EU Road Worthiness Regulation – Update on progress though the EU Parliament. This applies more particularly to vehicles which do not have to be tested.

As all Gordon-Keeble cars require annual testing (at present), this is not of direct concern. The FBHVC is in continuous discussion with Westminster and Brussels over the wording of the new Regulation / Directive.

Initial European Commission definition of an “Historic Vehicle”:-
1. It was manufactured at least 30 years ago
2. It is maintained by use of replacement parts which reproduce the historic components of the vehicle.
3. It has not sustained any change in the technical characteristics of its main components, such as engine, brakes,steering or suspension.
4. It has not been changed in its appearance.

After lobbying by FIVA, the MEPs changed the definition of an Historic Vehicle to:-

1. It was manufactured or registered at least 30 years ago.
2. Its specific type, as defined by the relevant legal acts of the Union on type approval, is no longer in production (The GK was manufactured prior to Type approval being introduced in the UK).
3. It is preserved and maintained in a historic correct condition, and therefore has not undergone major changes in its technical characteristics.

This has still to be ratified by the European Council. More information will be provided by the FBHVC and FIVA in due course.

DVLA requirements.
1.   All vehicles must be adequately insured for on road use unless they are declared as SORN. The exception is for vehicles that have been off the road continuously since before January 1998 when SORN was introduced. The windscreen tax disc has now been discontinued. The DVLA sends out a reminder 3 weeks or so before the tax is due even though the vehicles are duty free as Historic Vehicles.  Since 2013, SORN no longer needs to be renewed annually and insurance cover is not a legal requirement provided the car is not used on the road.
2.  The registration particulars must be correct and up to date to avoid subsequent difficulties. It is essential that any changes to the chassis or the engine number is registered. Check that the markings on the vehicle are identical with those on the registration document
3.   Now that local offices of the DVLA have closed, any document required by the DVLA for registration must be copied and authenticated. Do not send original documents lest they get lost in the mail as these may be the only proof of your ownership.
4.   Following the purchase of a vehicle which is under SORN cover at the time, the new Owner / Keeper must re-declare SORN at the time of registering the change of ownership as the old SORN declaration is no longer valid.  Likewise, the seller of a vehicle may surrender the license to claim a refund of unused months but the vehicle is regarded as UNTAXED from the moment of sale.  Transfer of any remaining tax is no longer possible. The new owner MUST tax the car before driving it away after purchase.
5.   Travel abroad:- In the absence of a tax disc, the application form with receipt must be carried in the car.

More on DVLA matters: It is important to use the correct post code when communicating with the DVLA.
1.  Imported vehicles if original registration indices are not known. use:- First Registration Team, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BE
2. V765 applications and late conversions, use:- Kits and Rebuilds, DVLA Swansea, SA99 1ZZ
3   Reconstructed Classic applications, use:- Kits and Rebuilds, DVLA Swansea, SA99 1ZZ
4   Changes to a registered vehicle, use: Central Capture Unit, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BA 

You are strongly advised only to send copies of the original documents to avoid loss and heartbreak.
The DVLA employs over 5,500 people and the daily delivery of mail is enormous.

Tyres and the Law:-
1. There is concern being expressed about the state of the tyres on Historic Vehicles which are only used occasionally.
Tyres manufactured prior to 1990 are poorly dated. After 1990, 3 digits in a triangle represent the week (digit 1 & 2), and the year (digit 3). e.g. week 24 in 1995 is shown as 245. After year 1999, there are 4 digits – the first 2 = the week and the second 2 = the year.
2.  Manufactures usually guarantee their tyres against manufacturing faults but Continental recommend a life of 10 years though some companies say the limit should be 6 years (Good for their trade as well!).      A careful visual inspection of BOTH sides of the tyres is recommended annually and a tyre-off-the-rim inspection every 5 years. Critical factors are damage and cracking of the side wall – not always apparent from the outside. A history of trauma to the tyre is always relevant.and exposure to strong sunlight will cause Ozone degradation (GK tyres often only see the light of day in good weather!)
3.   Finally, the use that the tyre is put to is important. On a car such as the GK with a high speed capability, tyre condition is much more critical than on a slow coach vintage vehicle, so tread carefully and look after your tyres – they are your only contact with the road surface.

You can contact the FBHVC directly here by:-
email admin@fbhvc.co.uk
website www.fbhvc.co.uk