Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 section 43A

Failure to have nil licence for exempt vehicle

Section 43A makes it an offence to use or keep an exempt vehicle on a public road without the required nil licence (that is, a tax disc showing zero duty) being in force.

• Even though no vehicle excise duty is payable on an exempt vehicle, the keeper must still obtain and display a nil licence if regulations require one.
• Using or keeping an exempt vehicle on a public road without a valid nil licence is a criminal offence.
• The maximum penalty on summary conviction is a fine at level 2 on the standard scale (currently £500).
• The Secretary of State has power to settle proceedings for this offence out of court and may also make regulations providing exceptions.