Do you require insurance coverage for a lawnmower or mobility scooter?

Do you have a sit-on lawnmower, or use a mobility scooter to assist you get to and from the shops?

If so, then you might properly be in line for a nasty shock.

Golf buggies, sit-on lawnmowers and mobility scooters can all be utilized without having insurance coverage under current UK laws.

Lawnmowers, for example, only want cover if they are driven in public locations, whilst mobility scooters can be driven on roads without having insurance coverage.

But a selection by a Brussels court signifies that any individual wanting to use these so-referred to as ‘niche’ automobiles may now need to have automobile insurance to do so – all simply because of a European Union (EU) Directive from 1972.

Sounds crazy doesn’t it? But it could nonetheless end up getting the law.

What’s going on?

Under UK law, niche motorised vehicles such as mobility scooters and sit-on lawnmowers do not call for the very same level of insurance coverage as cars and vans.

Now, although, it would seem that the EU desires all autos of this type to have at least third-celebration automobile insurance, in keeping with an EU directive that dates from April 24, 1972.

The directive in query is about “insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles” and states that ‘vehicle’ indicates “any motor car intended for travel on land and propelled by mechanical power, but not running on rails”.

Why is this taking place now?

You may nicely be questioning why a directive that has been in spot for 43 years is all of a sudden being dredged up and brought to bear on British gardeners and golfers.

The reason is a 2014 court case brought by Damijan Vnuk, a farm worker from Slovenia who injured himself falling off a ladder that was hit by a tractor.

Motor insurers refused to cover his claim because the incident took place on private property and involved a vehicle becoming used as an “agricultural machine”.

However, the European Court of Justice ruled in September that Vnuk’s accident must have been covered by compulsory car insurance coverage.

And that implies that any moving car utilised in the EU should now have motor insurance, regardless of no matter whether it is becoming used on public and private land.

This is at odds with current British laws that only need such automobiles to be insured only if they are on a “road or other public place”.

What this means for you if…

You have a mobility scooter

The government strongly advises mobility scooter drivers to take out insurance coverage to cover accident or theft.

Even so, they do not have to be insured by law.

And although the last Government looked set to make insurance coverage for mobility scooters a legal requirement, it is now unclear when this will happen.

Mobility scooter customers without insurance are still legal for the moment as a result.

Taking out cover now could save you from a pricey claim ought to you be involved in an accident, although. You can get third celebration insurance with breakdown cover for about £90 a year.

You have a sit-on lawnmower

Sit-on lawnmowers – and other similar automobiles such as quad bikes – already need insurance if they are to be driven on public roads.

Cover of this type expenses around £100 a year, and might quickly grow to be a legal requirement for all lawnmower owners.

Other choices obtainable in the meantime contain public liability insurance coverage for expert gardeners, and house contents private liability cover for home owners with motorised lawnmowers.

You have a golf buggy

At the moment, only golf buggies utilised on public roads need auto insurance.

Nonetheless, if the EU gets its way, these used solely on golf courses will also want to be covered with third celebration insurance coverage.

The difficulty if that happens is that handful of insurers supply cover for buggies that are taken off the golf course.

Even though you can get insurance coverage that includes private liability insurance for about £25 a year, even specialist policies do not cover you for journeys on public roads.

Image: 

 Quingo Plus Mobility Scooter,E10 by Sludge G is licensed below CC BY-SA 

Do you require insurance coverage for a lawnmower or mobility scooter?

What You Require to Know About Auto Insurance Quotes in No-Fault States

Receiving car insurance coverage quotes can be time consuming. After you’ve gathered all your info, you have to enter it on kind following type. And if your state demands automobile insurance coverage beyond traditional liability, the quote you do acquire may possibly be higher than you’d like.

That is frequently accurate in so-called no-fault states, in which insurers are required to compensate their clients for damage regardless of who was at fault. Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota and Utah call for no-fault coverage, and the coverage is optional in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

With no-fault insurance coverage, drivers are required to acquire personal injury protection, or PIP, which can add quite a bit to the expense of insurance. Eight of the leading 10 most pricey cities for car insurance coverage — including Detroit, Philadelphia and Miami — are in no-fault states, according to a 2014 NerdWallet study, although other factors can also contribute to higher rates.

No-fault insurance also limits the appropriate of policyholders to sue in the occasion of an accident.

Even though it does make it tougher to uncover cheap automobile insurance coverage, the private injury protection provided in no-fault states does have a number of essential benefits. And you don’t require to enter any extra information to obtain a quote for it. If you live in a no-fault state, you auto insurer will merely include it in the rate it offers.

PIP gives protection for a price

If you reside in a no-fault state, your auto insurance coverage quote will be made up of at least 2 diverse coverages: liability and individual injury protection.

PIP covers healthcare and associated fees for drivers and their passengers. Its coverage is a lot broader than what is usually presented by health insurance coverage. Depending on your policy and your state, PIP can spend not only for health-related costs but also for lost wages, assist around the home and funeral costs. Some PIP plans will also cover electric wheelchairs and wheelchair vans.

Most states that call for PIP have a legal minimum, just as each and every state calls for drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. For instance, Florida needs at least $ 10,000 in PIP and Minnesota calls for $ 40,000. Normally you can buy much more if you like. Drivers in Michigan automatically carry limitless PIP positive aspects. If you do not live in a no-fault state, you can most likely get PIP as an alternative.

Other needed coverages can add to your quote

Some no-fault states also call for drivers to get coverage in addition to liability and PIP. If your state has these needs, your quote will reflect that. For instance, New York state drivers have to get uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage, which pays for health-related and auto repair expenses brought on by drivers with no adequate coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist policies are also necessary in Kansas, Minnesota and North Dakota.

As in any state, your quote will also change primarily based on any elective coverages you decide on, such as complete or collision, as effectively as your driving record, age, location and other person elements.

Just keep an eye on the coverage limits and deductibles your insurer utilizes for your quote. If the carrier quotes you for the legal minimum, and you want more protection, the actual price you pay will be larger.

Receiving auto insurance coverage quotes on the internet might seem quicker and easier than generating an appointment with an agent — and occasionally it is. But if you have concerns, take into account a sit-down with a licensed agent. He or she can support you choose acceptable coverage limits and make positive the price you’re quoted is as close as achievable to the premium you’ll pay.

Alice Holbrook is a staff writer covering insurance and investing for NerdWallet. Follow her on Google+.

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What You Require to Know About Auto Insurance Quotes in No-Fault States

Why Retirees Might Nonetheless Require Life Insurance coverage

You’re retired. The little ones are out of the house and living on their own. There’s no need to have to keep paying for life insurance, correct?

Not so quick. Just before you let your policy lapse, take into account some monetary exceptions that could make life insurance coverage crucial nicely into your 60s and beyond.

You are in debt

Retirees nonetheless paying off big loans or mortgages may want to preserve term life insurance coverage in spot so their spouses or other loved ones are not saddled with the bills following death. To handle charges, acquire just sufficient coverage to final until the payments are scheduled to finish. And buy only sufficient to cover the debt — no far more.

