Federation of British Historic Vehicles Clubs
- FBHVC Ltd, Stonewold, Berrick Salome, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 6JR.
Welcome
The FBHVC is a grouping of almost 500 Clubs and Museums together with some 1500 Trade and Individual Supporters. The aim of the Federation is to uphold the freedom to use old vehicles on the roads without any undue restriction and to support its member organisations in whatever way it can.
Objectives
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs exists to uphold the freedom to use historic vehicles on the road.
The one thing that is more important to historic vehicle owners than anything else is the one thing that most take completely for granted, and that is the right to use them.
At present, provided a vehicle is road-legal, it may be used whenever the owner chooses, however old it is. FBHVC’s purpose is to keep it that way.
Some might ask why this right to use the road should need protection, but one doesn’t have to look far for an answer.
Society is becoming ever more regulated. Activity that is perceived as anti-social is banned, or controlled. Global warming and health considerations have heightened concerns about atmospheric pollution. Traffic congestion is costing industry substantial sums.
There is already a Low Emission Zone in London – it’s not a ban, but it does make the use of non-compliant vehicles in the zone very expensive and government has been considering extending the LEZ principle to other areas. It does not take much imagination to see proposals being put forward to ban the use of vehicles over a certain age on weekdays in an effort to reduce the atmospheric pollution that occurs at the roadside when roads are congested.
FBHVC’s task is to watch out for any such restrictive proposals and to act in the best interests of its members to oppose, or at least mitigate, any measure that would erode existing freedoms.
FBHVC does this by:
Monitoring To keep abreast of legislative developments, responding to consultations as necessary.
Research To provide the information necessary to respond quickly and effectively to those developments.
Lobbying To ensure MPs, MEPs, civil servants and government agencies are aware of the interests and needs of those who keep older vehicles.
Liaison To share concerns and information with other similar bodies both in UK and Europe to maximise political influence.
Publicity To support FBHVCs lobbying activity through the media and to keep subscribers informed of measures that might affect vehicle owners.
This work is undertaken by a team of volunteers whose experience spans the whole range of the historic vehicle movement and includes experts on legislation, fuels, events, and heritage. The team is supported by a professional secretary who looks after the routine background administrative work.
FBHVC is a member of the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) an international organisation representing over 1 million individuals worldwide. FIVA funds a professional lobbyist in Brussels to monitor legislation which may affect the historic vehicle movement in the EU.
FBHVC operates on a modest budget of £100,000 a year, most of which is derived from subscription income.