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A recent report in Fleet News has revealed that the EU is planning a new carbon tax on all motor fuel. This would add a further tax to VAT and fuel duty already charged. Thomas Carroll, the EU’s taxation directorate general, told a recent meeting of European accountants that the new commission could review the EU’s 2003 energy taxation directive as early as the New Year. The draft proposals insist that excise duties Read more »

A recent poll showed that 61% of motorists would not welcome a drop of acceptable drink driving levels from 80mg to the more common 50mg but that is probably because of the draconian punishment handed out if over the limit. If you are guilty of driving even slightly over the limit in the UK you are automatically facing a 12 month ban whilst in some countries in the EU the chances of being caught in the first Read more »

On the question of fuel, if you have been convinced that bio fuel is a much better option and your car is still covered by the manufacturers warranty you should check to see if using bio fuel affects your warranty. Unlike the EU it has ruled that each country can set its own levels of biodiesel concentration and that there is no mandatory need to label fuel at the filling stations. It is well known that a concentration of over Read more »

Since the introduction of free movement throughout Europe it has become possible for drivers to hold two driving licences at the same time, one from his country of origin and another, quite legally, issued in the country in which he now resides. This has led to a situation whereby a driver is convicted of an offence following which his Read more »

There has been a loophole in the law allowing drivers in the EU to apply for a driving permit (equivalent to a licence) in another country whilst having their original licence confiscated following a driving offence. There was already a mutual recognition of disqualification’s between Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain but the European Court Of Justice has ruled that drivers who have had their licences confiscated cannot apply for a driving permit in another EU country. The main problem was apparently between the Czech Republic and Germany whereby German drivers who were banned were crossing the border and applying for a driving permit – but no more it would seem!

The Government is to tighten up on new car advertising as a result of pressure from the greenies to better advise the public about CO2 emissions. In future all literature including posters and all print ads must include CO2 emission information. This is now believed to conform to EU directives on the level of information that should be made available to car buyers. Strangely no such rules apply to used cars which are in the vast majority and kick out many more CO2‘s than their new equivalents. Or am I missing something?

It’s not often that I feel the urge to support our French neighbours but their government recently made a proposal to reduce fuel taxes to ease petrol and diesel price increases across the EU, something I feel is urgently needed. However, the finance ministers within the Eurogroup – those countries that insist on using Euros rather than very sensibly sticking to their currency of origin like us Brits, have blocked the proposal. I’m sure our government would have blocked it also but they weren’t invited to participate as we don’t conform to Read more »