Explanatory note
This Order further amends the Motor Vehicles (International Circulation) Order 1975 as amended to give further effect to certain provisions of the following international agreements, namely,
the Convention on Road Traffic of 1949 (Cmd. 7997);
the Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 (Cmnd. 4032);
the Convention on the Taxation of Road Vehicles for Private Use in International Traffic of 1956 (Cmnd. 2039);
the Convention on Motor Traffic of 1926 (Cmd. 3510);
Article IV of the Agreement regarding the Status of Forces of Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty (Cmd. 9363).
The following are the changes introduced by the Order:—
The holder of a British Forces (BFG) public service vehicle driving licence may drive a public service vehicle in Great Britain for up to twelve months from his last entry into the United Kingdom without holding a licence under section 22 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (Article 3).
A dependant (as defined in the Order) of a member of a visiting force to which Part I of the Visiting Forces Act 1952 for the time being applies or a dependant of a member of the civilian component of any such force may drive in Great Britain by virtue of a permit issued under the law of the sending country or issued by the service authorities of the visiting force (Article 4).
Paragraph (2)(a) of articles 5 and 5A of the 1975 Order is replaced by a new paragraph which takes account of the fact that relief from customs duty is now afforded by the Excise Duties (Personal Reliefs for Goods Temporarily Imported) Order 1983. The temporarily imported vehicle is exempt from excise duty for such period as relief from customs duty continues to be afforded (Article 5(1)(a)). The order thereby gives effect in relation to vehicle excise duty to Council Directive (EEC) No. 83/182 of the 28th March 1983 on tax exemptions within the Community for certain means of transport temporarily imported into one Member State from another.
In making regulations under paragraph (4)(b) of Article 5 or 5A for the recording of particulars in relation to temporarily imported vehicles, the Secretary of State may provide for the making of any such particulars available on payment, in specified cases, of such fee as may be prescribed (Article 5(1)(b)).
The Secretary of State is substituted for the Greater London Council as a registration authority for the purposes of Article 5 (Article 5(1)(c)).
The fees for international driving permits and certificates for motor vehicles are increased from £2 to £2.50 (Article 6).