The UK Government's 'HGV road user levy' has raised £192.5 million in its first year, with £46.5m coming from foreign lorries.

Since April 1 last year, all HGVs at or above 12 tonnes gross weight using UK roads have been required to pay the levy, which costs up to £10 per day or £1,000 a year.

"The HGV levy has proved to be a great success in its first year of operation," said transport minister Andrew Jones. 

"It has raised a total of £192.5m in receipts, with £46.5m from foreign-registered vehicles and £146m from UK-registered vehicles.

"Receipts from foreign vehicles are significantly ahead of the projected £21m."

So far, more thean 160,200 foreign vehicles have been registered on the levy payment system. In total 1.9 million levies were purchased for foreign HGVs:

  • 91% were ‘daily’, ie covering only 1 or a few days
  • 3% were weekly
  • 5% monthly
  • 1% annual

Roadside enforcement has been provided by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland, and the police.

This has contributed to a levy compliance level for foreign vehicles inspected by DVSA at roadside check sites in Great Britain of 95%.

Officers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland have issued more than 3,000 fixed penalties for levy offences during its first year raising more than £900,000 in fines.

DVLA has enforced the levy alongside VED for UK-registered vehicles, and more than 99% compliance has been achieved.
 

Author: Fleet News