CLASSICS WIN LONDON EXEMPTIONS

Tax exempt classics will not pay the £10 London Emissions Surcharge from autumn, we can confirm. Otherwise known as the ‘Toxicity Charge’, or ‘T Charge’, drivers of non-compliant cars will have to pay from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, starting from Monday, October 23 this year. Charging will not take place on Bank Holidays or during the festive period from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day.

In a decision welcomed by Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), vehicles taxed as ‘historic’ under rolling 40 year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) will only pay the Congestion Charge (£11.50) to enter central London.

The same cars will also avoid Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges when the Mayor of London’s office rolls out boundaries; the FBHVC secured classic ULEZ exemption two years ago. Owners of so-called ‘modern classics’ will hit by the Emissions Surcharge though. Any car built before 2005 (Euro 4) emissions standards will be liable for the standard central London Congestion Charge (£11.50 for cars) plus new T Charge (£10).