Should all 4x4 drivers be taxed more?

Question

I understand the debate on the high pollotion levels these things give off but should everybody that drives one be punished by high tax?
I drive a 4x4 as I need to for my work. I am self employed and require the bigger vehicle to tow. But why should I be punished for trying to earn a living?
Surely there should be some sort of system of taxation based on what you use the vehicle for - for example if it's simply to take the kids to school - tax the thousands per year.

What does everybody else think? Should all 4x4 drivers be punished or those that drive them just for show?

Answer 1

i drive 45ton trucks, and the complaints about 4 wheel drives are more than what we get and what about transit vans they are all over the place, yet you know what i mean, a working four wheel drive should not fall inti this catagory.because its working, I cant help thinking there is a bit of jeolousy about these things, if i could afford one i would have one.thing is a seamstress can make a shirt in enfland and send them to portugal to have the collars sewn on, and brought back, because its cheaper rate. but what about all that diesel the trucks are burning all that way.Because cheap skates wont pay the proper rate for collars.These things are totaly fake they are just robbing folk pretending to be green.

Answer 2

4X4 drivers are already taxed at a higher rate by the extra gasoline they use. The idea of trying to zero in on one kind of car is absurd. Also just because the vehicle is 4 wheel drive does not mean it is putting out more emissions. The worst NOX emissions offenders are diesels and they pay more per gallon in taxes than anyone else.

Answer 3

There are lots of vehicles that are higher polluters than 4x4's, but it's unlikely they will be taxed higher. Like you my wife is self employed and uses her 4x4 to carry her equipment and employees around. She doesn't do a school run as we don't have kids at home, the vehicle is necessary as she cannot get her equipment into say a Ford Focus and when the weather gets a little dicey in winter, she needs to get to places that require 4x4 capabilities. I agree that those who drive their 4x4's as a status symbol should be penalised, but not those who drive these vehicles because they actually need to.

Answer 4

4x4 should be taxed if this is the Soviet Union. How could you base a tax on how you use a vehicle? Are we going to start another government agency to follow us around to verify if we only use a certain vehicle to take the kids to school?

Maybe American car manufactures need to get a clue produce more fuel efficient vehicle of all sizes and types.

Answer 5

Many people who drive Chelsea Tractors can afford whatever tax is levied.Trouble is the same tax on people who need safe traction across fields, up mountain roads, through snow and ice, towing etc would be extortionate as these people generally do not have the excess wealth that the city types do.

How do you differentiate? That is too hard a question for anyone let alone politicians.

Answer 6

If you drive your 4 x 4 solely just for your work needs as part of your self employment and you need it to tow what ever it is you are towing then no you shouldn't be penalised. If you use it as part of your work and pleasure then yes you should pay higher taxes for it. Same applies to those who solely drive a 4 x 4 for pleasure (to from work also included). These 4 x 4 choke the environment around them. This has been proven.

Answer 7

I don't think 4x4 drivers should be taxed more.We have a Landrover, two dogs, two kids and my partner shoots, so its an ideal vehicle for us.What should we do instead, have two smaller cars like our neighbours? That just wouldn't make sense at all. I think people have the wrong impression sometimes, that people who own 4x4's are posers and just do it for a certain look, which some do, but most don't! Its just another money making scheme from the government.People who own more than one car unnecessarily should be taxed more, not us! And yes, we do pay more road tax, so shouldnt that be enough?And a Landrover doesnt take up as much room as a family using two or three cars!

Answer 8

4X4s take up more room, use more fuel and cause more pollution than other vehicles. They already pay more road tax and more fuel duty.

Using tax as a punishment is not a fair way to organise society. I'd suggest anyone who wants / needs to drive a 4X4 should first buy an acre of land and plant and maintain a forest on it.

Answer 9

i sort of agree with you and it must really do your head in if these charges come into action. but where i live the people who drive them are middle aged short women who drive there kids 3 miles up the road to school its mad !!! i had a Audi tt and to tax that was very expensive so just sold it due to the increase costs etc... but hey we all have to help in some way. most people think if you own these kind of cars you can afford to pay the extra.

Answer 10

if you tax all four by fours then why would anyone buy a new hybrid suv ,some of the new small 4 by 4's get good fuel milage as well,what about taxing the huge non 4 by 4 vehicles,also why can you get a tax break for buying a hummer etc as reported by cnn