Vehicle licence

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A vehicle licence (also called a vehicle registration certificate in some jurisdictions) is issued by a motor registration authority in a jurisdiction in respect of a particular motor vehicle. A current licence is required for a motor vehicle to be legally permitted to be used or kept on a public road in the jurisdiction. Usually a licence is valid for one year and an annual licence fee is payable before a new one is issued.

Contents

A vehicle licence may be a paper document to be kept in the vehicle at all times. This may be in the form of an adhesive sticker to be affixed or displayed on the windshield of the vehicle or on the registration plate. In some countries, such as the UK, the paper document has been replaced by an electronic record. Authorities can confirm a valid licence via a computer check on the vehicles number plate.

The rules of vehicle licensing are in addition to those of vehicle registration, roadworthiness certification and insurance and other requirements.

Many jurisdictions have ceased issuing or requiring display of registration certificates and have instead adopted number plate recognition systems.

General

In some countries, such as Norway, the owner annually used to get a sticker to place on the registration plate, if the vehicle is permitted for driving.

United States and Canada

In the United States and Canada, an annual or biennial sticker is usually applied to the plate, with a few exceptions. For example, the District of Columbia and a few U.S. states use windscreen stickers, and some U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions issue permanent fleet licence plates. Also, some U.S. states, such as Virginia, require that a motorist obtain a vehicle licence from the city, county, or town government in addition to registering the vehicle with the appropriate agency of the state government, or, in some cases, the federal government.

Some of these jurisdictions have done away with the sticker, leaving registration status available only from a centralized database which authorities reference (by hand, or via automated number plate recognition).

Australia

In Australia, historically a current registration sticker was required to be displayed on the windscreen of all vehicles, but all states and territories have now ceased issuing such stickers for light vehicles and adopted number plate recognition systems. [1]

Western Australia has not required the display of a sticker since January 2010 [2] and South Australia and Tasmania also do not require a sticker to be displayed.

New South Wales ceased issuing registration stickers for light vehicles on 1 January 2013; [3] Victoria ceased on 1 January 2014; [4] Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory ceased on 1 July 2014; [5] [6] and Queensland ceased on 1 October 2014. [7]

United Kingdom

A 1956 UK tax disc Tax Disc (1956).jpg
A 1956 UK tax disc

In the United Kingdom, vehicle excise duty was introduced in 1888, and between 1920 and 1 October 2014 [8] the vehicle licence, colloquially known as a "tax disc", came in the form of a paper disc 75 millimetres (3 inches) in diameter to be displayed on the inside of a vehicle's front windscreen, and was evidence that the necessary vehicle excise duty had been paid for the vehicle.

From 1 October 2014 the physical paper disc was no longer issued, with enforcement of the taxation now being done through the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system. The Daily Telegraph reported in November 2017 that road tax evasion had tripled as a result of tax discs no longer being produced. [9]

Germany

In Germany, a driver is required to carry a vehicle licence (called the "Fahrzeugschein") containing vehicle owner data, technical specifications and car modifications. [10] [11] Additionally, each car has two registration plate stickers, one to confirm the car has been properly registered, and one to indicate it has passed its vehicle inspection (Hauptuntersuchung or HU) and the date by which the next inspection is due. While the vehicle licence and the registration sticker are permanent, the vehicle inspection sticker is renewed after each inspection.

Guernsey

In Guernsey road tax and the display of a tax disc was abolished in 2008 when fuel tax was increased by 14p per litre. Vehicles now display an insurance certificate. [12]

Ireland

In Ireland, a tax disc must also be displayed, which is of the same format as that in the UK. However, in addition, a square insurance "disc" must also be displayed to show that the vehicle has the legally required third party insurance. Private cars over 4 years old require a similar format "disc" from the National Car Test service to show roadworthiness.

Malta

In Malta, tax discs are very similar in appearance to their UK counterparts, and are also required to be visible on the left-hand side of the windscreen. The disc proves that the vehicle has valid insurance, and that it has passed its Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (VRT). [13]

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, a revenue licence must be displayed on the vehicle, and is evidence that the necessary vehicle excise duty has been paid for the specific vehicle. It is normally placed on the left side of the windscreen if it is a four-wheeled vehicle. A revenue licence is issued for a period of one year and must be renewed annually, during which an emissions test must be performed.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plate</span> Devices displaying a character string that uniquely identifies a particular commercial vehicle.

