A fresh document from the FBHVC shows they still share the same worries as ACE regarding the overly strict EU proposal for Historic definition. It is an excellent document, well researched and with real world examples that go a long way to explain our shared concerns.

http://fbhvc.co.uk/files/2012/12/FBHVC-Minister-briefing-final-no-caption.pdf
ACE wholeheartedly support the FBHVC statement

“FBHVC therefore requests that consideration be given to further amending Article 2 to either
• Grant a general permission to exempt based upon the simple 30 year element of the definition but recognise that some states additionally may apply the remainder of the definition to further limit their exemption, or
• State that all vehicles already treated by any state as historic at the date of the Directive coming into force will remain so (permitting the UK to rely on its own current historic vehicle class)”

As we already have DVLA systems in place that allow for legal current and coeval modifications to Historics, we do not need a tightly drawn definition forced upon us. A simple age qualification, working in conjunction with our own long established rules, would allow continuing adequate control over qualifying vehicles.

Failure to realise these aims would mean each existing Historic vehicle and those becoming Historic under this new 30 year old proposal, would require some form of vetting system. Under Austerity measures this would place additional burdens on both public and Government purses.

Many members contacted their MEPs, to raise our initial concerns regarding the ‘proposal’. We now need to push this point for consideration and redrafting before the first formal vote is taken in May 2013.