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UK Vehicle Registration Certificate becomes more secure |
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A new, more secure V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate will be introduced from 15 August 2010.
The new registration certificate is being introduced following the theft of a number of blank certificates in 2006.
The aim is to reduce the risks to motorists of buying a stolen or cloned vehicle. The new documents will be issued from 15 August 2010 for all newly registered vehicles and when there are changes to an existing registration, such as a change of keeper or address.
From the middle of next year, the new certificate will be issued to all remaining vehicles when they are re-licensed or declared to be off the road. The existing blue V5C will remain valid for these vehicles until it is replaced and DVLA will not be asking for the old V5C to be returned.
DSA 21/07/2010
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Driving License Photocard still Valid? |
Many people with photocard licenses in UK are blissfully unaware that the card component of their driving license needs to be renewed after 10 years, and the oldest ones are now over that age!
So if you have had a photocard license for a while now, check it out. The renewal/expiry date is shown on the front of the plastic photocard against 4b. The DVLA is said to be sending reminders to holders who need to renew, but if their driver's record is not up to date, they may never receive one.
The expiry of the photocard license does not mean that the driver has lost the entitlement to drive, but it does mean that that the license is out of date and that the holder can be fined accordingly.
It is possible to check entitlement to drive through the license checking services (at a cost). Currently old style paper licenses generally won't need renewing until the holder reaches 70 years of age.
If your address details are out of date on your photocard license, have them up-dated as soon as possible. For further information call DVLA or visit www.dvla.gov
Hope this proves to be a timely reminder for a few people.... Editor. |
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Firms Blind to Test Requirements |
More than 75% of employers are unaware of the forthcoming legislation that requires professional drivers to undergo frequent eye sight tests.
Research by optical chain Specsavers also shows that up to 33% of people who drive as part of their job could have sub-standard vision.
The EU legislation is due to come into force in 2011 and requires commercial license holders to have an eye test at least every five years. Member states have until 2013 to implement the Directive.
Editor - Given the alarmingly high level of poor eye sight across the driving population as a whole, this can only be a move in the right direction. |
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All-electric Taxi Could Transform Transport |
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AN innovative all-electric taxi with the potential to transform the way people use public transport was unveiled in the West Midlands by regional minister Ian Austin MP.
The ‘E Vito taxi’ - a prototype developed by a consortium including automotive Lichfield engineering specialists Zytek and Coventry technology experts Penso – can transport up to six passengers in comfort over a range of almost 75 miles from a single six-hour full charge, It is also licensed for use in London, with zero tailpipe emissions and very low noise pollution.
Speaking at the demonstration event in Lichfield Mr Austin said: “The black taxi cab is an iconic vehicle that many of us will have used at some time”.
“It’s exciting that such a widely used method of transport has become the first vehicle to incorporate this innovative ‘market-ready’ technology – which could potentially be introduced in time to serve the many thousands of tourists visiting London for the 2012 Olympics”. “This is just this sort of innovative technology and advanced skills that the West Midlands needs to bring the new industries and new jobs to our region and build a stronger economy for the future.”
The West Midlands is home to the largest cluster of automotive businesses in the UK, responsible for 28% of all automotive output - £13 bn - and over 60% of the industry’s research and development.
Neil Cheeseman, programme manager at Zytek Automotive, said: “The range and performance of the E Vito make it perfect for inner city transport; not only does it deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions but also significant costs savings - a full charge costs less than £2.50 - which can be passed on to users in the form of reduced fares.”
“The 70kW Zytek electric drive system used in the E Vito taxi is suitable for a variety of passenger car and light commercial vehicle applications and gives the E Vito a top speed of 75 mph. Today’s demonstration highlights that the E Vito taxi is both viable and relatively simple to put into production.”
The taxi meets all of the legislative requirements of the Public Carriage Office and incorporates the 38kWh Valence Li-Ion battery power pack installed in a weatherproof enclosure beneath the vehicle floor, so the internal space of the taxi will remain unaffected by the electric conversion, not compromising luggage space and also improving vehicle stability.
12th February 2010
Ack. TheBusinessDesk.com |
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Midlands = Low Carbon Economic Area |
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THE MIDLANDS has been designated a new Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA) and has won £19m of government funding for research into and development of low carbon vehicles, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, announced today.
Visiting the International Manufacturing Centre at the University of Warwick to launch the LCEA, Lord Mandelson said:
“I want to see the Midlands help the UK to lead the global automotive industry in the transition from conventional to low carbon vehicle technologies. The LCEA will send a clear signal to the global market about the Midlands’ strengths in advanced automotive engineering". “The move towards a low carbon economy presents huge opportunities. This new funding will help secure the Midlands’ 10,000 existing car industry jobs, by helping transform them into the green car jobs of the future.”
Key stakeholders in the Midlands LCEA include Advantage West Midlands, East Midlands Development Agency centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies, Technology Strategy Board, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Tata Motors, Mitsubishi and the Universities of Birmingham, Coventry, Warwick and Loughborough.
Partners in the Low Carbon Vehicles Technology (LCVTP) programme include Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors, Zytek, Ricardo, MIRA, WMG at the University of Warwick and Coventry University. The project will also involve UK suppliers.
Advantage West Midlands will invest £9.5 million into the LCVTP combined with £9.5 million European funds, and more than £10 million of industry funds. Mick Laverty, AWM Chief Executive, said:
“This is great news and reflects the real strengths of the West and East Midlands regions in automotive manufacturing. Becoming a Low Carbon Economic Area will reinforce our growing reputation as globally competitive regions, which continue to develop cutting-edge green technologies and high technology industries upon which the future prosperity of all UK regions will depend". “It is now more important than ever that we continue to make every pound count and achieve maximum impact through our strategic interventions.”
Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya KB CBE, Director and Founder of the University of Warwick’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) said:
“The car industry is facing huge challenges over the next decade. From emissions, the environment to safety engineering, a new generation of hi-tech but low carbon cars will be required. Today’s announcement is a crucial and most welcome government investment in low carbon automotive engineering which will help companies meet these global needs and provide them with new opportunities to grow as the world emerges from recession". “The Midlands has a substantial, highly sophisticated, and advanced automotive industry and supply chain. This investment will bring researchers and manufacturers together to ensure that that industry and supply chain not only prospers but plays a leading role in building our low carbon future.”
Ack. TheBusinessDesk.com |
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