![\"Vehicle](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/vehicle-tax-reminder-letter-and-a-car-dealership.jpg\")
Experts have warned that drivers may face increased vehicle tax bills <\/p>\n
GETTY<\/p>\n
The regulations apply only to new vehicles, with used cars remaining unaffected by the type approval requirements.<\/p>\n
Major dealerships, including Charles Hurst, Agnews and the Donnelly Group, have warned of potential job losses across Northern Ireland’s automotive sector.<\/p>\n
This could have devastating consequences given that the sector currently employs approximately 17,500 workers, the BBC reported.<\/p>\n
The companies presented their concerns to Stormont, outlining the significant disruption facing the industry when the new regulations take effect.<\/p>\n
![\"Renewing](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/renewing-car-tax.jpg\")
Dealers claimed that motorists in Northern Ireland may face higher costs than a driver in Birmingham <\/p>\n
DVLA<\/p>\n
Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, confirmed that dealers had warned of “very, very significant” consequences for local businesses and employment during the session.<\/p>\n
She stated that the NFDA would continue lobbying the Government on behalf of Northern Ireland dealers’ concerns about being “caught between two governing bodies”.<\/p>\n
Dave Sheeran from the Donnelly Group described the situation as “an unintended pain of Brexit,” warning that consumers would face differential taxation across the UK.<\/p>\n
“Somebody buying a car in Belfast will face a higher tax than someone buying the same new car in Birmingham,” he told the committee.<\/p>\n
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n The disparity is particularly pronounced for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which will be subject to different carbon dioxide emissions regulations in Northern Ireland compared to Great Britain.<\/p>\n Sheeran explained that “not everything being offered in GB will be able to be sold in Northern Ireland because of a divergence in regulations with the EU”.<\/p>\n Jeff McCartney from Charles Hurst highlighted the paradoxical nature of the new arrangements during the committee meeting.<\/p>\n He told MLAs: “The irony is customers will be able to go to GB and buy a new car but dealers in Northern Ireland will no longer be able to source the vehicles for them.”<\/p>\n The Government is being urged to act before the January 2026 deadline <\/p>\n GETTY<\/p>\n McCartney urged committee members to support calls for the UK Government to permit Northern Ireland dealers to continue selling GB type-approved new vehicles beyond the January 2026 deadline.<\/p>\n The NFDA confirmed that dealers had stressed the urgent need to restore access to the GB market, as they “currently cannot access any GB stock”.<\/p>\n![\"Car](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/car-dealership.jpg\")