Buying car tax but not displaying it

Nine_Lives

Asking on behalf of someone -

they can't find their insurance documents to get the tax at the PO tomorrow (which is the last day for their tax).
They can do it online, as it electronically checks for insurance, but obviously there's the 5 working days wait for the tax to arrive.

If they buy it tonight & let's say a copper stops them on Wednesday, can they get into trouble for it? If so then what? Or would they just be given a producer of some sort to prove they bought it within the timeframe?

timbo58

Yes, they can get done for it.
It's called 'failing to display' and means what it says.
There is no timeframe: you either are displaying it or you're not.

They do run the risk of having the car seized though- worst case.

Can't they get the insurance company to fax/email them a copy certificate (they'll charge a fee of course though)?

hartcjhart

most police would just check to see if it is indeed taxed and satisfy themselves that way,so a penalty for failure to display would be highly unlikely,
more of a risk are traffic wardens,but do as i have done and that is to print the docs from DVLA re taxing online and place them in the front window where the tax would normally be

closed

If they apply online or by phone before it expires, they've got 5 days grace

Print out the confirmation in case they get stopped.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

all depends on the copper stopping you.

if he's/she's by the book, then expect a fine.

if not then they might aswell e satified with the online purchase
and send you on your way.

taylor_alan

You get a 5 day grace period which exempts you by law from displaying a tax disc, this was passed when they allowed you to start taxing vehicles online and you cannot be given a failure to display notice during this time. Your confirmation e-mail from the DVLA will confirm this... might be wise to carry it around with you to prove purchase,,,

paddedjohn

timbo58 wrote: »

Yes, they can get done for it.
It's called 'failing to display' and means what it says.
There is no timeframe: you either are displaying it or you're not.

They do run the risk of having the car seized though- worst case.

Can't they get the insurance company to fax/email them a copy certificate (they'll charge a fee of course though)?

Sorry but all the above is wrong, as the previous post points out you have 5 days grace period in which you dont have to display a valid tax disc.

Nine_Lives

Incredible at the varying responses. I'm sure that this isn't one of those 'grey area' scenarios & that there is a black & white answer to it

Anyway, thanks for the responses. Did a bit of digging & +1 for the 5 day grace.

closed

this is the black and white answer

https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/app/home/commonquestions#question9

Joe_Horner

Nine_Lives wrote: »

Incredible at the varying responses. I'm sure that this isn't one of those 'grey area' scenarios & that there is a black & white answer to it

Anyway, thanks for the responses. Did a bit of digging & +1 for the 5 day grace.

It's not a grey area at all. Unfortunately it's one of those area (as with a lort of motoring matters) where urban myths and out-dated information get thrown around as truth.

5 days "grace" are allowed, by law, on online or phone applications for tax disks provided the new one is applied for before the old one runs out (so before midnight on the 30th in this case)

There is no official grace period if you apply after that, so if you tax it online at 1 minute past midnight on the 1st of the month you have to wait for the disk to arrive according to the letter of the law.

It's unlikely you'd get fined in that case but you could be if they wanted to.

Tilt

Nine_Lives wrote: »

Incredible at the varying responses. I'm sure that this isn't one of those 'grey area' scenarios & that there is a black & white answer to it

Anyway, thanks for the responses. Did a bit of digging & +1 for the 5 day grace.

Tells you on the V11 (reminder) in the 'Taxing' section about the 5 day exemption.