Press Releases

2012

UK hauliers need lorry charge assurances - 27 January 2012
The BVRLA has welcomed plans to make foreign hauliers pay for their use of UK roads.

2012 - A Fleet Optimist's Guide - 6 January 2012
Despite most economists producing a dire prognosis for the year ahead, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has engaged in some positive thinking by producing a ‘Fleet Optimists’ guide to 2012.

2011

Red Tape Challenge off to a great start - 15 December 2011
The BVRLA has welcomed the first results of the Government’s Red Tape Challenge, which could have major benefits for the vehicle leasing and rental sector.

DVLA changes could save millions - 13 December 2011
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has welcomed government proposals to centralise Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) activities and move more of its services online.

Beware bogus car hire deals - 13 December 2011
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the trade body for the UK car rental industry, is again warning customers to take extra care when confronted with cheap deals for Christmas car hire on the Internet or in the press.

Rental sector ready for London LEZ - 5 December 2011
The commercial vehicle rental industry is expecting an upsurge in business following the introduction of new London Low Emission Zone standards from next year.

BVRLA car rental report - 1 December 2011
UK rental cars emit less CO2 and local air pollutants, are safer and are used more efficiently than the average privately-owned car.

New safety recall system for 2012 - 21 September 2011
The BVRLA is partnering with technology company Ebbon-Dacs to provide the fleet industry with a free online vehicle safety recall notification system in 2012.

Electric vehicles are too expensive - 6 September 2011
Electric vehicle manufacturers need to reduce their prices if they want to energise the market, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has warned.

Excess waiver insurance - The truth - 13 July 2011
Car rental customers should be aware that the excess-waiver insurance offered by third-party providers is very different from the no-risk cover offered by their car hire company.

Equality and price rises for all - 6 June 2011
Banning any form of age discrimination in the vehicle rental industry could cost the sector more than £34m per year and add up to 30% to the price of hiring a car or van.

BVRLA responds to Red Tape Challenge - 24 May 2011
Road transport red tape is under the spotlight and the BVRLA is urging the entire fleet industry to suggest regulations that should be removed or amended.

Cunningham is new BVRLA Chairman - 20 May 2011
Hertz man takes the helm as LeasePlan's Kevin McNally completes his two-year term in office.

A fresh approach to funding - 11 May 2011
The BVRLA has set up a new steering group to improve the availability of competitively-priced funding for the vehicle rental and leasing industry.

Dealing with continuous insurance - 19 April 2011
The organisations behind the new continuous insurance enforcement (CIE) regulations have pledged to help BVRLA members ease the burden of compliance.

BVRLA warns of EV knowledge gap - 11 April 2011
The vehicle rental and leasing industry is calling for manufacturers to provide fleets with more detailed operational guidelines for electric cars and vans.

BVRLA meets the Minister - 31 March 2011
The BVRLA shared a frank and productive exchange of views during a meeting with Transport Minister Mike Penning this week.

Accreditation for broker sales force - 25 March 2011
Latest measure to raise professionalism in the leasing broker sector.

BVRLA Budget reaction 2011 - 23 March 2011
The Chancellor delivers a Budget with some welcome surprises for motorists.

BVRLA Budget submission 2011 - 2 February 2011
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association is urging the government to deliver on its promises of fairer taxes and less red tape.

BVRLA supports Fair Fuel UK campaign - 25 January 2011
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has added its voice to the campaign for fairer fuel prices.

New committee chairmen appointed - 18 January 2011
Elliot Lennick, chief executive of MAN Financial Services is the new chairman of the BVRLA Commercial Vehicle Committee. The new chairman of the BVRLA Rental Committee is Alison Chadwick, director of regional operations for Thrifty Car and Van Rental.

Beware 'unbeatable' car rental offers - 7 January 2011
The BVRLA is advising customers to take extra care when looking for cheap deals on the internet and in the press.

