The latest rates, which organisations use to reimburse drivers for fuel used on business journeys, took effect on March 1st  in the future the announcements for AFR rates will be available on the gov.uk website rather than the HMRC website.

This is the new link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-fuel-rates/current-rates

The rates can also be downloaded from our website

Latest Fuel Advisory Rates

The rules changed for users of vehicles under 3.5 tonne working for hire or reward that are towing small trailers. 

The ruling came into force back in December 2011, if your using a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) and are towing a small trailer with an unladen weight of less than 1,020kg the following will apply in respect of the requirement to obtain a Standard Operators Licence:

• You will be exempt from operator licensing unless you are operating for hire or reward. This is referred to as operating on your own account.

• You will require a Standard Goods Vehicle Operators Licence where you are carrying other people's good for hire or reward (e.g. working as a courier, removal firm or other freight transport business) when the vehicle and trailer combination exceeds 3500kg (3.5 tonnes) Maximum Authorised Mass. The reason is that from the 4th December 2011 the weight calculation must include any trailer attached (irrespective of the trailers weight). 

For those operating such vehicles towing heavier trailers (than 1020kg unladen weight) or goods vehicles with Maximum Authorised Mass greater than 3500kg the scope of requirements for needing a operators licence remain.

 Note: This does not apply to to dual purpose vehicles when towing trailers:

The dual purpose category generally includes cars, estates, pick-ups (with second row of seats (crew cab) only), and domestic 4x4 vehicles such as Land Rovers, Jeeps and other similar vehicles below 2040kg unladen weight.

What is not Hire or reward

You are NOT usually operating for Hire or Reward when you carry goods you own or goods you have used or will use in the course of your business.

Operating for Hire or Reward

If you you are operating for hire or reward, you will need to apply for a goods vehicle operator's licence. the forms required can be obtained from:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/forms/lorryoperatorlicensingforms/lorryoperatorlicensingforms.htm

There are some exceptions to the ruling, a guide explaining the requirements of operator licensing and how to apply for a goods vehicle operators licence (document GV74) is available in PDF format at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/publications/manualsandguides/operatorlicensingguides.htm

If you are making comparisons between models from different manufacturers and sensibly analysing whole life costs.  Seek independent advice from someone who is unbiased; If you are being advised by a manufacturer or dealer then the balance will probably swing in their favour.

It could be the case the vehicle you have selected is the most cost effective over the lease period, “make sure the correct fleet discounts are being applied across each model you have selected”.  If you’re receiving a 25% fleet discount on Vauxhall or 30% on Ford then this needs to be considered in the "whole-life-cost" calculations.

Some manufactures are using this to their advantage, especially if their fleet discounts are lower; overall their product seems to be great value until the correct discounts are applied on the other models being selected.

Other considerations also need to be taken into account when analysing whole life costs to make an informed decision.