Vehicle Tax Changes – How will the Changes Affect You?

It is thought that close to half of UK drivers are unaware of the upcoming changes to vehicle tax, are you one of these people?

The windscreens of our vehicles are set to change from 1^st October 2014 when the familiar British Tax Disc becomes obsolete.

However, the changes are greater than the abolition of the printed disc.  The Government are taking this opportunity to update the vehicle tax scheme, here is summary of the changes and importantly the new requirements when buying and selling a vehicle.

Displaying a Tax Disc

Tax discs will not need to be displayed in vehicles from 1^st October 2014. 

Does My Vehicle Still Require Taxing

If you want to drive or keep a vehicle on the road, you will still need to have tax on your vehicle. 

How Do You Know If a Vehicle is Taxed

Records of the tax status of any vehicle can be checked on the DVLA’s website by entering the registration and make.

How Will I Know When to Renew the Tax?

A reminder will be sent to the Registered Keeper advising that the tax will expire.

Paying for Vehicle Tax

From October an additional monthly payment option will be available.  Therefore, if your vehicle tax is due for renewal from November 2014 you can choose to pay for your tax either annually, 6 monthly or monthly by direct debit.

Monthly payments can be made provided you keep a valid MOT on the vehicle.  These payments will be taken until you inform the DVLA to stop taking the payments or you cancel the direct debit with your bank.

How Will Car Tax Evaders be Caught?

Cars will be tracked by automatic number plate recognition cameras, so motorists who are not up to date with their tax payments can be identified, and related fines will be issued.

Buying a Vehicle

After 1^st October 2014 the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred to the vehicle purchased.  Therefore, you will need to get new vehicle tax before you can use the vehicle.

Tax can be purchased online using the New Keeper Supplement of the Vehicle Registration Certificate or by phone using an automated service, or at a branch of the Post Office.

Selling a Vehicle

Vehicle tax refunds are available for anyone selling a car after 1^st October 2014.  If you inform the DVLA you will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax.

Sellers should notify DVLA of any change to ownership straight away or face fines for the delay.

Vehicle Tax Refunds

Refunds will be automatic once the DVLA receive notification from the person named on the DVLA vehicle register that the vehicle has either been sold or transferred, scrapped at an Authorised Treatment Facility, exported, registered with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) or if the registered keeper has changed the tax class on the vehicle to an exempt duty tax class.

Exclusions for the Direct Debit Scheme

The monthly Direct Debit scheme is not available for first registration vehicles, fleet schemes and HGV’s (paying the Road User Levy).

CSM Offer Fair Delivery Charges to Rural Consumers

The UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Jo Swinson MP recently highlighted an issue close to our heart – Fair delivery charges for the UK as a whole.

It is something that we at CSM Logistics have always been proud to offer.  The same cost for the same service, to every UK destination.

It has been identified that this ethos is not shared by all.

CSM can help any online retailer bring their delivery services in line with these guidelines by either setting up an account with us, and managing your deliveries through our website.  Alternatively we have written some software that can integrate our delivery service with your existing online shop giving you the same delivery options via your own website.

The Government have unveiled new best practices for businesses including couriers, online retailers and parcel delivery companies on how they can make sure that charges to remote communities are clearer.  The result should see a fairer delivery charges for these consumers with the costs of the delivery services being available up front.

The emphasis is on online retailers to ensure that there is no discrimination based on the location of the consumer.

Lights Out

“The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time” 
Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, 3^th August 1914

These poignant words spoken the day before the outbreak of the First World War are the inspiration for Lights Out.  Residents, businesses and other buildings in the UK are invited to turn off their lights from 10pm to 11pm tonight, Monday 4^th August 2014, in remembrance of the outbreak of World War I.

It is suggested that one single light or candle be left on as a symbol of reflection marking the 100 year anniversary of the First World War.

It is expected that millions of people will take part in the Lights Out commemoration.

