Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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327. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a query raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15806/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The query the Deputy raises was sent by email to the Department on 27 March. The Department's Customer Charter commits to providing an answer in 20 working days. This allows my staff time to seek clarification as necessary from correspondents to ensure that the information provided is accurate for the scenario under question. My staff will engage directly with the correspondent in accordance with the timelines in our Customer Charter.

The correspondent cites Heavy Goods Vehicles which are defined as vehicles over 3500kgs and could, therefore, fall into 3 of the 4 different motor tax rates for goods vehicles based on the unladen weight of the vehicle.

For articulated goods vehicles, the articulated vehicle (i.e. vehicle and semi-trailer) is regarded as a single vehicle and motor tax is payable on the basis of the unladen weight of the tractor unit plus the unladen weight of the heaviest semi-trailer that will be used at any time during the period of the motor tax licence. This is provided for in the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952.

This procedure is outlined in the motor tax rates document available on my Department's website. It is also made clear on the websites of the motor tax offices, e.g., www.limerick.ie/council/services/roads-and-travel/motor-tax#heavy%20goods

When a goods vehicles changes ownership, the first taxing by the new owner can only be done at a motor tax office. There are a number of reasons for this. In the case of articulated vehicles one reason is that the unladen weight of the tractor and heaviest semi trailer is likely to change between owners, and thus the new owner must provide a new weight docket for the vehicle from an authorised weighbridge.

In terms of the Vehicle Registration Certificate, it is the case that a new VRC is issued upon change of ownership of an articulated vehicle and a revised VRC is issued shortly after the first taxing of the vehicle if the unladen weight of the vehicle has changed. The VRC certifies the unladen weight of the vehicle and thus if this weight changes a revised VRC is issued to reflect the new weight. Multiple VRCs are issued for many vehicles over their lifetime due to such changes. There is no charge for replacement VRCs as a result of changes to a vehicle's ownership or particulars.