The Equestrian Council for Northern Ireland would like remind HGV lorry owners to be aware of the HGV Road User Levy.  This legislation was introduced in April 2014 and requires all vehicles registered abroad (including the Republic of Ireland) weighing 12 tonnes and over using UK roads to pay the HGV Levy, vehicles are liable as soon as they enter UK territory. The Levy must be paid before entering the UK. The levy can be paid by day, week, month or year and discounts are available for longer levy periods. For vehicles registered in the UK the levy is included within the Vehicle Excise rates currently applied to the vehicle.

ECNI is aware that two vehicles were recently the subject of on the spot fines of £300 on the A1.  The daily rates are dependent upon the vehicle size and vary between £2.10 and £10 per day; weekly and monthly rates are also available.  This has the potential to impact equestrian sport within Northern Ireland and ECNI will be lobbying the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to seek an exemption for vehicles involved in equestrian sport.

Further information is available on www.gov.uk/government/collections/hgv-road-user-levy  and  http://www.eurotunnelfreight.com/uk/about/uk-hgv-road-user-levy/