THE WAY WE WERE IN JANUARY
1921
The Motor Car Act of 1903 required all ‘motor cars’ to be registered with the keeper’s local authority (council, borough etc). Motor cars and motor cycles weren’t defined separately, though many – but not all – authorities kept separate records for cars and motorcycles and in 1905 further groups such as heavy vehicles, again with separate records, were added.
Each vehicle was issued with a paper registration certificate for the vehicle and if the vehicle moved authorities, it had to be registered with its new authority; in some cases, the original registration mark remained with the vehicle, while other authorities issued a new (local) mark.
The result of authorities having separate record listings for differing classes of vehicles led to some authorities using identical registration marks on a vehicle from each class, eg a car, motorcycle, traction engine, lorry could all have the same mark.
As from January 1, 1921, the 1920 Road Acts required licensing authorities to issue a separate identifiable registration mark for each vehicle – most vehicles would be liable for a road fund licence fee (which it’s claimed would be used to maintain and improve roads) and need to display a tax disc as proof of payment. The existing registration certificate, used until this time, was replaced by either a RF12 (private vehicles) or RF42 (commercial vehicles) logbook, in which, for the first time, the registered keeper’s details were to be recorded.
All vehicle keepers had until January 31, 1921, to comply with this new legislation if they wished to continue using their vehicle/s on public roads.
1946
The organisers announced they weren’t in a position to restart the IoM TT series this year, but were hopeful of running the Manx GP later in the season. As before the war, the ‘Manx’ would comprise three solo classes: 500cc Senior, 350cc Junior and 250cc Lightweight. Entry details would be published later.
1971
Setting their sights on a share of the big bike market, Yamaha had recently launched its first large capacity motorcycle, the 653cc ohc parallel twin cylinder XS1, to widespread acclaim. Early reports confirmed the machine was tough and performance not that far off the Triumph Bonneville and Honda CB750.
1996
Surprised enthusiasts, who were ready to tax their motorcycles ready for the coming season, were continuing to phone The Classic MotorCycle offices, after being informed by their local Post Office that no fee is required for their over 25-year-old machines.
From November 29, 1995, Conservative chancellor Kenneth Clarke’s budget meant keepers of over 25 year old vehicles at the start of the year no longer had to pay a licence fee on applying for a tax disc for said vehicles. However, displaying a valid (free) tax disc remained compulsory.