Classic car enthusiasts, and those working in the industry, can now have their say on potential changes to regulations covering how classic cars are repaired, restored, and preserved.
Announced at Bicester Heritage, the UK Government has launched a call for evidence, seeking views on how classic and vintage vehicles can be worked on. The intentions are to help protect and boost what is an £18 billion industry, as well as taking into account emerging technologies and an increasingly aging classic vehicle fleet.
Regulations on how classics are registered after being restored, upgraded, or having undergone significant repair, have largely remained the same since the 1980s. As such, they do not take into account altering vehicles using modern parts and technology.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is looking for drivers, enthusiasts, and industry bodies to share their thoughts to help shape proposals to keep classic vehicles running well for years to come, while maintaining safety and accurate records.
Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive Officer, said: “As evolving technologies continue to improve the way classic, historic and rebuilt vehicles can be modified and restored, we want to ensure that we keep the policies and registration processes for these vehicles up to date.
“This is one of the many ways we are looking to make things easier and simpler for our customers and we want to encourage enthusiasts and those individuals and organisations with a keen interest and expertise to share their views with us.”
Potential changes could make it easier to convert classic models to electric powertrains, or see greater changes permitted while retaining the original vehicle registration.
With the classic car industry employing around 113,000 skilled people, the call for evidence will help support jobs in the heritage car industry.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper, said at the consultation launch: “The way we restore and protect classic cars has not kept up with the times and evolving technologies, which is why we are calling for industry and enthusiasts to have their say on how to best protect these British classics for decades to come.”
Footman James have been advocates for the classic industry for 40 years. With many ties to clubs, communities and partners in the classic space, it has a wealth of knowledge to share with the government to help ensure classics are on the roads for years to come.
FJ intend to submit its own proposal and would love to collate its audiences thoughts and ideas. Anyone wishing to contribute to the call for evidence can do so below.