 

Fun Filled Fleurfest 2014

CSM’s sister company Abingdon Freight Forwarding Agency (AFFA) are proud to have sponsored the Fleurfest Music Festival which took place at the weekend.  Affa were delighted to offer logistics support and also provided staging for the event.

Fleurfest, held at the Fleur de Lys, East Hagbourne Oxfordshire, was host to many live bands in a celebration of live music combined with a real ale festival.  The annual family festival not only draws class live bands and entertainers it also supports the best local cover bands too.

Headliners included the Krissy Matthews Blues Band, who supplied their smooth blues rock style, the bands popularity is growing increasingly through Europe and from their performance on Friday it was clear to see why.  The heavier sound of Mick Quinn’s db Band were a hit with Saturday’s crowd, while the beautiful soulful set by Lilian Boutte summed up the amazing array of music which ensured that there was music for all tastes.

Another highlight of this year’s event saw a dance off between a troop of Morris men and belly dancers, energetic performances by both, no official winner, but we think the belly dances were ahead by a wiggle!

Duchess played an enchanting set and there were plenty of smiles for Tumbledown Dick, the barn dance band.

Fleurfest 2014 was a resounding success, a big thank you to all organisers for a job well done, and we are already looking forward to next year!

Excitement Growing for Glasgow 2014

The day of the opening ceremony has arrived and excitement is growing!  All eyes will be on Glasgow’s Celtic Park at 9pm as The Queen formally opens the Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow is set to welcome 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories, all of which are within CSM Logistics delivery reach.  The athletes will be competing in 17 sports over the 11 day duration of the games.

The ceremony itself is reported to have a distinctly Glaswegian feel.  David Zolkwer, head of the ceremony has said:

“It’s got humour, warmth, celebrating what we have in common.  Having said all that, it will always feel like it was created in Glasgow”

“So, although we are telling a universal story, we are telling it with a distinctly Glaswegian accent, which means we are going to be irreverent, funny, principled, sincere, inclusive, personal, direct.”

It sounds fascinating!

The symbolic tradition of Queen’s Baton Relay will, of course, be featured as part of the ceremony along with its message of peace and harmony through sports.  Performances from the iconic Scotsman Rod Stewart, along with acts from Susan Boyle and Amy McDonald are set to make this a stunning opening show.

We would like to wish all athletes the very best of luck through the games, and in particular those representing our home nations of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man and of course to our hosts Scotland.

CSM Logistics Announce New Location of Oxford Branch

We have moved!  Our Oxford branch moved premises over the weekend, our move brings more space so that we can better serve our customers.

From today our new address is:

Unit 200 Milton Park
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX14 4TB

Our new telephone number is 0845 177 0017

We will still be offering the same friendly services as before, so please do not hesitate to get in touch!

The Holiday Season is Upon Us - Are You Safe?

Summer is here at long last, and many of us will be looking at getting away on holiday, I know I will be.  But it is not only holiday makers that love the summer season, burglars are equally excited at the prospect of empty houses.

With our evolving world of social media and our ever visible online presence, it is well worth taking a step back and remembering that it is not only our friends that are able to see what we are posting.  So, unless we are careful we could potentially leave ourselves vulnerable to the criminals in society and inadvertently provide information which can be used against us.

I know as well as the next person, that holidays are one of the best things to share with your social world, but for your safety, it is probably better to keep the news to yourself till you are home. 

But if you are looking to maintain your online voice, here are just a few things worth considering whilst you are away:

• Check your privacy to see if your post gives your current location, if it does change it before you make your post.
• Avoid checking in on Facebook, this just will confirm that you are away from home.
• Do not post information about your holiday plans, especially dates and locations, at any time.
• Check that you haven’t added your home address or telephone number to your profile.
• Wait until your holiday is over before your upload your holiday snaps.

Here is some information from www.fightcyberstalking.org on using Twitter privacy setting, you might find firmer ways of protecting yourself.

Also, there is an excellent guide from Digital Trends to help you tighten up your Facebook security settings, to make you as safe as you can be.

Don’t forget to check all other sites you have accounts with, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. too.

Stay safe and enjoy your summer!