I propose to the Government to introduce the legal possibility for an owner to register up to two passenger cars with one registration (i.e. one set of two number plates, one annual road user charge and one insurance - both at the rate applicable to the more powerful or more expensive of the two vehicles).
As there are only two number plates, this means that the owner can only use one car at a time. This would in no sense unnecessarily increase road congestion, pollution and the risk of higher claims to insurance companies.
Nor will the State budget be harmed, as some of the shortfall in the annual levy will be more than compensated by more tax collected from the sale of new or second-hand passenger cars.
DARS will only gain from the measure as it will sell more vignettes (as they are not transferable).
This system is known in Switzerland, where it works perfectly.
The proposal makes particular sense in the light of the economic damage suffered by car manufacturers and dealers as a result of COVID-19. It should be recalled that Renault, as the only car manufacturer in this country, has suffered a drop in sales of more than 40% this year.
I am sure that there are many car owners in this country who would welcome and take advantage of such an opportunity.