Just a quick update, i sent an email to the DOE website about this and this was their reply, xxxxx is the DOE man yyyyy is me:
xxxxx wrote:
Dear Mr. yyyyy,
I refer to your recent communication in connection with your motor tax
enquiry.
At the outset, I might explain that under the Finance (Excise Duties)
Act, 1952, the basis of assessment for motor tax purposes is governed
by
the construction of a vehicle and the use to which it is put. In order
to avail of the goods (commercial) motor tax rate, a vehicle (e.g jeep
or SUV) must be used commercially at all times and adapted for the
carriage of goods. The necessary adaptations are that all seats and
seat
belts to the rear of the driver's seat must be removed, seat belt
connections and anchor points must be welded over and the goods
carrying
area must be greater than the seating area. Otherwise, the vehicle
must
be taxed as a private vehicle. In addition, if such a vehicle is being
used commercially but also required to transport passengers, then it
must be taxed at the higher rate i.e taxed privately.
In view of the fore-going, the vehicle you describe would not satisfy
the criteria to be taxed commercially.
On the insurance issue, there is no insurance database. At present, it
is understood that insurance companies automatically give private and
domestic insurance cover for small vehicles. Any futher queries on
this
issue might be addressed to the Insurance Section of the Department of
Public Enterprise which is the relevant Government Department on this
matter.
Yours sincerely,
xxxxx,
Motor Tax Policy Section.
my reply back was:
>>> xxxxx 29/03/2006 16:48:26 >>>
Thank you for your reply, very useful infomation, but can you clarify
one point, if one buys a cab crew pickup vehicle, because it carries
passengers but would also have a commerical area greater then seating
area,does this qualify for commerical road tax.
Also is there a regulating body, that regulates DOE Garages, as this
seems to be the place were vehicles, which clearly don't qualify, are
currently getting DOE certificates like the one on the vehicle i was
going to buy back in Jan2006?
Kind Regards & thanks again for info.
Xxxxx
His second reply:
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 10:23:28 +0100
From: "xxxxx" <
[email protected]>
To: <
[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Motor Tax enquiry
Mr. yyyyy,
On the question of crew cabs, the situation is that the carriage of
employees is permitted in a goods taxed vehicle (say a crew cab)
provided they are employed by the registered owner of the vehicle, the
carriage takes place in the course of their employment and the vehicle
is ordinarily used for the conveyance of goods in the course of
trade/business. The ultimate decision as to whether a vehicle is to be
taxed at the goods rate or not rests with the local motor tax office -
who must be satisfied that the tax disc for which an application is
being made is the appropriate disc for the vehicle in question.
The regulatory body governing DOE testing in garages is the Vehicle
Standards Division of the department of Transport, 25 Clare Street,
Dublin 2.
Sincerely,
xxxxx,
Motor Tax Policy.
