NMC receives Congestion Charge clarification from TfL
After concern was raised by classic motorcycle owners, the National Motorcyclists Council has obtained clarification on Congestion Charge rules.
The National Motorcyclists Council has offered reassurance to owners of classic motorcycles that they will not be penalised for the age of their bike when riding through the Congestion Charge Zone.
Vehicles over 40-years-old can be registered in the Historic Vehicle category by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This means that they become exempt from emissions regulations, but vehicles in the Historic Vehicle category are not exempt from the Congestion Charge.
This led to some worry among classic motorcycle owners, particularly from the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) “who,” the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) says, “were worried that the charge can be levied if riding into the Congestion Charge Zone.”
The NMC therefore raised the issue with Transport for London, who offered clarification and reassurance that all motorcycles are exempt from the Congestion Charge, including those registered in the Historic Vehicle category.
TfL said, in response to the issue being raised with it by the National Motorcyclists Council: “It should be noted that motorcycles (including those registered in the DVLA’s Historic tax class) are exempt from the Congestion Charge. In the event that someone has found themselves charged, we would ask them to get in touch with the Congestion Charge team and provide the Vehicle Registration Mark of the vehicle(s) in question, so the team can investigate further. The Operations team is currently looking into this matter further to check that PCNs are not being issued to motorcycles in the Historic tax class.”
The VMCC’s Roger Bibbings said: “There have been genuine concerns raised by riders of historic bikes that the congestion charge could apply. This clarification from TfL is very welcome and we hope that it reassures all riders of motorcycles which are over 40 years old.”
Lead image credit: "Congestion Charging" by Wootang01/David Woo is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