A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate or license plate or licence plate, is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries require registration plates for commercial road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles, for hire. Whether they are required for other vehicles, such as bicycles, boats, or tractors, may vary by jurisdiction. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric ID that uniquely identifies the vehicle or vehicle owner within the issuing region's vehicle register. In some countries, the identifier is unique within the entire country, while in others it is unique within a state or province. Whether the identifier is associated with a vehicle or a person also varies by issuing agency. There are also electronic license plates.

Vehicle Excise Duty is an annual tax levied as an excise duty, and which must be paid for most types of powered vehicles which are to be used or parked on public roads in the United Kingdom. Registered vehicles that are not being used or parked on public roads and which have been taxed since 31 January 1998 must be covered by a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to avoid VED. In 2016, VED generated approximately £6 billion for the Exchequer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrant of Fitness</span> New Zealand assurance certifying a motor vehicle

A Warrant of Fitness (WoF) is an official New Zealand document certifying that a light motor vehicle has passed a compulsory periodic inspection of safety and roadworthiness. Most vehicles with a gross mass under 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb) that are used on public roads are required to undergo a WoF test, with the frequency depending on the age of the vehicle. Since 1 January 2014, vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2000 must undergo a WoF test annually; older vehicles must undergo a WoF test every six months. From 1 July 2014, vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2000 must undergo a WoF test at first registration, at three years, and then annually after that; older vehicles must undergo a WoF test every six months.

Vehicle registration plates are mandatory alphanumeric plates used to display the registration mark of a vehicle registered in Germany. They have existed in the country since 1906, with the current system in use since 1956. German registration plates are alphanumeric plates in a standardised format, issued officially by the district authorities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MOT test</span> Mandatory checkup for UK motor vehicles

The MOT test is an annual test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions required in the United Kingdom for most vehicles over three years old. In Northern Ireland the equivalent requirement applies after four years. The requirement does not apply to vehicles used only on various small islands with no convenient connection "to a road in any part of Great Britain"; no similar exemption is listed at the beginning of 2014 for Northern Ireland, which has a single inhabited island, Rathlin. The MOT test was first introduced in 1960 as a few basic tests of a vehicle and now covers twenty different parts or systems on or in the vehicle.

Road tax, known by various names around the world, is a tax which has to be paid on, or included with, a motorised vehicle to use it on a public road.

Vehicle registration plates in Singapore are administered and issued by the Land Transport Authority. All vehicles in Singapore are required to display front and back plates bearing its registration number. Purchasers of vehicles have the option to bid for a vehicle registration number or get a vehicle registration number automatically assigned. Vehicle registration numbers can be retained on new or old vehicles owned by the same person, with a validity of 1 year or with extensions of 6 months thereafter. Vehicle owners are also able to replace and bid for a new registration number for existing vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Norway</span> Norway vehicle license plates

The registration plates of cars in Norway are maintained by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications. As in most countries, cars are identified only by number plates read visually. Each plate is a legal document that both identifies the vehicle and permits its use, and shall be returned to the registration authority when the vehicle is no longer in use.

In Sweden, vehicle registration plates are used for most types of vehicles. They have three letters first, a space and two digits and one digit or letter after. The combination is mostly a random number and has no connection with a geographic location. The last digit is used to show what month the vehicle tax has to be paid, and before 2018 it was also used to show what month the car had to undergo vehicle inspection. Vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, public buses and trolley buses use the same type of plate as normal private cars and cannot be directly distinguished by the plate alone. Military vehicles have special plates. Part of the vehicle data is public and can be retrieved online.

Antique vehicle registration is a special form of motor vehicle registration for vehicles that are considered antique, classic, vintage, or historic. The specific term used and the definition of a qualifying vehicle vary widely from country to country, as well as within a country, especially in federations like the United States, Germany, and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motor vehicle registration</span> An authority to register motor vehicles

Motor vehicle registration is the registration of a motor vehicle with a government authority, either compulsory or otherwise. The purpose of motor vehicle registration is to establish a link between a vehicle and an owner or user of the vehicle. While almost all motor vehicles are uniquely identified by a vehicle identification number, only registered vehicles display a vehicle registration plate and carry a vehicle registration certificate. Motor vehicle registration is different from motor vehicle licensing and roadworthiness certification.

