Tax Disc Question

adouglasmhor

I posted this in another thread just a question raised by another topic.

adouglasmhor wrote: »

What happens if you have a cover over your car? I use a half cover in the winter as I live in an exposed area and don't apreciate scraping ice or brushing off snow, am I failing to display?

Nilrem

I believe that technically yes it's failure to display, as you've not got the disc visible, as it's under the cover.

I would imagine you'd have to get a really strict/uppity/petty warden/officer to do you for it though.

adouglasmhor

Nilrem wrote: »

I believe that technically yes it's failure to display, as you've not got the disc visible, as it's under the cover.

I would imagine you'd have to get a really strict/uppity/petty warden/officer to do you for it though.

I think they don't come up our bit in the winter, it's too exposed and cold :rotfl:

KeithP

And even without a cover, I imagine a really strict/uppity/petty warden/officer could be upset if you didn't clean a covering of snow or frost off in a timely manner.

:rolleyes:

Premier_2

Q728: Is it legal to cover my car or motorbike whilst it is on the road?

Any motor vehicle that is on a public road is required to display tax and the registration plates. Covering the vehicle could prevent both from been seen and this could be an offence.
It would not be illegal to cover the vehicle as long as the tax and registration plates could be seen. Clear plastic panels could be used in the appropriate places to enable the registration plates and tax discs to be visible.

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q728.htm

cyclonebri1

Premier wrote: »

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q728.htm

You know right now the "law " is being made a mockery off. All this sheite about having to have panels in covers, FFSake, the gov/plod know if vehicles are untaxed/unmotted/uninsured. the physical check is no longer neccessary.When will legislation catch up

What would be more likely to attract the attention of "plod" than a shed with a cover over it???

Viper_7

Legislation will need to be passed to prevent it from snowing, after all clearing the snow could cause plod an injury and thus wouldn't be allowed under H&S

moonrakerz

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

the gov/plod know if vehicles are untaxed/unmotted/uninsured. the physical check is no longer neccessary.When will legislation catch up

If only................... my son had his truck impounded by the police, because DVLA said his licence had been revoked - it hadn't ! DVLA then said it would take two weeks to issue another licence - by which time the van would have been crushed !

His MP's office got them to pull their fingers out - now trying to get £450 back from DVLA !!!! :mad:

Nilrem

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

You know right now the "law " is being made a mockery off. All this sheite about having to have panels in covers, FFSake, the gov/plod know if vehicles are untaxed/unmotted/uninsured. the physical check is no longer neccessary.When will legislation catch up

What would be more likely to attract the attention of "plod" than a shed with a cover over it???

With regards to the tax disc, part of the reason it's still around is because it's easier/quicker in general for it to be displayed than for them to ring up/use a radio every time they want to check it's taxed.
It also makes it possible for the public to report untaxed cars seen on the road.
Think about it for a second, it takes one person a couple of seconds to look at the disk (so a police officer/traffic warden can look at them as they walk past a line of cars without stopping/slowing down).
To check it on the computer requires at least a minute + phone/computer for at least one person (possibly 2 if it has to be radioed in), and that's assuming the system is up (not down due to problems/updating) and they can get straight through - higher tech isn't always faster/better/more reliable.

It's also worth noting that the computer systems can lag behind, or even be wrong, hence the continued use (and requirement) for paper copies of things like the tax disc, licence, and insurance documentation.
The MID for example can be out by days/weeks if your insurance company doesn't update it daily, and some might only update weekly.
It can also take time for all the connected systems to update even if done daily, as any change in status has to work it's way from insurance company, to central system, to say Thames Valley ANPR, to the ANPR in individual cars (which is one of the reasons many of the better insurance companies have a dedicated number police can call to check if someone is insured, if it isn't showing on the computer).

cyclonebri1

Yes fair enough point, but there is no need for anyone to look for these or to report them. It is all one the system and automatically flags when a car is not taxed or sorned, automatic fine

adouglasmhor

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Yes fair enough point, but there is no need for anyone to look for these or to report them. It is all one the system and automatically flags when a car is not taxed or sorned, automatic fine

You do get people who sorn then drive or park on public streets though.