DVLA

[Commuter]

DVLA have changed the tax rules for all classic vehicles. As I read them , they appear to be talking about registering historic status rules changing and having authenticity verified...but it all very confusing. They dont seem to lay anything out as to what is actually required and how to meet those requirements but they do appear to be trying to close off previously open options. To my mind , there are several different classes of XS650 historic vehicle; with each class falling into two sub-categories1) on road and 2)off the road.
There are mis- mashes a 1973 engine in a 1980 frame,
There are mild modified like a late SE model made to look like a standard XS2.
There are heavily modified like fitting a turbo charger, hard tailing the frame.
There are " as it was when it left the factory" untouched and unrestored.
There are " as it was when it left the factory except everything restored and polished".
There are " as it was when it left the factory" appearing to be untouched and unrestored but incorporating an additional front brake disc and aftermarket "extras" which might include a sidecar, chain oiler,electronic ignition, heavier fork springs rejetted carburettors etc
And there are those of the class which is super modified ie has a honda fireblade engine, coupled to a frame which only has the original xs650 headstock and also has 4 wheels attached to it.
I really have no idea how this will affect everyone since the information I have been able to see is very very sketchy and seems to relate mostly to super modified equipment and vehicles which are not currently registered.....Again this is in itself confusing..are they saying that any historic vehicle which hasnt been "blessed" by the DVLA is no longer registered as historic?
From the information which is currently available it all seems to be ill- thought out. I am hoping that all currently DVLA registered historic vehicle will be mailed a leaflet which fully explains everything.
Do any of you good people know more or could shed some plain english, common sense light on this issue?

 

[Its been a long time]

Wouldn't make a lot of sense for these changes to be retrospective? I imagine any changes to vehicle classification will only apply to vehicles first registration as a historic vehicle?

 

[Raymond]

Oh dear, this is on the face it of worrying. Where did you read about the rule change?

If they are changing the rules to ensure somebody cannot register a 40+ YO 'historic' bike with everything changed like your Fireblade engine suggestion then I suppose one can see they're trying to close a loophole? But if they're going to be really fussy and it's not a historic bike if the owner has fitted a 2-into-1 exhaust then we're all in trouble. Well, not all because the collector who shows his vehicles at concours d'elegance shows might just about be okay.

The rules need to be drafted by someone with understanding of and sympathy for older vehicles. Uhm, but here we're relying on DVLA civil servants so the jury is out on that.

Has the change happened or is this a consultation?

 

[Commuter]

Wouldn't make a lot of sense for these changes to be retrospective? I imagine any changes to vehicle classification will only apply to vehicles first registration as a historic vehicle?

I would hope that you are right, however, when they introduced the historic vehicle rules( Up to August 2025 when they appear to have changed the rules), they were retrospective..The rulling used to be anything first registered before 1st Jan 1973

 

[Commuter]

Oh dear, this is on the face it of worrying. Where did you read about the rule change?

If they are changing the rules to ensure somebody cannot register a 40+ YO 'historic' bike with everything changed like your Fireblade engine suggestion then I suppose one can see they're trying to close a loophole? But if they're going to be really fussy and it's not a historic bike if the owner has fitted a 2-into-1 exhaust then we're all in trouble. Well, not all because the collector who shows his vehicles at concours d'elegance shows might just about be okay.

The rules need to be drafted by someone with understanding of and sympathy for older vehicles. Uhm, but here we're relying on DVLA civil servants so the jury is out on that.

Has the change happened or is this a consultation?

I dont think its a consultation, I think its a definite change from August 2025. You can see "clear as mud " guideance on the government DVLA website.

 

[Raymond]

Had a very silly phone call once with a woman from one of the big insurers, might have been Bennets or Carole Nash. I asked about insuring a 46-YO motorbike. Yes, they are very happy to insure a 46-YO motorbike, and she asked if it was in standard condition.

I said, well, it is forty-six years old and has been restored, which means parts have been changed so it's not in standard condition. 'Are all the replacement parts genuine Yamaha and fitted by an authorised Yamaha dealer?'

No, some Yamaha parts are available but many no longer are. 'Has Yamaha approved the substitution of newer parts?' she asks.

No. The bike is standard in the loose sense of it has not been modified or tuned up but it has been largely rebuilt. And it's painted a different colour now. 'Yes,' she says 'that might be alright as long as it's been painted in a standard colour scheme.'

Well, it's a standard colour scheme, but not for that year. 'Would a repairer would be able to buy replacement parts in those colours.'

Uhm, no, they would not be able to buy replacement parts in those colours. These bikes have not been manufactured for decades. If the bike suffers an accident, it will not be a case of taking it to a 'main dealer' and replacing the damaged parts. A main dealer would be very unlikely to undertake any work at all on this motorbike. If the bike is damaged, I would be the person repairing it, calling on appropriate services as needed.

'Are you a qualified motorcycle mechanic working in the motorcycle trade?'

No.

It soon became clear that her and my notions of owning & running an old bike were highly divergent and I concluded they would not be happy to insure a 46-YO motorbike.

 

[Tiggertoo]

Studying.....
https://www.hcva.co.uk/142/about-th...les-alliance/registering-your-classic-vehicle

Valid points so far:
Many popular upgrades and limited modifications are now permitted as part of the new Repairs and Restorations category and do not require DVLA notification

More substantial changes, including EV conversions, now fall under the new Structurally Modified category. Vehicle VIN identity and original or age-related registration is retained, and no IVA/MVSA is required, provided vehicle identity is not in doubt. MOT exemption for vehicles over 40 years falling into this category is removed.

 

[Tiggertoo]

https://assets.publishing.service.g...ical-interest-substantial-change-guidance.pdf

Some excerpts (but note caveat!)

 

[Raymond]

Be interesting to see what the further arrangements for m/cs might be. Sounds generally, ah, shall I say innocuous?

 

[SteveP]

I've just purchased a 1983 yamaha. I got the logbook which noted it as 1983, but first registered in 1986. I think it was imported in 1986. It actually has a 1983 reg no. A. I went on the dvla site and listed it as a historic vehicle not needing an mot. That wasn't a problem.
There seems to be a form required to register it as not needing road tax. This has to be printed of and handed in at a post office. I handed it in but the post office had no idea what to do with it. He sorned it and probably threw the form away. I'll have to try again when I want to tax it.

 

[SteveP]

I'm going to go through the process again with my XS.
In a couple of weeks

 

[JJames]

I love Kansas.

 

[Adamc]

Ooohhh err sounds like Taffy’s fooked then.
Bollocks to that I’ll just ride it anyhow.
All the electric bike drug dealin’ hooligans around our town never get stopped, so I’ll take my chances as an upright citizen chancing his arm on an old bitsa bike.

 

[Raymond]

My tuppence worth - they've amended the regs to clarify & close loopholes, nothing changes in the real world, the Police have far too many other calls on their time to worry about the niceties of whether the changes from std on an old 1970s motorbike are the sorts of changes owners back then woulda made.

I'll bet my pension none of us ever has a conversation with a Constable about whether our XS is or is not entitled to free road tax and MOT exemption. Ain't gonna happen.

Just remember to carry your digital ID at all times*

* that's a joke BTW.