You’re nonetheless working

Term life insurance may possibly also make sense if you continue to work in retirement to supplement your earnings, even element-time. Term life is a excellent tool for earnings replacement if a spouse or young children nevertheless rely on you financially. It all depends on how much you earn and how considerably your savings fall short of your spouse’s and children’s income demands.

Life insurance can also be critical to your spouse if you are receiving a pension that would quit after your death.

You’re raising grandchildren

The past 30 years have noticed a big jump in the number of grandparents raising grandchildren. About 10% of all young children now live with a grandparent, according to census data, and an estimated 2.7 million grandparents have been regarded as grandparent “caregivers” in 2012.

Retirees may possibly want to contemplate maintaining life insurance coverage coverage if they financially assistance grandchildren who are not but self-sufficient.

You have a special needs kid

If you have a child or grandchild with specific needs, life insurance coverage can give funds for their education, transportation, medical care or living expenses following you are gone. Some monetary planners recommend a “survivorship life insurance” policy, which pays out only following both parents pass away. Survivorship life policies insure 2 men and women at after and are typically much less high-priced than buying 2 separate policies.

You want to cover your funeral expenses

Some retirees have life insurance coverage particularly to cover their funeral, so their family has a way to pay for it. Policies intended to cover final expenses and a funeral are normally small, such as $ 10,000 to $ 50,000.

You want another investment automobile

Permanent life insurance coverage is touted by some agents and economic planners as a great investment if you have the funds to set aside and aren’t averse to risk. The cash value inside a permanent life policy grows totally free of revenue tax, and the policyholder can access the funds that build up.

There are critics of this strategy, though, who argue the investment selections are as well restricted and do not offer you as a lot of a return as a diversified stock portfolio. Authorities normally advocate that you max out other retirement-savings possibilities just before contemplating permanent life insurance as an investment.

For most retirees, life insurance is an unnecessary expense. But everyone’s predicament is distinct, and these are some of the scenarios in which continuing coverage — or buying a new policy — tends to make sense.

Sarah Cooke is a employees writer covering personal finance for NerdWallet. Follow her on Twitter @sarah_wolfe and on Google+.

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Why Retirees Might Nonetheless Require Life Insurance coverage

What You Require to Get an Auto Insurance Quote

by Alice Holbrook on March 13, 2015 | posted in Automobile Insurance coverage

The process of discovering the ideal auto insurance coverage quote can look so daunting that you may feel like sticking with your existing insurer rather than generating the effort to comparison shop. But the time spent acquiring a handful of quotes each and every year can assist guarantee that you are not paying also much for the appropriate coverage.

Fortunately, most significant insurers have simple and fast on-line quoting processes. And you will save even more time if you have the right information handy when you start your quote request.

Fundamental personal data. Who are you? Where do you reside? When had been you born? Most car insurance quotes will commence with this data. Be sure to list the place exactly where your auto will be parked most often as your address, not a friend’s or family member’s property.

Car info. The on-line quoting kind will usually ask no matter whether you personal, finance or lease the vehicle you’d like to insure, what safety features it has and how numerous miles you drive daily and annually. Have your car’s VIN (automobile identification number) handy.

In addition, the insurer will want to know about the “use” of the auto — for example, for driving to function or for pleasure. This helps the firm give you an correct auto insurance coverage quote. If you use your vehicle to do your job — outside of commuting — you need to get a quote for a organization auto policy. This typically expenses more than individual auto coverage.

Driver data. The auto insurer will ask about you and any other licensed drivers in your household, including how long you have been licensed and regardless of whether you personal your residence. They’ll probably also ask what firm insures you now.

Driving history. Most firms will want to establish how “risky” you are as a driver. Have any drivers in your household had a moving violation, an accident or a claim in the last couple of years? Some firms, like State Farm, consider violations as old as 5 years, so you might have to do some digging for the information you need. Try to discover the dates of the difficulty so that you do not have to guess.

Preferred coverage limits. Have the declarations web page of your present or most current auto insurance coverage policy handy. This will support you fill in coverage levels for liability, collision and complete, and choose deductibles. Inputting your present coverage limits helps you evaluate apples to apples.

Geico and Esurance aren’t the only firms that can give you a fast auto insurance coverage quote these days, specifically if you are ready for the approach. On the web quotes will assist you narrow down your options but they’re not constantly binding. When you have submitted your quote, an agent or business representative will usually make contact with you. They may have follow-up questions and can give a final cost.

Alice Holbrook is a employees writer covering insurance coverage and investing for NerdWallet. Stick to her on Google+.

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What You Require to Get an Auto Insurance Quote

Clearing snow off the pavement? No require to kerb your enthusiasm

Final year may well have been the warmest on record, but 2015 has brought us up sharp with reminder of just how bitter the climate can be in January.

Temperatures have fallen as low as minus 13.7 degrees centigrade in Scotland, and most components of the UK have noticed at least a dusting of winter snow.

Far more is forecast, which raises a hoary old query – do you clear an accumulation off the pavement in front of your property, or do you let sleeping flakes lie?

Are you liable if someone slips and injures themselves – or any other passing elves – outside your house?

All clear for shovellers?

Lord Freud, the well being and security minister, wants people across Britain do a very good deed and clear snow from footpaths with out worrying about receiving sued.

Presenting his evaluation of the predicament, Lord Freud stated: “People want to be aware that they will not be reprimanded for undertaking a good deed by clearing ice and snow.”

But why do individuals even consider that clearing snow could lead to a court case?

Myth the point

In past winters, media reports have claimed that overall health and security regulations imply clearing snow at your residence (or your neighbour’s) or outside your company could leave you at danger of litigation.

Leave a footpath in a treacherous condition, the stories mentioned, and you could be sued for any injuries due to folks slipping, for instance.

So Lord Freud is worried that would-be excellent Samaritans may leave their shovels in the shed for worry their effectively-intentioned action could backfire on them.

Acquiring the drift

And he is not the only 1 in the government speaking out to encourage men and women to clear snow if and when it comes in quantity.

Judith Hackitt, chair of the Health and Safety Executive, no significantly less, said: “Anyone can clear ice and snow from public spaces, so don’t be put off because you’re afraid someone will get injured.

“Remember, men and women walking on snow and ice have a duty to themselves to be cautious.”

Snow-go locations

As effectively busting misunderstandings about clearing snow, the government has put together a list of top ideas to support you do it appropriate.

Now, we’re not suggesting for a moment that you want suggestions on how to clear snow, but right here they are anyway…

1. Do it promptly right after the snow falls – it’ll easier to move when it is fresh and loose.

2. Don’t use water to wash snow away – it may well refreeze and turn into black ice.

3. Use salt if feasible – it will melt the ice or snow and stop it from refreezing overnight (but do not use salt from roadside salting bins as this is necessary to keep roads clear).