Vehicle finance to attract new funders in 2011 - 4 January 2011
More banks will return to the vehicle rental and leasing market this year, bringing extra funding to help the industry meet growing demand for rental and contract hire.

2010

Lease accounting plans need a rethink - 15 December, 2010
Accounting-standard setters need to simplify their proposals for leasing to achieve their goal of bringing more transparency to company accounts, claims the BVRLA.

New guidance for car rental customers - 6 October, 2010
Rental companies are being urged to issue customers with a new, easy-to-read ‘key facts’ document that explains the terms and conditions associated with renting a car.

Business as usual despite new lease accounting rules - 17 August, 2010
Leasing and rental will remain popular forms of vehicle finance, despite new lease accounting proposals announced by the International Accounting Standards Board today.

BVRLA calls for fairer VAT recovery - 23 July, 2010
Leased fleets are overpaying millions in VAT.

Emergency Budget reaction - 22 June, 2010
The BVRLA responds to the Government's austerity measures.

Emergency Budget submission - 16 June, 2010
Ditching the tax disc could save DVLA £90m each year.

BVRLA appoints new vice chairmen - 4 June, 2010
Hertz's Neil Cunningham takes position.

BVRLA wins block exemption battle - 27 May, 2010
Three-year campaign secures end-user status for leasing companies.

New accreditation for technical fleet advisers - 18 May, 2010
Following a successful pilot programme earlier this year, the BVRLA and the Institute of the Motor Industry have launched a new Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) for the rental and leasing sector.

Conservatives and company car tax - 23 April, 2010
The BVRLA responds to speculation about the Tories' plans to 'ditch' the current company car tax system.

BVRLA 2010 Budget response - 24 March, 2010
The BVRLA comments on Chancellor Alistair Darling's 2010 Budget.

The BVRLA makes its Budget bid - 2 March, 2010
The association calls for a fairer tax regime and a rethink on approved mileage allowance payments (AMAP).

Ultra-low carbon car incentive - 25 February, 2010
The BVRLA responds to the Department for Transport's £260m scheme.

Book ahead to reduce car rental stress - 22 February, 2010
Customers requiring a rental car during the busy Easter and Summer Holiday periods need to book in advance to avoid disappointment, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has warned.

Business fleets continue to cut carbon - 29 January, 2010
Britain’s business car fleets made impressive progress in reducing their carbon emissions last year, according to the latest figures from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.

Carmakers launch fleet offensive - 7 January, 2010
With retail sales set to fall following the end of the car scrappage incentive scheme, manufacturers begin to focus on the vital business market.

2009

Revised code of conduct for BVRLA leasing brokers - 17 December, 2009
The BVRLA Leasing Broker Committee has strengthened its Code of Conduct as part of ongoing moves to improve standards of professionalism and customer service in the sector.

Pre-Budget Response - 9 December, 2009
Alistair Darling’s Pre-Budget Report gives tax boost for electric car and van users, but no help to embattled hauliers.

Driving at work is no 'grey area' - 27 November, 2009
Employers should prevent staff from using their own vehicles for business unless they can give proof that their car is roadworthy and insured.

National standard for technical advisors - 11 November, 2009
Vehicle rental and leasing staff with a technical advisory focus can now assess their skills against a national benchmark and boost their careers following the introduction of a new qualification.

Leasing companies commit to broker market - 28 October, 2009
Leading contract hire and leasing firms have pledged their commitment to the leasing broker sector but warned that they are only looking for long-term relationships that produce high-quality business.

When equality comes at too high a price - 5 October, 2009
The BVRLA is calling for the sector to be given an exemption from elements of its proposed Equality Bill, which will ban businesses from treating customers differently according to their age.

BVRLA Guide to Car Rental - 22 July, 2009
The association has launched its updated guide to help users enjoy a successful car rental experience, whether they are driving for business or leisure.

Reducing work-related road accidents - 14 July, 2009
The BVRLA has urged the Department for Transport to be more ambitious in its attempts to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads.

