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Environmental vehicle tax for lorries and buses

To tackle the problem of traffic pollution, which damages the environment and health, the government introduced vehicle tax incentives for drivers of larger vehicles and buses. Drivers can tax their vehicles in one of the reduced pollution taxation classes when they produce a valid Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC).

How to qualify

To be eligible, your vehicle must normally have been registered in the UK prior to 1 October 2006. It must also have been adapted to achieve a higher emission standard than the standard required by the European Union (EU) Directive when the vehicle was manufactured.

To achieve this standard, your vehicle must be fitted with either a 'particulate trap' to the exhaust system, or a new engine. You should note that as long as the vehicle tax lasts, the vehicle must continue to satisfy current reduced pollution standards.

Vehicles fitted with Euro 5 or EEV engines and NOx control may also benefit from an RPC provided they are registered in the UK prior to 1 October 2009. See RPCs for early compliant Euro 5 and EEV vehicles with NOx control for special arrangements for these vehicles.

How to get a RPC

To obtain a RPC other than for a first certificate for a vehicle manufactured with a Euro 5 or EEV vehicle with NOx control, you will have to contact your local Vehicle Operators Services Agency (VOSA) testing station with the following information:

  • registration mark of the vehicle
  • vehicle identification number or chassis number of the vehicle
  • make, model and date of manufacture
  • details of the modification(s) made to the vehicle to enable it to meet the reduced pollution standard

Arrangements will be made for your vehicle to be submitted for a physical examination to determine that it satisfies the reduced pollution standard or has the approved equipment installed. See the Environmental VED Test page for more information.

How to tax a used vehicle with an RPC

To tax your used vehicle in the reduced pollution class for the first time, you will need to apply to a Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) local office or by post to DVA, Coleraine, BT51 3TA.

You will need to make your application on vehicle tax application form V12(NI) for lorries or V10(NI) for buses. These must be accompanied by the original RPC and supporting documentation. Please see the relevant section on how to tax a lorry, bus and other vehicles without a reminder.

You will also need application form V14(NI) to apply for a refund on the existing tax disc or alternatively, you can apply for an exchange tax disc using form V17(NI). For further information please see the section on how to apply for a refund on your vehicle tax and how to exchange a tax disc.

Forms V10(NI), V12(NI) and V14(NI) are available for download below;

Future vehicle tax renewals will need to be made at a DVA local office or by post to DVA, Coleraine, BT51 3TA using renewal reminder forms V11(NI) or V13(NI), issued by the DVA.