Car tax disc to be axed after 93 years

SailorSam

Iceweasel wrote: »

Also it will be possible for anyone to check the tax status of any car online.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vehicle-tax-changes

Pity they can't bring out a similar website to check on the insurance status of cars.
I know someone who has been driving now for over 30yrs and never taken a driving test. I'd love to know what she told her insurance company.
I presume she just keeps renewing her provissional licence but maybe she hasn't even got one of those.

[Deleted User]

You can already check the tax status and insurance of any car online.

http://taxdisc.direct.gov.uk
http://www.askmid.com

Iceweasel

Deleted_User wrote: »

You can already check the tax status and insurance of any car online.

http://taxdisc.direct.gov.uk
http://www.askmid.com

I know that Lee - as well as you do - but the question was raised as to how would someone know that the car they were buying, renting, or borrowing was taxed, as there would be no disc on the screen.

So thanks for posting the links for those who were not aware.

[Deleted User]

Iceweasel wrote: »

I know that Lee - as well as you do - but the question was raised as to how would someone know that the car they were buying, renting, or borrowing was taxed, as there would be no disc on the screen.

So thanks for posting the links for those who were not aware.

The car you were buying wouldn't be taxed as the remaining tax is refunded to the seller and the new buyer has to get their own tax.

Why would it matter if it was taxed before hand?

Also those sites work on smart phones and can be used while looking at a car before driving a rental/borrow away.

Tilt

I've said it earlier on in the thread and no one (so far) has really given a satisfactory answer.

In the event of an accident (not that I have had many), how do you check the legal status of the other driver? Obviously the presence of a valid tax disc gives you a clue that all is most likely legit BUT without a tax disc, you are totally in the dark to whether (or not) you have been involved in an accident with a driver who shouldn't be on the road in the first place.

It's all very well saying you can check the status on line via your smart phone, but what if you havn't got one or can't get a signal? Where I live, there are quite a few areas where mobile network signals are not consistent.

I cannot see any benefit from doing away with the tax disc apart from saving the government in administration costs but at the same time, surely it is going to mean an increase of drivers not paying for their 'road tax' because they are less likely to get noticed.

Sorry, but it's a stupid idea in my opinion full stop.

AdrianC

Tilt wrote: »

I've said it earlier on in the thread and no one (so far) has really given a satisfactory answer.

In the event of an accident (not that I have had many), how do you check the legal status of the other driver? Obviously the presence of a valid tax disc gives you a clue that all is most likely legit BUT without a tax disc, you are totally in the dark to whether (or not) you have been involved in an accident with a driver who shouldn't be on the road in the first place.

Whether the car that you've hit is taxed or not makes not one jot of difference, and _certainly_ makes none at the roadside. Nor does it give you the _vaguest_ hint as to whether the person behind the wheel is insured to be driving it or not.

Tilt

AdrianC wrote: »

Whether the car that you've hit is taxed or not makes not one jot of difference, and _certainly_ makes none at the roadside. Nor does it give you the _vaguest_ hint as to whether the person behind the wheel is insured to be driving it or not.

Of course it does. If the tax is significantly out of date, it follows that it is highly likely the driver is un-insured does it not?

Aside from that, don't you think it will increase the amount of drivers who don't pay their 'road tax'? The only way they are likely to get caught is if they are spotted by a police car equipped with ANPR. At least with a tax disc, vigilant members of the public can report un-taxed cars on line.

AdrianC

Tilt wrote: »

Of course it does. If the tax is significantly out of date, it follows that it is highly likely the driver is un-insured does it not?

No more than a current disc does.

Please be so kind as to explain exactly what a current disc implies, other than that somebody - not necessarily the current keeper, let alone the current driver - was insured for the car anything up to 54 weeks ago.

Actually, it doesn't even say that, now that insurance isn't checked on tax disc sale.

Tilt

AdrianC wrote: »

No more than a current disc does.

Please be so kind as to explain exactly what a current disc implies, other than that somebody - not necessarily the current keeper, let alone the current driver - was insured for the car anything up to 54 weeks ago.

Actually, it doesn't even say that, now that insurance isn't checked on tax disc sale.

Are you sure about that? So part of the process of applying for a tax disc, dosn't require the vehicle to be insured? I'm sorry but I thought it did... silly me!

AdrianC

Tilt wrote: »

Are you sure about that? So part of the process of applying for a tax disc, dosn't require the vehicle to be insured? I'm sorry but I thought it did... silly me!

It changed a few months back.

Go into a PO to buy a tax disc, and you're no longer asked for an insurance certificate. They don't check it online, either. The logic goes that, since it's an automatic offence to have a car taxed but not insured, they'll sell you a disc, but then send you a fine for doing so.

And, of course, we all know that nobody ever commits any motoring offence, and that every car has a registered keeper who's traceable at all times, don't we?