4. Use ash and sand if you don’t have enough salt – it will give grip underfoot.

5. Spend further focus when clearing steps and steep pathways – making use of a lot more salt may possibly assist.

Panel beaters

The Wellness and Safety Executive is keen to cease bogus excuses give actual security laws a undesirable name. So if you come across a myth masquerading as well being and safety regulation, why not report it to the Wellness and Security Executive’s (HSE) Myth Busters Challenge Panel? It has busted 336 myths because launch in April 2012.

Preserve us up to speed in the box beneath.

Clearing snow off the pavement? No require to kerb your enthusiasm

Clearing snow off the pavement? No require to kerb your enthusiasm

Last year might have been the warmest on record, but 2015 has brought us up sharp with reminder of just how bitter the climate can be in January.

Temperatures have fallen as low as minus 13.7 degrees centigrade in Scotland, and most components of the UK have observed at least a dusting of winter snow.

More is forecast, which raises a hoary old question – do you clear an accumulation off the pavement in front of your residence, or do you let sleeping flakes lie?

Are you liable if an individual slips and injures themselves – or any other passing elves – outdoors your home?

All clear for shovellers?

Lord Freud, the health and safety minister, wants men and women across Britain do a excellent deed and clear snow from footpaths without worrying about acquiring sued.

Presenting his evaluation of the scenario, Lord Freud stated: “People want to be aware that they will not be reprimanded for doing a excellent deed by clearing ice and snow.”

But why do folks even believe that clearing snow could lead to a court case?

Myth the point

In past winters, media reports have claimed that well being and security regulations imply clearing snow at your home (or your neighbour’s) or outside your organization could leave you at threat of litigation.

Leave a footpath in a treacherous condition, the stories mentioned, and you could be sued for any injuries due to people slipping, for example.

So Lord Freud is worried that would-be great Samaritans might leave their shovels in the shed for fear their nicely-intentioned action could backfire on them.

Obtaining the drift

And he is not the only one particular in the government speaking out to encourage folks to clear snow if and when it comes in quantity.

Judith Hackitt, chair of the Wellness and Safety Executive, no less, mentioned: “Anyone can clear ice and snow from public spaces, so do not be place off due to the fact you’re afraid somebody will get injured.

“Remember, men and women walking on snow and ice have a duty to themselves to be cautious.”

Snow-go regions

As well busting misunderstandings about clearing snow, the government has put with each other a list of prime suggestions to help you do it right.

Now, we’re not suggesting for a moment that you require tips on how to clear snow, but here they are anyway…

1. Do it promptly right after the snow falls – it’ll easier to move when it is fresh and loose.

2. Don’t use water to wash snow away – it might refreeze and turn into black ice.

3. Use salt if possible – it will melt the ice or snow and cease it from refreezing overnight (but do not use salt from roadside salting bins as this is needed to hold roads clear).

4. Use ash and sand if you do not have adequate salt – it will supply grip underfoot.

5. Pay further interest when clearing steps and steep pathways – making use of a lot more salt may aid.

Panel beaters

The Health and Safety Executive is keen to quit bogus excuses give true security laws a poor name. So if you come across a myth masquerading as overall health and safety regulation, why not report it to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Myth Busters Challenge Panel? It has busted 336 myths considering that launch in April 2012.

Hold us up to speed in the box beneath.

Clearing snow off the pavement? No require to kerb your enthusiasm

Clearing snow off the pavement? No require to kerb your enthusiasm

Last year might have been the warmest on record, but 2015 has brought us up sharp with reminder of just how bitter the climate can be in January.

Temperatures have fallen as low as minus 13.7 degrees centigrade in Scotland, and most components of the UK have observed at least a dusting of winter snow.

More is forecast, which raises a hoary old question – do you clear an accumulation off the pavement in front of your residence, or do you let sleeping flakes lie?

Are you liable if a person slips and injures themselves – or any other passing elves – outdoors your property?

All clear for shovellers?

Lord Freud, the health and security minister, wants individuals across Britain do a great deed and clear snow from footpaths with out worrying about obtaining sued.

Presenting his analysis of the predicament, Lord Freud said: “People need to be aware that they will not be reprimanded for undertaking a very good deed by clearing ice and snow.”

But why do men and women even consider that clearing snow could lead to a court case?

Myth the point

In past winters, media reports have claimed that wellness and safety regulations imply clearing snow at your home (or your neighbour’s) or outdoors your organization could leave you at danger of litigation.

Leave a footpath in a treacherous condition, the stories mentioned, and you could be sued for any injuries due to men and women slipping, for example.

So Lord Freud is worried that would-be excellent Samaritans may leave their shovels in the shed for worry their effectively-intentioned action could backfire on them.

Obtaining the drift

And he is not the only one particular in the government speaking out to encourage folks to clear snow if and when it comes in quantity.

Judith Hackitt, chair of the Well being and Safety Executive, no much less, mentioned: “Anyone can clear ice and snow from public spaces, so don’t be place off due to the fact you are afraid a person will get injured.

“Remember, men and women walking on snow and ice have a duty to themselves to be careful.”

Snow-go regions

As nicely busting misunderstandings about clearing snow, the government has place with each other a list of prime ideas to help you do it correct.

Now, we’re not suggesting for a moment that you want advice on how to clear snow, but here they are anyway…

1. Do it promptly right after the snow falls – it’ll easier to move when it’s fresh and loose.

2. Don’t use water to wash snow away – it may refreeze and turn into black ice.

3. Use salt if possible – it will melt the ice or snow and cease it from refreezing overnight (but do not use salt from roadside salting bins as this is required to hold roads clear).

4. Use ash and sand if you do not have adequate salt – it will offer grip underfoot.

5. Spend additional consideration when clearing steps and steep pathways – making use of a lot more salt may aid.

Panel beaters

The Overall health and Security Executive is keen to cease bogus excuses give real security laws a negative name. So if you come across a myth masquerading as wellness and security regulation, why not report it to the Overall health and Security Executive’s (HSE) Myth Busters Challenge Panel? It has busted 336 myths because launch in April 2012.

Keep us up to speed in the box under.

Clearing snow off the pavement? No require to kerb your enthusiasm

The 17 Issues You Require to Know About the 2017 Ford GT Supercar

2017 Ford GT: The facts

Ford’;s all-new GT supercar was the smash hit of the 2015 Detroit auto show, and despite the fact that we were provided its basic specs, we have been hungry for more. So we cornered any individual we could locate from Ford to give us the 600-plus-hp sports car’;s juicier particulars.

Anyone care for a quickie?

The GT “concept” Ford put on display in Detroit looks mighty production ready, suggesting that the skunkworks project has been in motion for years. In truth, we’;re told the auto has observed just one particular year of improvement perform so far—yet the final automobile is due next year. That’;s hyperspeed in the automobile globe.

Speaking of speedy improvement . . .

Ford expects the very first production prototype to be in action this spring. Spy photographers, get ready.

All carbon-fiber, all hand-laid

The in-residence low-cost carbon-fiber improvement system Ford has fired up in collaboration with Dow Chemical has small to do with the GT project. In truth, the carbon fiber in the GT’;s chassis tub and bodywork will be hand-laid and production most likely will be handled by an outdoors supplier.

