More states considering pay-by-the-mile Car Taxes

Feuer Frei! · 08-17-11, 05:56 AM

The age of free driving could be coming to an end. With the advent of GPS navigation that electronically tracks how far you drive, more states are looking at charging drivers by the mile.
Oregon, for instance, is among several states that are taking a hard look at the idea, reports Paul Eisenstein of the Detroit Bureau. As proposed in the Oregon legislature, drivers could be charged 0.85 cents per mile through 2015, with the figure jumping to 1.85 cents per mile by 2018. The bill, for the moment, appears stalled. Texas and Minnesota are reportedly also taking a look.

SOURCE

mookiemookie · 08-17-11, 06:49 AM

The same technology that tracks how far you drive can easily be used to track where you drive. They don't need to know that.

August · 08-17-11, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

The same technology that tracks how far you drive can easily be used to track where you drive. They don't need to know that.

I don't think they need to bother with that as mileage is recorded on the annual vehicle inspection.

Growler · 08-17-11, 08:41 AM

August, some states don't perform annual inspections, but that doesn't really matter, either.

In Maryland, all drivers on vehicles not otherwise waived (historic, or above a certain age, mostly) participate in the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) every other year, meaning two years between tests. Mileage is recorded at that time. For taxation purposes, it would not be a great stretch to take the last two VEIP mileage readings, average them, and bill half annually as tax.

If they're going to tax driving miles, those funds should be solely for maintenance of road infrastructure, though; city/state-based mass transit could perhaps benefit as well, both with increased ridership (people don't want another tax burden) and some financial benefit from the tax itself. What I wouldn't want to see is that mileage tax going into, say, a new stadium project. But when have we ever enjoyed having a direct say in the employment of our taxes?

August · 08-17-11, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Growler

August, some states don't perform annual inspections, but that doesn't really matter, either.

In Maryland, all drivers on vehicles not otherwise waived (historic, or above a certain age, mostly) participate in the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) every other year, meaning two years between tests. Mileage is recorded at that time. For taxation purposes, it would not be a great stretch to take the last two VEIP mileage readings, average them, and bill half annually as tax.

That's what I figured. It'd be a far less irritating way of bringing this about than forcing people to purchase special tracking equipment for their vehicles.

Rockstar · 08-17-11, 09:14 AM

Doens't bother me at all, I walk or bicycle most everywhere. I haven't owned a car in 5 years.

AVGWarhawk · 08-17-11, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

I don't think they need to bother with that as mileage is recorded on the annual vehicle inspection.

Not all state require annual inspection.

This is a crap tax and cash grab. The car is taxed for sale, gas, registration. When is enough enough? People already stay home when gas is high. Now they will stay home permanently with this tax. Therefore, the idiots with this idea will lose on the gas tax for lack of purchase and mile tax for lack of driving.

The government is simply stupid. I chalk this up as being stupid as the Window Tax.

AVGWarhawk · 08-17-11, 08:47 AM

Quote:

If they're going to tax driving miles, those funds should be solely for maintenance of road infrastructure, though; city/state-based mass transit could perhaps benefit as well, both with increased ridership (people don't want another tax burden) and some financial benefit from the tax itself. What I wouldn't want to see is that mileage tax going into, say, a new stadium project. But when have we ever enjoyed having a direct say in the employment of our taxes?

That's rich! O'Malley will raid it like a beer store on Superbowl day! You know as will as I the money would be funneled to some crap in the State of Confusion (Maryland).

So, $1.85/mile at my 100 miles/week at 52 weeks per year is $9250.00 in mile tax. Why not just put a gun to my head and pull my wallet out? No, wait, they already do that!

Growler · 08-17-11, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

That's rich! O'Malley will raid it like a beer store on Superbowl day! You know as will as I the money would be funneled to some crap in the State of Confusion (Maryland).

So, $1.85/mile at my 100 miles/week at 52 weeks per year is $9250.00 in mile tax. Why not just put a gun to my head and pull my wallet out? No, wait, they already do that!

LOL in re: part 1.

I read it as 1 point 85 cents (less than two cents), not one dollar eighty five cents, but either way, I get you.

TLAM Strike · 08-17-11, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

I don't think they need to bother with that as mileage is recorded on the annual vehicle inspection.

In that case just make sure every day you drive to work you drive home backwards.

Problem Legislators?

Buddahaid · 08-17-11, 10:04 AM

Road wear is mainly the result of trucking, not autos. This is really stupid and won't work anyway.

AVGWarhawk · 08-17-11, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Road wear is mainly the result of trucking, not autos. This is really stupid and won't work anyway.

Agreed, it is stupid. Trucks pay a heavy road use tax already because of road wear created by the truck.

nikimcbee · 08-22-11, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Road wear is mainly the result of trucking, not autos. This is really stupid and won't work anyway.

That has never stopped the state of ore-gone.

Hopefully this will get shot down. They need to link it to a sale tax, then it will go down in flames. (there's no sales tax here)

Sailor Steve · 08-17-11, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

In that case just make sure every day you drive to work you drive home backwards.

Problem Legislators?

Unfortunately odometers don't run backwards. This started in the '60s when it was found that unscrupulous used car dealers would jack up the cars and run them in reverse to make it look like they had less miles on them. For this same reason odometers are tamper-resistant.

TLAM Strike · 08-17-11, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Unfortunately odometers don't run backwards. This started in the '60s when it was found that unscrupulous used car dealers would jack up the cars and run them in reverse to make it look like they had less miles on them. For this same reason odometers are tamper-resistant.

Yea I knew that, I just wanted to post a little Troll Science.

08-17-11, 05:56 AM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	More states considering pay-by-the-mile Car Taxes The age of free driving could be coming to an end. With the advent of GPS navigation that electronically tracks how far you drive, more states are looking at charging drivers by the mile. Oregon, for instance, is among several states that are taking a hard look at the idea, reports Paul Eisenstein of the Detroit Bureau. As proposed in the Oregon legislature, drivers could be charged 0.85 cents per mile through 2015, with the figure jumping to 1.85 cents per mile by 2018. The bill, for the moment, appears stalled. Texas and Minnesota are reportedly also taking a look. SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

08-17-11, 06:49 AM	#2
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	The same technology that tracks how far you drive can easily be used to track where you drive. They don't need to know that. __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

08-17-11, 08:41 AM	#4
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	August, some states don't perform annual inspections, but that doesn't really matter, either. In Maryland, all drivers on vehicles not otherwise waived (historic, or above a certain age, mostly) participate in the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) every other year, meaning two years between tests. Mileage is recorded at that time. For taxation purposes, it would not be a great stretch to take the last two VEIP mileage readings, average them, and bill half annually as tax. If they're going to tax driving miles, those funds should be solely for maintenance of road infrastructure, though; city/state-based mass transit could perhaps benefit as well, both with increased ridership (people don't want another tax burden) and some financial benefit from the tax itself. What I wouldn't want to see is that mileage tax going into, say, a new stadium project. But when have we ever enjoyed having a direct say in the employment of our taxes? __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

08-17-11, 10:04 AM	#11
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,331 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	Road wear is mainly the result of trucking, not autos. This is really stupid and won't work anyway. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

08-17-11, 09:14 AM	#6
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Doens't bother me at all, I walk or bicycle most everywhere. I haven't owned a car in 5 years.