Relicensing a car online (tax disc)

[Milky_Mocha]

Has anyone tried the online relicensing yet? My tax disc expired on 31 Jan (about 45 mins ago) and I need to drive into work in the morning. However the website states that my disc will arrive in 5 days' time. Does that mean that until I receive the disc I'd be breaking the law if the car is on the road even though I've paid? The alternative is to wait till I get to work, go into the Post Office and get my disc there and then but that would mean my drive into work would be illegal.

[CFC]

I've used the online facility and the disc did indeed arrive - in around 3 days. Must have been lucky.

You'll be fine driving into work and getting your disc. You can only buy a disc for the current month up till 15th I think it is, so no cops would do you for it as you can buy one retrospectively - there's usually a (completely unofficial) 14 days grace before you'd get done.

[roswell]

I did mine online and it arrived with in 3 days

[Quinny]

I did mine on Sunday night,and the disc arrived yesterday.

Ken.

[moonrakerz]

Done it twice - very good.

[Idiophreak]

I thought there was something that said you're allowed to drive on the road untaxed if you're on the way to buy tax?

Or is that one of the trick questions in the theory test. hmm.

[Astaroth]

The offence is for not displaying a valid tax disc rather than for not having bought one. I am sure arguably therefore the vehicle should not be on a public road until it has the new tax disc in it. At the same time however, now that the checking of tax discs is all done via computers, the system will show you have a disc and the police are much less likely to check these days.

I was exceptionally impressed with the service. Bought it on Sunday night and it arrived in the Tuesday post.

[derrick]

Bought mine online last Wednesday, money out of account Friday, still no disc today Thursday,1st! phoned them, they said they have sent it to my address, will send another one!!

Won't buy online again.

[ktb]

there was a problem when I bought mine online that caused a dely of over a week - I spoke to the DVLA and they said that they allow a 14 day grace period between tax discs. Just display your expired disc till you get the new one and if you are worried print off some proof that you have purchased the new one. (Tho obviosuly the DVLA would have a record of this if anyone needed to check)

[quidsin]

Got my last one online and it arrived in 3 days!!! I found it a lot easier and more convenient than the post office as you don't have to dig out your insurance certificate and stand in queues for ages

[derrick]

there was a problem when I bought mine online that caused a dely of over a week - I spoke to the DVLA and they said that they allow a 14 day grace period between tax discs. Just display your expired disc till you get the new one and if you are worried print off some proof that you have purchased the new one. (Tho obviosuly the DVLA would have a record of this if anyone needed to check)

Don't know who you spoke to at DVLA, but there is no grace period, the offence would be, "failure to display a valid licence" (and if it hasn't been delivered,then you can't display it, but the offence is still committed), it would depend on the attitude of the cop who might pull you up, as was told to me,today, by DVLA.

[Milky_Mocha]

I ordered minutes before typing the original post (1st Feb) and it arrived yesterday, 2nd Feb! I'm shocked. That's the speediest I could have got it. I find this soooo much easier than digging out my MOT and insurance certificates, standing in the queue, holding my breath at the counter hoping they don't realise that the insurance has almost run out (does that matter?) etc.

[derrick]

From this thread (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=363234)


Reply #9
Quote:
Originally Posted by lisyloo
I applied (on line) on 27th which was Saturday.
The money was taken out of the bank on Monday (29th).

I did the same,but on Wednesday 24th, money taken Friday 26th, post been today,(30th), no disc.
If the disc does not arrive, I will contionue to drive the car because I have paid the fee, if they offer an online service and cannot deliver that is their fault not mine, although if it is not here by Friday, I will phone them on 01792 782341, (not their ripoff 0870 number), this number does work.

From the same thread

Reply#25
Quote:
Originally Posted by derrick
I did the same,but on Wednesday 24th, money taken Friday 26th, post been today,(30th), no disc.

If the disc does not arrive, I will contionue to drive the car because I have paid the fee, if they offer an online service and cannot deliver that is their fault not mine, although if it is not here by Friday, I will phone them on 01792 782341, (not their ripoff 0870 number), this number does work.


I phoned DVLA on Thursday afternoon,(using the above number), to tell them I still did not have my disc, they said it had been sent to my address, but they would send out a duplicate by first class, and if the original turns up, to return it.
The duplicate arrived this morning, but heaven knows where the original one is, if it does turn up I will just destroy it, why should I waste postage returning it?

I will use the Post Office next time!

[Need_More_Money]

Bought mine online last Wednesday, money out of account Friday, still no disc today Thursday,1st! phoned them, they said they have sent it to my address, will send another one!!

Won't buy online again.

That's a bit harsh. The vast majority of people seems to have had a very good experience with the online service, including me. I ordered online and received the disc the very next day, which is even more amazing when you remember this is a government run computing system ;)

Things go wrong with all systems at some point no matter how good they are. Just because you had a bad experience, doesn't mean the system is bad - especially judging by the comments of others. Remember that people are much more likely to post bad experiences than good ones, and yet most people seem to have been happy with the service.

[amcluesent]

>the offence is failure to display, not failure to have.<

In days gone by, coppers will have been sensible. Now they must meet targets, so booking you is an easy £30 into the Chief Constables sky-rocket:mad:

[tanith]

I was very impressed with the whole thing , so much easier than the old way... mine arrived in 3 days also... no problem........