Ford is targeting the ideal power-to-weight ratio—of any car

When Ford’;s global performance vehicle chief engineer Jamal Hameedi began to inform us how his team was targeting “the ideal power-to-weight ratio,” we figured the sentence would end with “in its class.” Nope. Hameedi alternatively capped off the claim with “of any automobile on the market place.” Ford has yet to reveal the GT’;s weight, but we’;re expecting it to be crazy light. As for the engine, Ford promises more than 600 horsepower.

Why no fancy footwear?

The GT on Ford’;s Detroit show stand rolled on typical aluminum wheels, in contrast to the Mustang Shelby GT350R sitting nearby that automobile has ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber wheels. Offered how fanatical Ford is getting about the GT’;s weight, you’;d feel these high-tech and mass-decreasing rims would be on the GT, too. Ford tells us it is seeking at the possibility.

Active aero is Often cool

The GT’;s rear spoiler is complete of tricks, such as an air brake function. The wing can each rise vertically and tilt, its horizontal surface angling upward for to capture further downforce and drag when required.

Up and down

Riding on a what Ford calls an “active” suspension, the GT can reduce itself at speed for stability and greater aerodynamics. In correct supercar kind, a button in the cabin can lift the front end when faced with inconsiderately designed driveway ramps and sped humps.

Of course it has Brembos

Front and rear, the GT attributes carbon-ceramic Brembo brake rotors and calipers. Just as the Nürburgring is practically a required quit on any automobile improvement engineer’;s world tour, so apparently are Brembo’;s offices.

Outright speed is not Ford’;s priority

There is no query about it: The 2017 GT will be quickly. But Ford did not set out to grab top-speed records or acceleration honors. Alternatively, we’;re told Ford is chasing “lap times, lap instances, lap instances” and is seeking ultimate handling. Oh, and Ford is organizing to take the GT to Le Mans in 2016—the street auto partially exists for homologation reasons—and is putting Ferrari in its crosshairs. The 1960s are back, child.

No electric motor to see here!

As you probably already ascertained, this is the front of the Ford GT. It doesn’;t have something in it—well, apart from a radiator, some cool heat-exhausting vents, and the pushrod-actuated front suspension. There is no electric motor powering the front axle, as there is in Porsche’;s 918 Spyder, and neither is there one particular in the back. Ford did not want to sacrifice low weight for heavy hybrid components like motors and batteries. Oh, and the sports vehicle is intended to showcase Ford’;s EcoBoost engine branding, a mission that’;d be complex by a hybrid method.

Buttressing the air is its thing—wait, is that even a factor?

A single of our favourite items about the GT is the way its passenger cell tapers to nearly a point at the car’;s tail, and the channels that creates in between the “fuselage” and the rear wheels. Far far more than a flamboyant flourish, these pathways forces the air to bend and submit to the GT’;s will. The flying buttresses linking the roof to every rear fender could seem flat, but they are in fact curved in section. This is due to the fact they are truly wings—cut them in half, and they are airfoil-shaped. They produce downforce, in addition to directing air flowing around the auto to the rear spoiler.

A difficult breather

Amazingly, Ford identified a second use for the GT’;s flying buttresses: Intake tubes. Every single hollow panel (one particular per side) houses piping that flows from an air-to-air intercooler ahead of each rear wheel (visible through the massive vents on the fenders). Intake air is scooped up from beneath the GT, compressed in each turbocharger, and then shot by means of the intercoolers before twisting its way up the winglets and down into the engine. Sweet.

Damn, these taillights have some hot breath!

After passing by way of the fender-mounted intercoolers, newly heated air then flows above every single rear wheel to the GT’;s tail, where it exits via the centers of the taillights. Yep, the appear of these lamps is not by accident.

Heart of the beast

The GT’;s EcoBoost twin-turbocharged, direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 engine shares far a lot more with the EcoBoost 6 in Ford’;s Daytona Prototype LMP2 race vehicle than it does with any roadgoing Ford engine. With a lot more than 600 horsepower, the GT’;s V-6 earns the awesome “Powered by Ford” branding.

Those wild exhaust outlets will stay—and that is a very good issue

Oh yeah, baby, Ford plans on keeping the 2 colossal, jetfighter-like exhaust outlets appropriate where they are, high up on the rear bumper. These cannons, are just finishers, however—the actual exhaust pipes terminate a couple of inches ahead of them. We never care, the openings look the enterprise.

It has a backup camera!

With a close to-horizontal rear window that is roughly one particular and a half feet wide, parking is almost certainly going to be the least-entertaining thing you could do in a GT. So the hyperFord has a backup camera nestled in the nether regions of its diffuser. It makes sense, of course, as the factors are federally mandated following 2016.

Just 5 % to go

According to Ford VP of design and style Moray Callum, the styling is 95 percent complete. That last 5 percent? We’;re told the GT needs little factors like the door mirrors bigger than teaspoons and subtle lighting tweaks to be salable. Otherwise, what you see here is what is going to hit driveways. This is great news simply because, nicely, just appear at the issue.

The 17 Issues You Require to Know About the 2017 Ford GT Supercar

What you require to know just before getting a auto for your youngster

Are you looking to buy a car for your son or daughter?

As a parent, keeping costs low and ensuring the vehicle is safe are the 2 key concerns. But there doesn’t have to be a trade-off between the 2.

I asked Crispin Moger (pictured), CEO at Marmalade, provider of cars and insurance for young drivers, what he thinks parents should look for when buying their kid’s first car…

“When they’re starting out, young drivers and their parents often start searching for a used car, rather than a new model, because they think that’s the only affordable option.

“But this isn’t always the case. The older the car, the higher the costs of maintenance, tax and insurance. What’s more, some young driver insurance policies won’t actually cover older cars, which makes life difficult if they’ve already bought the vehicle.”

Safety concerns

Crispin continues: “Aside from these additional costs, there is also the critical issue of safety. The simple truth is that newer cars tend to be more robust, better designed and equipped with more and better safety features.

“Research shows that young drivers are most at risk of being in an accident when they are inexperienced and haven’t accrued the road hours that help them to judge and react in a safe manner.

“That’s why a new car should be the preferred option. An adult might have the experience and capability to drive an older car without undue concern, but that probably won’t be the case for his or her child.”

What to look for in a new car

Crispin offered a few pointers on how to keep a lid on costs when buying a car that still ticks the boxes safety-wise:

• Engine size The more powerful the engine, the more risk of the young driver speeding and driving dangerously. That’s why we recommend a relatively modest maximum size of 1.4 for young drivers, and we won’t insure anything larger


• Optional extras You may find a good deal for car that has alloys, tinted windows and all the trimmings, but beware as these are all features that drive up the cost of insurance for young drivers


• Age of the car Not only are older cars less robust in crashes, but the newer the car, the more safety features it is likely to have. Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) have been a standard feature of all new cars since 2004 and help the driver to keep control of the car in an emergency. Additional features such as electric windows and steering wheel audio control adapters help to reduce distractions for drivers and enable them to remain focused on the road. The latest models also benefit from automatic emergency braking


• MoT It’s also worth remembering that, if a car is new, it will not require an MoT for 3 years.


