Road Tax and Airport parking question.

interstellaflyer

We are going on holiday in two weeks time and have booked one night in hotel plus 15 days parking at Gatwick, whilst we are away my car tax expires, I've applied for the new one so no problem there, however to avoid any possible insurance issues should there be a problem whilst we are a way what should I do with regards displaying the correct tax disc, obviously I won't be there to change the disc on the 1st October as we won't be back til the 7th? Am I ok to leave the old one in? Should I put the new disc in as soon as I park? or should I display both whilst the car is parked up?

I know it may be a stupid question but the recent events at Stanstead got me thinking.

bryanb

Put the new one in as soon as you receive it. It supersedes the old one.

benjus

bryanb wrote: »

Put the new one in as soon as you receive it. It supersedes the old one.

Don't think that's true:

If you buy a new tax disc before your current tax disc expires, you should not display the new one until the old one has expired. The new tax disc is only valid from the first day of the month you have taxed from.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10021514

You may not need to display one at all, as the car will probably be on private land rather than a public road. However, to be on the safe side I'd probably display both.

bryanb

benjus wrote: »

Don't think that's true:

OOPs Sorry

martindow

The offence is to drive on a public road with showing the disc. Your car will be on private land (unless it is a rogue meet and greet company who park cars on streets) so I would put the new disc in when you get back and before you drive out of the car park.

interstellaflyer

martindow wrote: »

The offence is to drive on a public road with showing the disc. Your car will be on private land (unless it is a rogue meet and greet company who park cars on streets) so I would put the new disc in when you get back and before you drive out of the car park.

No, it is on site hotel parking, however the T&Cs require the car to be Taxed, Insured and have a current MOT (if needed), my main worry is from an insurance angle, should the car get damaged whilst parked up, insurance companies trying find any method possible to wriggle out of paying up ie if I display an expired tax disc or one that technicaly hasn't yet started.

Inactive

Put them both on display if you are that worried.

HXDave

displaying both the old tax disc and the new one will cover all angles.

and just to slightly correct one poster above, you do not have to drive your car to require road tax. even if it is parked on a public highway it requires a tax disc, and if parked on private land without a valid tax disc, it is required to be registered as SORN (Statutary Off Road Notification).

Bob_the_Saver

I'm not sure but I think it now applies to land that the public have access to, so it should be taxed.