(1)A vehicle licence may be taken out for any vehicle for any period of twelve months running from the beginning of the month in which the licence first has effect.
[F1(2)A vehicle licence may be taken out for a vehicle for a period of six months running from the beginning of the month in which the licence first has effect if—
(a)the annual rate of vehicle excise duty in respect of the vehicle exceeds £50, or
(b)the vehicle is one to which the annual rate of vehicle excise duty specified in paragraph 11C(2)(a) of Schedule 1 applies (tractive units: special cases).]
(3)The Secretary of State may by order provide that a vehicle licence may be taken out for a vehicle for such period as may be specified in the order.
(4)An order under subsection (3) may specify—
(a)a period of a fixed number of months (not exceeding fifteen) running from the beginning of the month in which the licence first has effect,
(b)in the case of [F2the first vehicle licence for] a vehicle of such description as may be specified in the order, a period exceeding by such number of days (not exceeding thirty) as may be determined by or under the order the period for which the licence would otherwise have effect by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) or of an order under paragraph (a), or
(c)in the case of a vehicle of such description (or of such description and used in such circumstances) as may be specified in the order, a period of less than one month.
(5)An order under subsection (3)—
(a)may be made so as to apply only to vehicles of specified descriptions, and
(b)may make different provision for vehicles of different descriptions or for different circumstances.
(6)The power to make an order under subsection (3) includes power to make transitional provisions and to amend or repeal subsection (1) or (2).
[F3(7)Neither subsection (2) nor any order under subsection (3) permits the first vehicle licence for a vehicle to be taken out for a period of less than twelve months if the annual rate of vehicle excise duty chargeable on the licence would be lower if it were not the first vehicle licence for the vehicle.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 3(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 87(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), s. 87(1)
F2Words in s. 3(4)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 7(1) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 4 para. 2(2)
F3S. 3(7) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 7(1) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 4 para. 2(3)