• Telematics Look for a car that will work with a telematics-based insurance policy as this may well help to keep you child safe on the roads.

How can telematics help?

One of the major improvements to the safety of young drivers in recent years has been telematics.

Installing a black box in your child’s car to monitor driving performance and characteristics has many benefits, not least that it makes them think about their driving when behind the wheel.

Some policies also operate ‘curfews’, which keep young drivers off the road at times when there is a higher frequency of accidents.

And the key point is that good, sensible and safe driving is ultimately rewarded with lower premiums, while bad, reckless and dangerous driving is deterred by the threat of higher premiums.

Data protection

Crispin added: “As well as encouraging your child to drive safely, telematics can also help if there is an accident.

“If it wasn’t your child’s fault, the data in the black box may help to prove their case. And if the car is stolen, you will be able to keep track of the vehicle so that it can be recovered.”

What you require to know just before getting a auto for your youngster

What you require to know ahead of purchasing a automobile for your child

Are you seeking to get a auto for your son or daughter?

As a parent, maintaining charges low and making certain the vehicle is secure are the 2 key issues. But there doesn’t have to be a trade-off among the 2.

I asked Crispin Moger (pictured), CEO at Marmalade, provider of automobiles and insurance coverage for young drivers, what he thinks parents should look for when buying their kid’s first car…

“When they’re starting out, young drivers and their parents usually start browsing for a utilised automobile, rather than a new model, due to the fact they consider that is the only inexpensive choice.

“But this isn’t usually the case. The older the vehicle, the higher the charges of maintenance, tax and insurance coverage. What’s far more, some young driver insurance policies won’t in fact cover older cars, which tends to make life challenging if they’ve currently bought the automobile.”

Security concerns

Crispin continues: “Aside from these further costs, there is also the essential situation of security. The basic truth is that newer cars have a tendency to be much more robust, greater created and equipped with a lot more and better security attributes.

“Research shows that young drivers are most at danger of being in an accident when they are inexperienced and haven’t accrued the road hours that support them to judge and react in a protected manner.

“That’s why a new automobile ought to be the preferred option. An adult may possibly have the encounter and capability to drive an older vehicle without undue concern, but that possibly will not be the case for his or her kid.”

What to appear for in a new vehicle

Crispin offered a couple of pointers on how to hold a lid on expenses when getting a car that nonetheless ticks the boxes safety-sensible:

• Engine size The more effective the engine, the a lot more risk of the young driver speeding and driving dangerously. That is why we advise a reasonably modest maximum size of 1.4 for young drivers, and we will not insure anything bigger


• Optional extras You may discover a excellent deal for vehicle that has alloys, tinted windows and all the trimmings, but beware as these are all characteristics that drive up the price of insurance for young drivers


• Age of the car Not only are older vehicles much less robust in crashes, but the newer the auto, the a lot more security functions it is probably to have. Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) have been a common feature of all new cars given that 2004 and help the driver to hold control of the vehicle in an emergency. Further features such as electric windows and steering wheel audio control adapters help to decrease distractions for drivers and enable them to remain focused on the road. The newest models also benefit from automatic emergency braking


• MoT It is also worth remembering that, if a vehicle is new, it will not call for an MoT for 3 years.


• Telematics Look for a vehicle that will function with a telematics-based insurance policy as this may well aid to keep you child protected on the roads.

How can telematics support?

A single of the main improvements to the safety of young drivers in current years has been telematics.

Installing a black box in your child’s vehicle to monitor driving efficiency and traits has numerous rewards, not least that it tends to make them feel about their driving when behind the wheel.

Some policies also operate ‘curfews’, which hold young drivers off the road at instances when there is a higher frequency of accidents.

And the important point is that great, sensible and secure driving is eventually rewarded with decrease premiums, although undesirable, reckless and unsafe driving is deterred by the threat of higher premiums.

Data protection

Crispin added: “As effectively as encouraging your youngster to drive safely, telematics can also assist if there is an accident.

“If it wasn’t your child’s fault, the information in the black box might aid to prove their case. And if the automobile is stolen, you will be in a position to maintain track of the car so that it can be recovered.”

What you require to know ahead of purchasing a automobile for your child

What Do Travelers Require to Know About Ebola and Insurance coverage?

You need not have a one-way ticket to Monrovia, Liberia, for the Ebola virus to disrupt your trip plans. Although domestic travel has been largely unaffected by the current outbreak, tourism operators in Africa report widespread cancellations and below-projected bookings, according to National Geographic.

And with physicians and volunteers flying in between affected nations and the United States every day, getting on any plane can be nerve-racking, specifically if you do not have travel insurance coverage.

Fortunately, your odds of contracting Ebola are quite low, even if you are traveling to Africa. And Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia – the 3 countries at the center of the outbreak – aren’t common destinations for Americans, notes Linda Kundell, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Travel Insurance Association.

But if you are traveling to West Africa, or just prefer additional protection, take into account insurance when booking vacation travel and know what it covers.

Do you have adequate medical coverage?

If you have wellness insurance coverage, your provider will most most likely cover Ebola remedy. Nevertheless, must you come down with Ebola – or another illness – even though you are in yet another country or outdoors of your health care ne2rk, you may nonetheless be liable for some expenditures.

1st, there’s the cost of your initial therapy. If the closest hospital does not accept your insurance coverage, you may possibly face a substantial out-of-pocket expense. And if the closest hospital doesn’t have the facilities to treat you, or you’d choose to be treated closer to residence, you may possibly call for healthcare evacuation, which can cost much more than $ 100,000, according to the Centers for Illness Handle and Prevention.

Travel insurance comes in handy for these sorts of circumstances. “If someone contracts Ebola throughout a trip and needs therapy or medical evacuation even though they are away, that would most likely be covered,” mentioned Kundell.

Common travel insurance plans cover between $ 100,000 and $ 1 million in healthcare evacuation – limitless plans are also accessible – and among $ 10,000 and $ 50,000 in treatment positive aspects. If you begin your course of therapy although on trip, a lot of policies will continue to cover any shortfalls in your normal insurance once you get residence, up to policy limits.

What if you can’t go?

The U.S. government has issued level 3 travel warnings – that is, it strongly advises against nonessential travel – to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. If you had planned to fly to 1 of these nations for other than humanitarian factors, no one would blame you for wanting to cancel – or at least delay – your trip.

And if you did cancel, some travel insurance would cover it, as extended as your insurer doesn’t exclude pandemics and you created the reservation prior to the alert was issued. If you made it soon after, and basically adjust your mind, you will be accountable for the consequences with your airline, including any change fees.

