Car tax disc to be axed after 93 years

AdrianC

Norman_Castle wrote: »

If there are no insurance checks, how would they know to fine someone for being uninsured?.

They don't check at the PO, at the time of selling the disc. Instead, it's a constant on-going check against the MID. (https://www.askmid.co.uk)

If a car is not on MID, and is not SORNed - send fine.

Tilt

AdrianC wrote: »

Umm, no. Because if the registered keeper omits either or both, they now automatically get prosecuted - without the car even needing to be seen on the road. The only ways out are to declare the car SORN (which will ping it straight up on any ANPR, now on virtually every police car) or to have it keeper-less. Again, instant ping.

I did say I would comment no further BUT this is all very well if the car has an RK. Plus shouldn't uninsured drivers be prevented from driving at the earliest opportunity rather than waiting for them to get caught by the system?

AdrianC wrote: »

The only value, since everything went computerised, has been to give neighbourhood busy-bodies some justification for their sad self-righteousness. Honestly, I think civilisation will survive.

Yes, and I am one of those 'sad' people. I do indeed report cars that I see with considerably out of date tax discs. I keep my cars legal at considerable expense so why should a turn a blind eye to those that don't? There is the case of that said cars may have a lot more wrong with them than just the tax being out of date, so there is the safety aspect to consider as well. As I said before (many times), a tax disc which is considerably out of date provides a clue that there are perhaps other significant reasons why a vehicle should not be on the road.

AdrianC

Tilt wrote: »

Plus shouldn't uninsured drivers be prevented from driving at the earliest opportunity rather than waiting for them to get caught by the system?

Which, of course, is what happens currently. ANPR pings it up in the police car, and Mr Plod stops the vehicle. If it smells like it really is uninsured, rather than a MID error, the car is impounded.

How would a round piece of paper that says it was insured a year ago, perhaps by somebody else entirely, help that?

As I said before (many times), a tax disc which is considerably out of date provides a clue that there are perhaps other significant reasons why a vehicle should not be on the road.

A clue, yes, and not a very big one. No more than that.

Tilt

AdrianC wrote: »

Which, of course, is what happens currently. ANPR pings it up in the police car, and Mr Plod stops the vehicle. If it smells like it really is uninsured, rather than a MID error, the car is impounded.

How would a round piece of paper that says it was insured a year ago, perhaps by somebody else entirely, help that?

Because if you live in a rural area, the chances of getting pinged by an ANPR equipped police car are pretty slim. That "round piece of paper" can be seen by people (including beat bobbies) in areas where police cars are less frequent.

AdrianC wrote: »

A clue, yes, and not a very big one.[/B] No more than that.

Enough to get the police and/or other authorities to investigate.

Clearly we are not going to agree on this as I stand by my opinion, it's a bad idea to abolish the tax disc and not replace it with something else which is visible to other road users.

Have a nice day.

Jamie_Carter

Iceweasel wrote: »

As far as I can see - it's not the paying money to use a car that is being abolished - it's only the physical disc itself.

Winston Churchill abolished Car Tax back in 1937 and the VED just goes into the general funds, along with all the other kinds of 'tax' we all pay.

So we all pay for the roads - including cyclists - who are often accused (or shouted at) of using them for free.

I thought the Direct Debit option was a good idea - until I read this bit:

The new option of paying by monthly direct debit is also expected to cost 5% more than paying for a full year in one go.

No benefit at all.

It's still cheaper than opting for the current 6 month option, which costs an extra 10%.

hgotsparkle

Though I do always feel extremely deflated paying £200 for a small piece of paper every year, I at least know its been paid and I have proof of it.

This will only lead to more people 'not realising' they're driving untaxed vehicles.

~Chameleon~

hgotsparkle wrote: »

This will only lead to more people 'not realising' they're driving untaxed vehicles.

If you're paying by monthly direct debit then surely this wouldn't become an issue as it will be a rolling cost unless cancelled/vehicle sold? On the otherhand, won't DVLA still send out reminders when the annual fee is due?

AdrianC

Tilt wrote: »

Clearly we are not going to agree on this as I stand by my opinion, it's a bad idea to abolish the tax disc and not replace it with something else which is visible to other road users.

If we MUST have a piece of paper in the windscreen, there's a FAR stronger argument for it to be MOT and/or insurance, as in France.

Have a nice day.

And your good self.

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

It's still cheaper than opting for the current 6 month option, which costs an extra 10%.

They're bringing that down to 5% in October.

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

On the otherhand, won't DVLA still send out reminders when the annual fee is due?

Yes, they will.

hgotsparkle

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

If you're paying by monthly direct debit then surely this wouldn't become an issue as it will be a rolling cost unless cancelled/vehicle sold? On the otherhand, won't DVLA still send out reminders when the annual fee is due?

I've had 2 friends who have been paying car insurance by monthly direct debit, yet the company didn't have a policy for them for 5 months!




I'd much prefer to pay for a disc in a shop with physical proof its done, than risk the above happening on taxation.

Stageshoot

How do the new rules affect cars in the £0 band? (Under 99g/km)

Both my cars fall intot his band, and currently I have to take the £0 renewal letter from the DVLA to the post office and swap it for a £0 Tax disc each year.

I am hoping I will now have to do nothing, but fear with the governments love for red tape I will still have to register and do renewals for £0. Anybody Know? I could not see it in the breakdown of the new system anywhere.