Helpdesk

THIS WEEK: CHANGING THE NUMBERPLATES From PO’N: I hear from my dealer that the motor trade is considering a change in the number plate system. It sounds like a smart move to get rid of the social snobbery that drives the current system. When is it due to come into effect?

It’s not up to the motor trade but the Government to change the number plates and while some car dealers and distributors are eager to make the change – and spread new car sales out more evenly through the year – their enthusiasm is not shared by those who would be tasked with implementing the changes.

First off, in terms of the “snobbery factor”, I don’t believe that there is universal support for removing the current predominance of the year of registration. The simple fact is that the snob factor invariably helps sell cars. When the well-heeled get into a consumer battle with neighbours, it’s the retail sector that reaps the rewards – from those selling fancy cat flaps to new cars.

Secondly there is strong resistance to change within the authorities. By all accounts, the Garda like the simplicity of the current system, while civil servants who control the current registration system are loathe to unravel the current IT systems and replace them with a new one in order to make the life of car dealers that bit easier.

The motor trade has also suggested that buyers should be able to re-register a used car to their home county rather than the initial county of registration. The fee for this would generate some extra revenue they say.

What’s not clear from any of the motor trade proposals is how much implementing a new system – both in terms of administration and updating the myriad IT systems – might cost. And it’s certainly not clear why the taxpayer should foot the bill. If the motor trade is really eager to change the system in order to improve its business cycle then it should offer to pick up any costs involved in the changeover and administration of the new registration system.

Got a query? Send it to motorshelp@irishtimes.com