Other, a lot more standard, reasons for not being able to take a trip also apply. “If somebody has to cancel or interrupt a trip because they, a traveling companion or close family member becomes ill, that would usually be covered,” Kundell stated.

Travelers can purchase plans covering 25% or a lot more of their expenses if they have to cancel or interrupt their trip. These advantages apply to non-refundable purchases like unused airline tickets and hotel and tour reservations.

What if you make a decision not to go?

Most travel insurance coverage plans will not cover a alter of heart unless you purchase the appropriate policy.

“A ‘cancel for any reason’ policy would cover a person if they want to cancel their trip simply because they are afraid to travel in general. Nonetheless, when it comes to common travel insurance coverage policies, fear is not a covered cause,” Kundell said.

“Cancel for any reason” policies may well be a great investment for those most likely to get cold feet or whose insurers exclude pandemics, but they are high-priced. Kundell estimates that they price 40% to 50% above the standard travel insurance policy premium, on typical.

Travelers can also opt for refundable plane tickets, but they’ll spend the value for those as nicely.

In other words, if you select to cancel your trip to Paris – or even Ghana – because of Ebola fears, you’ll be out of luck with your travel insurer unless you are willing to part with some serious cash.

What else do travelers want to know about insurance?

Like any insurer, travel insurance firms don’t want to take on unnecessary risks. That indicates that even though canceling your trip for “the wrong reasons” could leave you unprotected, so could going ahead with it against expert suggestions.

“Some businesses may exclude coverage to areas exactly where there is a government advisory against traveling and/or exactly where there is an epidemic,” Kundell stated.

And if you are nevertheless unsure about your scenario, your greatest bet is to verify with your provider.

“The best suggestions would be for a traveler to verify with the individual travel insurance coverage company to be particular about what is and what is not covered,” Kundell said.

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Ebola illustration via Shutterstock.

What Do Travelers Require to Know About Ebola and Insurance coverage?

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Question:

My truck, abnormal vehicle, was driving on the N11 and was stopped by a traffic officer claiming visibility is poor. The driver in turn claimed he could see well ahead of him. Now how far must the driver be able to see, or is it about other vehicles seeing him from behind?

Your kind response would be appreciated.

Answer:

I assume one of the conditions of the permit was that the vehicle must pull over in poor visibility.

The only provision is reg 157 that deals with the distance a person must be able to see before he must switch his head lamps on.

Vehicles to be equipped with certain lamps and times when certain lamps to be lighted

Reg 157.     (1)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle unless—

(a)        all lamps fitted to a motor vehicle as contemplated in regulations 159 to 184 inclusive, are undamaged, properly secured, and capable of being lighted at all times; and

(b)        the head lamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps are kept lighted during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a motor vehicle parked off the roadway of a public road or in a parking place demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs or within a distance of 12 metres from a lighted street lamp illuminating the public road on which such vehicle is parked.

(2)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor cycle, a motor cycle with a side car, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, unless the headlamp of such vehicle is lighted at all times: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply to a motor cycle, motor cycle with side car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle manufactured before 31 December 1960 which is used only during the period from sunrise to sunset.

(3)        A person operating a motor vehicle on a public road shall extinguish the main‑beam of the light emitted by the head lamp of such vehicle if such main-beam could cause a dangerous glare to oncoming traffic.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Lighting, Head Lamps and Spot Lights on Vehicles and Rules of the Road

Lighting and Safe Driving

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

When Do You Require a New Driver’s License?

Nobody likes getting up early to face the in no way-ending lines at the Department of Motor Cars (or your state’s equivalent issuing workplace). But some circumstances warrant the trip, or at least a go to to the state’s Division of Transportation site. The distinct regulations about when to get a new driver’s license differ from state to state, but here’s a fundamental guide to understanding when you need to have a new license and how to get it.

You’ll need to have a new driver’s license if:

You are a teen driver who has in no way had a driver’s license. 

You will need to have a new driver’s license if you are a teen driver age 16 or older. Each state has some kind of driver’s education system, and all teens are essential to pass written and vision exams before acquiring their learner’s permits. In Alaska, Iowa and South Dakota, teens can get their permits as young as age 14, whilst teens in Connecticut, Kentucky and New York for instance, have to wait until they turn 16. Some states, like Illinois and Colorado, mandate that teens beneath 18 take a driver’s education course, even though such classes are optional in other states such as Alabama. A 2011 survey by the National Highway Visitors Safety Administration found that 29 states require teens to take driver’s education classes.

Ahead of teens acquire their licenses, they are necessary to pass a driving abilities test. Then they need to bring some mixture of the following documents to their state’s license-issuing workplace:

• Social Security card


• Identification (photo ID or passport)


• Proof of state residency (copy of lease, utility bill or mortgage)


• Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, resident card, and so forth.)

The expenses of new licenses differ broadly. Sixteen-year-olds in New York must spend up to $ 90, which includes the application, license and document fees. In Iowa, a fundamental license only expenses $ 4 a year and is valid for 2 to 8 years.

You have recently immigrated to the U.S.

If you are an immigrant in the U.S., you can use an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your non-U.S. license to drive legally when you initial arrive (You have to carry both of these documents together in order for each to be valid.). An IDP officially translates your foreign driver’s license into 10 languages and is very good for a single year. You need to get an IDP in the country that issued your non-U.S. driver’s license prior to moving to the U.S.

When you establish residency in a U.S. state, you’ll want to get an official driver’s license. Eleven states — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington) — Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia presently concern driver’s licenses to immigrants regardless of their legal status. The specifications for acquiring a license in these states and territories include passing a driving test, displaying proof of residence and carrying auto insurance.

Some states have specific agreements with certain nations that make it easier for immigrants from that country to get a U.S. license. For instance, South Koreans are exempt from taking the written and road tests in Georgia as extended as they also have an IDP.

Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act, most states now allow men and women under age 31 who have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years to obtain a legal driver’s license if they came to the U.S. ahead of they turned 16.  Arizona and Nebraska do not recognize immigrants impacted by this law and do not grant them driver’s licenses.

You are a U.S. citizen who has lately relocated to a new state.

Due to the fact U.S. driver’s licenses are issued by each and every state independently, you will need a new one if you move to a new state. Several states have a deadline to renew your vehicle registration and get a new license following you establish residency that state. It can be a few as 10 days in states such as California and as lengthy as 1 year, as is the case in Wyoming.

If you have a valid license from your prior state, you can transfer it and get your new license more easily at a license-issuing workplace near your new house. Just bring in your old license, Social Safety card, proof of residence and payment for the new card.

Your present driver’s license is lost or stolen.

If your license is missing for any cause, you will need to get a new one as quickly as attainable simply because it is illegal to drive with no 1. There are many methods to get a replacement license: All states situation them in-particular person at nearby license-issuing offices, and some states let you order by telephone, on-line or by mail. You will want to bring the right identification and payment to cover the replacement fee, which tends to be lower than initial license charge. For example, a Maine license charges $ 30 initially, but a replacement expenses only $ 5.

