to become the registered keeper of every vehicle – and then make a SORN declaration, in order to obtain a VED refund. Imagine the hassle…
But really, the only change here is that dealers can’t obtain refunds where a SORN is in force. The previous registered keeper has to arrange it.
RMIF Director Sue Robinson explains: ‘Where a customer trades in a car and applies for a refund themselves, they should notify the DVLA that the vehicle has been disposed of into the trad, rather than declare SORN. The vehicle can then quite legally be used under trade plates.’
Don’t forget, though, the trade plate rules are only for stock vehicles. As Robinson points out, ‘a vehicle registered in their name is not regarded as being in their temporary possession’…
