Motor Tax

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Recovery Vehicles

How to tax Recovery Vehicles.

A "recovery vehicle" is a vehicle that is used exclusively in connection with the lifting, towing and transporting of a disabled vehicle. Vehicles used in the transportation of plant and machinery such as low loaders are not considered to be recovery vehicles and therefore must be taxed at the goods rates.

Persons wishing to tax a vehicle for the first time as a recovery vehicle must have the vehicle inspected before it can be taxed as the appropriate class. While the Revenue Commissioners may already have certified a vehicle as a recovery vehicle on importation, this vehicle still needs to be inspected by an authorised officer from the Motor Taxation Section.

Recovery vehicles need to be inspected in the following circumstances:

  • The first taxing of a vehicle as a recovery vehicle
  • On the renewal of taxation following a change of ownership

In preparation for the inspection vehicle owners should identify the location of the chassis number on the vehicle, they will also need to present the Registration book/VRC/VLC.

In order to be considered for taxation as a recovery vehicle the following items needs to fitted to the vehicle:

  • A winch or lifting equipment needs to be permanently fitted to the vehicle
  • The vehicle must have at least two flashing beacons in working order
  • The word “Recovery Vehicle” must be inscribed on the vehicle

As from 13 August 2007, recovery vehicles require either a current roadworthiness certificate or a pass statement from an authorised tester once the vehicle is a year old.

Owners are also required to complete statutory declaration form RF111B declaring that the vehicle will be used solely as a "recovery vehicle", ie it will be used exclusively in connection with the lifting, towing and transporting of a disabled vehicle, declare that the appropriate Motor Traders/Recovery Insurance is in place under the Road Traffic Act 1961.

Documentation and requirements for first-time taxing of a recovery vehicle

  • Form RF100. In the case of a new vehicle this document is received by the customer from the garage of purchase; for imported vehicles from the Revenue Commissioners. If the owner does not have a RF100 then a RF100A form can be used
  • Confirmation of current insurance details
  • Appropriate fee
  • Certificate of Roadworthiness, if applicable.
  • Recovery Vehicle declaration form
  • It may also be necessary to provide a weigh docket
  • The vehicle will also need to be inspected prior to taxing

Documentation and requirements for the renewal of tax on a recovery vehicle

  • Computerised reminder - Motor Tax Renewal Form RF100B - this is the reminder form received from the Vehicle Registration Unit approximately 2 weeks before the tax on the vehicle expires

or

  • A fully completed Motor Tax renewal application - Form RF100A should be used in any of the following circumstances:
    • For vehicles with an arrears period
    • Where the computerised reminder - Form RF100B has not been received from the Vehicle Registration Unit
  • Certificate of Roadworthiness DOE, if applicable
  • Recovery Vehicle declaration form, if this is the first taxing of the vehicle following a change of ownership
  • The vehicle may also need to be inspected prior to taxing, if this is the first taxing of the vehicle following a change of ownership
  • It may also be necessary to provide a weigh docket