Some states have policies requiring drivers to report stolen licenses. The Illinois Secretary of State’s workplace recommends residents with lost or stolen licenses speak to the police. Washington drivers should file a report with the state’s License Integrity Unit, which investigates criminal activity related to licenses.

Your existing driver’s license is expired or about to expire.

Your driver’s license will expire following a pre-determined quantity of time, which can be anyplace from 2 to 8 years in most states. Arizona licenses are valid the longest: till drivers turn 65. Just before your license officially expires, you ought to obtain a renewal notice alerting you of the deadline. You can renew on the internet, by mail, by telephone or in-particular person at your local licensing office. In some states such as Ohio, you might want to take a driving test once again ahead of you can get a new valid license if your license has been expired for a specific quantity of time without renewal.

Driver’s license regulations are decided on a state-by-state basis, so be certain to check with your state’s license-issuing office for specifics. But by following these recommendations, you ought to have a good idea of how and when to get a new license so you can get in and out of the license office far more rapidly or stay away from going all collectively.

---

Driving student photo via Shutterstock.

When Do You Require a New Driver’s License?

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Question:

My truck, abnormal vehicle, was driving on the N11 and was stopped by a traffic officer claiming visibility is poor. The driver in turn claimed he could see well ahead of him. Now how far must the driver be able to see, or is it about other vehicles seeing him from behind?

Your kind response would be appreciated.

Answer:

I assume one of the conditions of the permit was that the vehicle must pull over in poor visibility.

The only provision is reg 157 that deals with the distance a person must be able to see before he must switch his head lamps on.

Vehicles to be equipped with certain lamps and times when certain lamps to be lighted

Reg 157.     (1)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle unless—

(a)        all lamps fitted to a motor vehicle as contemplated in regulations 159 to 184 inclusive, are undamaged, properly secured, and capable of being lighted at all times; and

(b)        the head lamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps are kept lighted during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a motor vehicle parked off the roadway of a public road or in a parking place demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs or within a distance of 12 metres from a lighted street lamp illuminating the public road on which such vehicle is parked.

(2)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor cycle, a motor cycle with a side car, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, unless the headlamp of such vehicle is lighted at all times: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply to a motor cycle, motor cycle with side car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle manufactured before 31 December 1960 which is used only during the period from sunrise to sunset.

(3)        A person operating a motor vehicle on a public road shall extinguish the main‑beam of the light emitted by the head lamp of such vehicle if such main-beam could cause a dangerous glare to oncoming traffic.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Lighting, Head Lamps and Spot Lights on Vehicles and Rules of the Road

Lighting and Safe Driving

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Question:

My truck, abnormal vehicle, was driving on the N11 and was stopped by a traffic officer claiming visibility is poor. The driver in turn claimed he could see well ahead of him. Now how far must the driver be able to see, or is it about other vehicles seeing him from behind?

Your kind response would be appreciated.

Answer:

I assume one of the conditions of the permit was that the vehicle must pull over in poor visibility.

The only provision is reg 157 that deals with the distance a person must be able to see before he must switch his head lamps on.

Vehicles to be equipped with certain lamps and times when certain lamps to be lighted

Reg 157.     (1)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle unless—

(a)        all lamps fitted to a motor vehicle as contemplated in regulations 159 to 184 inclusive, are undamaged, properly secured, and capable of being lighted at all times; and

(b)        the head lamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps are kept lighted during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a motor vehicle parked off the roadway of a public road or in a parking place demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs or within a distance of 12 metres from a lighted street lamp illuminating the public road on which such vehicle is parked.

(2)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor cycle, a motor cycle with a side car, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, unless the headlamp of such vehicle is lighted at all times: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply to a motor cycle, motor cycle with side car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle manufactured before 31 December 1960 which is used only during the period from sunrise to sunset.

(3)        A person operating a motor vehicle on a public road shall extinguish the main‑beam of the light emitted by the head lamp of such vehicle if such main-beam could cause a dangerous glare to oncoming traffic.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Lighting, Head Lamps and Spot Lights on Vehicles and Rules of the Road

Lighting and Safe Driving

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Who may possibly require to transfer funds?

Over the past 2 generations, many nations in the planet have turn out to be international citizens. Technological advancement, rising incomes, the reduction of trade barriers and the opening of geographic borders has revolutionized life for the citizens in several countries.

It has also necessitated the cross-border transfer of income for several individuals, with The Planet Bank estimating that in 2012, approximately $ 534 billion worldwide was remitted overseas. So who may need to transfer money?

Overseas Students

Australia delivers a diverse range of study alternatives for international students, with more than 1,200 institutions and more than 22,000 courses to pick from. According to Australian Education International there were 379,214 enrollments by full charge paying students in Australia on a student visa as at year-to-date June 2013.

Helpful sources for students: 

http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

http://australia.gov.au

Overseas workers

The number of operating holiday maker visa holders in Australia on 30 June 2013 was 160 500, and the quantity of Temporary skilled (subclass 457) visa holders was 191,220.

The 5 nations with the biggest quantity of temporary skilled visa holders in Australia on 30 June 2013 had been:

United Kingdom	45 410 visa holders
India	30 910 visa holders
Ireland	18 500 visa holders
Philippines	12 890 visa holders
United States of America	10 270 visa holders

Source: Division of Immigration and Citizenship

Useful sources for overseas workers: 

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/

http://australia.gov.au

Returning Expats

Moving overseas, temporarily or permanently, is a well-liked selection for numerous Australians. For a lot of it is short term choice although, with Australian Bureau of Statistics Social Trends finding that In 2010, 80% of these who had planned to leave Australia permanently, did not keep overseas for 12 months or far more, and instead returned to Australia.

Returning may imply leaving behind investments and savings although, necessitating a regular transfer of funds overseas.

Beneficial resources for returning expats: 

http://www.humanservices.gov.au

These with household members who are travelling

In the year ended June 2013, Australian residents took 74 million short-term overseas trips. When family members members travel even though, there is always the danger that they may well run into problems – or out of funds. A fast and effective money transfer service can become vital!

Useful resources for those with loved ones travelling: 

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au

http://www.dfat.gov.au/embassies.html

Businesses

As commerce goes worldwide, organizations may locate an escalating quantity of their transactions are being carried out overseas.

Helpful sources for firms

http://www.enterprise.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.austrade.gov.au

Back to International Money Transfers…

Who may possibly require to transfer funds?

Tax disc overhaul – all you require to know

It’s just one week until the legal obligation to display a paper tax disc on your vehicle disappears.

So what exactly is happening on October 1?

Here’s a Q&A to tell you everything you need to know…

What’s happening next Wednesday?

As of next Wednesday, October 1, you will no longer need to display a paper tax disc. But that DOESN’T mean you no longer need to tax your vehicle.

In fact, let’s be quite clear: YOU STILL NEED TO PAY THE TAX! (Or Vehicle Excise Duty, to give it its proper name.)

Presumably this is a cost-saving measure?

Yep. The whole thing is going online, so there’ll be £10 million of savings on the cost of printing and distributing 30-million plus discs every year.

