Changing boats mid year

[Wavey]

I've done a search on here and looked on the EA web site but can't find an answer about registration charges if you change boats mid year. My current boat is obviously registered for 2011 and hopefully in the near future I'll be changing it for another. My current boat will be leaving the Thames, and the new one coming to the Thames from elsewhere in the country. Am I going to get hit for two annual licenses ie there's no refund for the licence I've already paid for and I'll have to but another annual one for the new boat as it will be registered before 1 September after which half year charges are payable.

I think I know the answer already but thought it best to check.

Many thanks
Jim

 

[bumperdump]

as far as i know its going to be another new licence.

 

[rr_123]

As BumperDump says I'm afraid

Remember that this system is in place to raise money, not to be fair.

R

 

[Wavey]

Thanks for the replies guys. It is pretty much as I expected (unfortunately!).

 

[markc]

Someone I once knew peeled the licence off the old boat and stuck it on the new one and no-one noticed for the rest of the season. Just recounting an old story, not suggesting that you actually do it of course.

 

[teddington_lock]

I have to be honest , posts like that don't help.

You will put the lock staff in a very difficult position. Imagine you go through a lock and it isn't noticed , but unluckily for you , there is a patrol boat in the next reach who does notice.

You will get prosecuted for fraud , and the lock staff could potentially have problems.

Perhaps you could have a word with the person you once knew and explain the error of their ways ?

 

[watson1959]

License cost

Am I going to get hit for two annual licenses ie there's no refund for the licence I've already paid for and I'll have to but another annual one for the new boat as it will be registered before 1 September after which half year charges are payable.

....sounds like a cost that should be built into your initial offer sale price, much like the road tax on a car.....its all part of the fun of negotiating a deal

 

[No Regrets]

I have to be honest , posts like that don't help.

You will put the lock staff in a very difficult position. Imagine you go through a lock and it isn't noticed , but unluckily for you , there is a patrol boat in the next reach who does notice.

You will get prosecuted for fraud , and the lock staff could potentially have problems.

Perhaps you could have a word with the person you once knew and explain the error of their ways ?

The fraud aspect appears to emanate from the EA though doesn't it?

Even the DVLA offer refunds...

Assuming the boat in question is of the correct size, meaning there is no loss of income for the EA, where's the fraud?

 

[mlines]

Couple of assumptions:

1. Your boat is not currently Thames based?
2. It will be lifted out of the Thames later in the year?

Then, by the time you have offered, surveyed, bought and transported the boat wont we be well through the season?

Can't you put it on a visitors licence as its not currently a Thames boat and will be "leaving" the Thames later in the season?

"In any calendar year this allows visitors to travel along the Thames for a total of 67 days by purchasing up to six 1-day registrations plus two 15-day registrations and one 31-day registration"

 

[CJL]

Erm why don't you just email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk and ask your question?

Might be simpler all round!

Chris

 

[teddington_lock]

Assuming the boat in question is of the correct size, meaning there is no loss of income for the EA, where's the fraud?

So you swap your tax discs around on your cars too ?

If it's not displayed on the boat it was issued to , its the same thing.

Two cars might both be £245 a year to tax them , but the tax disc is vehicle specific , as is our licence.

 

[markc]

So you swap your tax discs around on your cars too ?

But as No Regrests pointed out, you can get a refund on any unused portion of Road Tax and put it towards a new licence, so little need to swap them between cars. Perhaps it's the unfairness of the system that may encourage this type of abuse?

 

[No Regrets]

That was the remainder of my point

 

[teddington_lock]

But as No Regrests pointed out, you can get a refund on any unused portion of Road Tax and put it towards a new licence, so little need to swap them between cars. Perhaps it's the unfairness of the system that may encourage this type of abuse?

Maybe ?

I'll be sure to keep a better eye out when i'm checking licences though from now on , and remind my collegues to do the same

 

[boatone]

I've done a search on here and looked on the EA web site but can't find an answer about registration charges if you change boats mid year.

From the notes attached to the Registration Application and Renewal Form:

‘Full rate’ registration charges apply to every launch (except certain visiting launches normally used on other waterways and launches registered on or after 1 September). Certificates expire on 31 December (except for visitors); there is no other ‘pro-rata’ rate for part of a calendar year.
‘Late’ registration launch certificate first valid on or after 1 September in any year is charged at one-half of the ‘full rate’: certificates expire on the 31 December following issue date. Please mark your application ‘Late’. Note: Late registration is not available to visiting launches registered for any period prior to 1 September.

As I understand it, the Inland Waterways Order permits the EA to vary the charging regime, including introducing a rolling year registration, if they choose to do so. They have said they will consider the rolling year option for future years but they have not, to my knowledge, made any comment about the possibility of refunds for periods of unused registration if a boat actually leaves the Thames permanently.
In the meantime, transfer of ownership carries with it the existing registration for the remainder of the current year although you must advise Reading of the change of ownership.

 

[Wavey]

I've spoken with the boat registration people at the EA and have to say they were more than helpful.

In a nutshell, if my existing boat is leaving the Thames and is being replaced by one coming from somewhere other than the Thames all I have to do is send them the old boat's licence with the application for the new boats licence and they'll just charge me the difference.

Very fair and I'm more than happy with that.

 

[markc]

Agreed - very fair indeed