2008 Theft and Fraud Survey - 29 June, 2009
Hard-up criminals set their sights on rental fleets.

Driving at Work - 3 June, 2009
The BVRLA has launched its revised Guide to Driving at Work - an invaluable tool for fleet managers.

New BVRLA chairman - 18 May, 2009
Kevin McNally has taken over as new chairman of the BVRLA, replacing Nigel Stead who has completed his two-year term.

DVLA needs better funding - 14 May, 2009
The cash-strapped DVLA needs a more reliable source of funding so that it can provide businesses with the modern, electronic services it has promised.

Budget bashing for fleet operators - 23 April, 2009
Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Credit Crunch Budget points to recovery but won’t help us get there.

Used vehicles hold the key to automotive sector revival - 30 March, 2009
Any scrappage scheme must encourage owners to trade up to a newer, cleaner car or van they can afford.

BVRLA to fight on for VOSA victims - 26 March, 2009
Enforcement agency ignores the worst recession in 50 years to hit the road transport industry with an inflation-busting test fee increase.

New BVRLA website - 5 March, 2009
Revamped site raises the profile of the association and the vehicle rental and leasing industry.

Fleets drive down emissions - 9 February, 2009
Surge in demand for cleaner contract hire vehicles during 2008.

BVRLA writes to Lord Mandelson - 3 February, 2009
Business Secretary must ensure that ALL providers of motor finance have greater access to funding.

BVRLA rejects VOSA's test fee proposals - 3 February, 2009
Enforcement agency hits road transport industry with £9 million bill to cover its own failings.

Rent with a BVRLA member for peace of mind - 9 January, 2009
The BVRLA has improved the annual examination of its commercial vehicle members, including a more rigorous inspection of centrally-held maintenance records.

BVRLA appoints first chief executive - 5 January, 2009
Eight years after joining the association as its sixth director general, John Lewis has been made chief executive.

2008

BVRLA publishes van CO2 guide - 1 December, 2008
The BVRLA has launched a new CO2 tool on its website, enabling operators to compare the emissions of different vans.

Pre-Budget Report is a case of give-and-take - 25 November, 2008
The Chancellor provides some good news for vehicle owners, but adds a cynical increase in the cost of business motoring.

New chairman for BVRLA Rental Committee - 23 October, 2008
David Alexander has taken on the role of Chairman of the BVRLA’s Rental Committee.

A fair and transparent approach to car taxes - 17 October, 2008
Tax cuts may be off the agenda, but fleet owners and operators need clarity ahead of April’s major Corporation Tax changes.

Clock is ticking on major car tax reform - 30 September, 2008
With a major transformation in business car tax just six months away, the BVRLA is urging businesses to review their car policy in order to benefit from the changes.

Road transport sector gears up for Whole Vehicle Type Approval - 6 August, 2008
Commercial vehicle suppliers face a major challenge with the introduction of EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) legislation next Spring.

London Low Emission Zone extension – Don’t risk it, rent it! - 4 July, 2008
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is advising operators making occasional visits to London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to consider renting appropriate vehicles rather than being charged or fined for using older, non-conforming trucks.

BVRLA launches Professional Fleet Consultant Development Programme - 26 June, 2008
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has launched a new vocational training course for leasing and fleet management providers.

Minibus and Goods Vehicle Rental – Drivers’ Hours - 19 June, 2008
Rental company drivers delivering, collecting or moving empty minibuses and commercial vehicles will no longer be required to record their driving hours on a tachograph.

BVRLA supports EU call for lighter regulation - 4 June, 2008
The BVRLA welcomes the European Commission’s recent evaluation report on the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation, particularly its suggestion that a light-touch approach to fostering competition is the way forward.

Van makers agree to publish CO2 data - 29 May, 2008
Van manufacturers have promised to release CO2 emission figures for their vehicles, giving UK businesses the vital information they need to procure and use the most appropriate environmentally friendly transport.