From now on, the police will quiz the DVLA database about a vehicle’s tax status rather than relying on the presence of a current, valid disc.

Cameras able to read registration plates will identify untaxed vehicles.

What is the penalty for not paying the tax?

Drive without tax and you’ll cop a £80 fine and risk another financial penalty of up to £1,000 if the case proceeds to court.

Your vehicle could be clamped and then impounded, at which point the punitive fees would really begin to snowball.

As the saying goes, if you can’t afford to tax (and insure) your car, you can’t afford to drive it.

I’ve still got time to run on my vehicle tax. Do I wait till it runs out before ditching the disc?

No. If you want, you can remove the disc on October 1 (and keep it to show your grandchildren, maybe). It’s a universal change on that day.

That said, you don’t have to remove it. It’s just that you no longer have to show it.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you still need to display your MoT disc.

What about parking and driving abroad?

The DVLA has told all local authorities that no tax discs will be issued after October 1 and that no-one is obliged to display one from that point onwards, so no need to worry about triggering a parking ticket by not having a disc on show.

Likewise the Authority has told theEuropean Union that UK-registered vehicles travelling in the EU will no longer be displaying tax discs.

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So what happens when my tax runs out?

The world divides into those who know on a reflex when their road tax expires and those who have to nip outside and read their disc to find out.

For those of us in the second camp, the good news is that DVLA will still send out a V11 or V85/1 renewal reminder when a vehicle’s tax is due to expire. This applies to all types of vehicles, including those that are exempt from payment of vehicle tax or have a nil rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

If your vehicle is laid up you must still tax it or apply to DVLA for a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN).

Remember: if and when you want to take it back on the road, you need to tax it first.

Remind me how to sort the tax out…

You can apply online via www.gov.uk/vehicletax  to tax or SORN your vehicle using your 16-digit reference number from your vehicle tax renewal reminder (the V11 or V85/1 forms mentioned above) or 11 digit reference number from your log book (V5C).

Any other changes?

Yes, specifically affecting car buyers and sellers.

From October 1, when you BUY a vehicle, the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle. In other words, you will need to get fresh vehicle tax for the vehicle BEFORE you can use it.

You can do this by using the New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) part of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C), either online or by using the automated ‘any time’ phone service on 0300 123 4321.

Or you can do the job at a Post Office branch that offers the service – and this is your only option if you’re in Northern Ireland new keeper, where the online and phone options aren’t available.

If you are SELLING a vehicle after 1 October and you’ve notified DVLA, you’ll automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax. Same applies for transfers of ownership, scrapping (at an Authorised Treatment Facility), exporting, becoming exempt or being taken off-road via a SORN.

Another change worth keeping an eye open for is the ability to pay for your car tax by direct debit. This facility comes into play on November 1.

When the tax discs disappear, we’ll be using our tax disc holders for emergency biscuits, what will you be using yours for? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter using the hashtag #SOMSM

Tax disc overhaul – all you require to know

Child auto seats – all you require to know

If you are driving with young children, you need to make confident they’re protected in the automobile.

You also need to make sure you are acting inside the law – and the law is very clear about the proper use of child seats.

Fundamentally, any youngster below the age of 12 or shorter than 135cms (about 4ft 5in) need to use an acceptable ‘child restraint’ – legalese for a vehicle seat.

Legal penalties

The driver is deemed accountable for the correct use of restraints for young children under the age of 14, and there is a £30 fixed penalty if anyone is caught flouting the law.

You could also be fined up to a £500 if the case goes to court.

Weigh up

Most folks assume the sort of seat depends on the age of the kid, but in fact it depends on the child’s w7 So it is a excellent idea to weigh the youngster just before you go purchasing for a auto seat – and adjust as and when needed as the youngster grows.

Types of seats

There are a variety of tends to make and models of car seats, and the exact specifications depend on the manufacturer. But as a rough guide…

• new parents should opt for a rear-facing infant seat, which is generally suitable for infants up to 13kg


• when the infant gets a bit larger, you will probably want to upgrade to a forward or rear-facing infant seat for a youngster among 9kg and 18kg

Attempt not to move your infant into a forward-facing seat also early as you could danger greater neck and head injuries if you are involved in a crash.

• forward-facing youngster seats are developed for kids in between 15kg and 25kg


• lastly, the booster cushion is suitable for youngsters over 22kg.

Isofix or not?

Car seats are typically described as ‘universal’ but they do not necessarily fit each and every vehicle.

It’s therefore important to verify just before you buy – and verify each car you are most likely to travel in.

You also want to believe about no matter whether your car can accommodate an Isofix seat. The Isofix system enables you to firmly fit a seat to the frame of the automobile using 2 or 3 anchor points, typically as an alternative of the seat belt.

Isofix is regular in most new automobiles, but it’s worth checking to make sure.

Comfort and protection

Most retailers will offer suggestions on car seats. Specialists also suggest you take the child or youngster with you when you get. You can then really feel confident the seat affords the correct level of protection and the infant is comfy.

Safety standards

Whichever vehicle seat you choose, it must conform to the suitable United Nations security standard, ECE Regulation 44/03 or ECE 44/04, which need to be clearly marked on a label on the seat.

Don’;t forget that a car seat is normally only suitable for a diagonal strap seat belt. You cannot match a automobile seat with a lap seat belt, unless it has been particularly developed.

Incorrect fitting

The automobile seat must come with fitting directions. Numerous retailers also offer a cost-free fitting service, although the outcomes of a current Which? survey make worrying reading for anxious parents.

How to match a Child auto seat

The consumer group visited 42 stores belonging to 6 retailers and located that only 4 fitted the seats correctly.

Worse still, numerous shops fitted the seats so badly that a youngster could be in “serious danger” in a crash, according to Which?

Don’t acquire second hand

Prices certainly differ and it can perform out high-priced to purchase car seats, specifically if you have a lot more than a single child. But in no way ever get a second hand car seat. You don’t necessarily know the history of the seat and it could have been weakened or compromised in a crash.

Also, it may not comply with modern safety standards.

Exceptions to the automobile seat rule

Do not be tempted to get into a automobile with a youngster that does not have the suitable restraint. It may possibly be convenient, but it is not protected – and it is most likely against the law.

Kids aged 3 and under have to often use a auto seat, with only one exception: if they are travelling in a licensed mini cab or taxi that does not provide appropriate restraints, they can sit on the back seat.

There’s a bit a lot more flexibility for children of 3 and older. They must put on the adult seat belt in the back seat of a mini cab or taxi that does not have kid seats.

They can also travel in the back seat with an adult belt if 2 occupied kid seats prevent the fitting of a third, or if the journey is unexpected, required and quick – in other words, not the school run.

Youngster safety

In 2010, 14 young children beneath the age of 11 had been killed in cars and 206 have been seriously injured.

You do not want your kid to be a single of the statistics, so buy, fit and use a automobile seat properly at all times and make kid security your priority.

Child auto seats – all you require to know