The Vehicle register in the United Kingdom is a database of motor vehicles. It is a legal requirement in the UK for most types of motor vehicle to be registered if they are to be used on the public road.

The National Car Test is a roadworthiness test, which all cars in Ireland must undergo. Following a tender process, the Road Safety Authority awarded the National Car Testing Service contract for the operation of the vehicle inspection service in the Republic of Ireland to Applus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle inspection</span> Testing for compliance with regulations

Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times, e.g., periodically or on the transfer of title to a vehicle. If required periodically, it is often termed periodic motor vehicle inspection; typical intervals are every two years and every year. When a vehicle passes inspection, often a sticker is placed on the vehicle's windshield or registration plate to simplify later controls, but in some countries—such as the Netherlands since 1994—this is no longer necessary. Most US inspection decals/stickers display the month's number and the year.

In Iceland, vehicle registration plates are issued by the Icelandic Transport Authority. The plates are made of aluminium with reflective base and embossed characters. There are eleven different styles corresponding to the vehicle's type and tax status. Icelandic registration plates follow the EU standard for registration plates, with the Icelandic emblem with the letters IS on the left side with a standard (EU) size of 520 x 110mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Transport Office</span> Indian government authority

The Regional Transport Office or District Transport Office or Regional Transport Authority (RTO/DTO/RTA) is an office administered by the State Governments constituted under Section 213 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 of India and is responsible for implementing the various provisions of this Act. It operates under the Transport Department of the State Government. It is responsible for maintaining a database of drivers and a database of vehicles for various states of India.

Vehicle registration plates of Canada, also known as licence plates, are issued by provincial or territorial government agencies. Registration plates in Canada are typically attached to motor vehicles or trailers for official identification purposes. Some Canadian registration plates have unique designs, shapes, and slogans related to the issuing jurisdiction. For example, registration plates issued in the Northwest Territories are shaped like a polar bear. In Alberta, registration plates typically display the words "Wild Rose Country."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velology</span> Study and collection of vehicle tax discs

Velology is the study and collection of vehicle tax discs, particularly of those issued in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1921 to 30 September 2014.

Vehicle inspection in Australia is generally done on a state basis. Each state or territory has the authority to set its own laws pertaining to vehicle inspections, all have some form of inspection, either periodically or before a transfer of ownership.

In 1930, the UK Government introduced a law that required every person who used a vehicle on the road to have at least third-party personal injury insurance. Today, this law is contained in the Road Traffic Act 1988. Section 143 of that Act requires that motorists be insured against liability for injuries to others and for damage to other persons' property, resulting from use of a vehicle on a public road or in other public places.

References

  1. ↑ "NSW rego stickers to be taken off the road - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  2. ↑ "End of the road for car registration stickers". The Australian. December 31, 2009.
  3. ↑ "No more rego stickers for light vehicles < Registration < Roads and Maritime Services". Rta.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  4. ↑ "Registration labels : VicRoads". Archived from the original on 2014-12-17.
  5. ↑ "Northern Territory Government - REGISTRATION STICKERS ARE UNSTUCK". Newsroom.nt.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  6. ↑ "End of Registration Labels". Rego.act.gov.au. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  7. ↑ Steven Wardill (September 15, 2013). "Queensland registration stickers to be phased out by October, 2014". The Courier Mail. Archived from the original on 2014-08-27.
  8. ↑ Westcott, Richard (2013-12-05). "Car tax disc to be axed after 93 years". BBC News . BBC . Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  9. ↑ Morley, Katie. "Car tax evasion triples after scrapping of paper discs". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "§ 13 FZV Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I 4) Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung". www.buzer.de. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  11. ↑ "Erläuterungen der HSN-, TSN- und KBA-Nummern aus dem Fahrzeugschein" . Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  12. ↑ "Guernsey States propose motor tax plan". BBC. 16 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "LEĠIŻLAZZJONI MALTA". legislation.mt. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
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