Urgent Car Tax Question!

Happy_bunny

I've just noticed my car tax runs out today 31/05/2014 - had thought it was next month

Anyhow - need to know the situation re not being able to tax it today or tomorrow - Sunday due to post office being closed.

I know that you can re-tax online, presuming they send the disc? but can't do that as not enough funds in the bank, have the money here so can't even put it in the bank to pay online till Monday :eek:
Any advice? I know it's only going to be a day but I'm scared i'll be stopped by the police as I have to drive the car tomorrow

Oli.s

You can keep the vehicle off the road for less than 14 days without taxing or or declaring sorn. So you have the option of not needing to get the tax today but you must keep it off the road and not drive it on on the highway it until you have purchased new tax. Suggest you get a lift or use public transport until you re tax.

BobQ

Happy_bunny wrote: »

I've just noticed my car tax runs out today 31/05/2014 - had thought it was next month

Anyhow - need to know the situation re not being able to tax it today or tomorrow - Sunday due to post office being closed.

I know that you can re-tax online, presuming they send the disc? but can't do that as not enough funds in the bank, have the money here so can't even put it in the bank to pay online till Monday :eek:
Any advice? I know it's only going to be a day but I'm scared i'll be stopped by the police as I have to drive the car tomorrow

Safest solution is not to go out, wait until Monday and go to a Post Office that issues them. You will then have a valid disc to display.

The Government is planning to dispense with the tax disc in Oct, but until they do the offence is not to display the disc. It is insufficient justification to say that you have a disc.

That said, since most of the checks these days are done via number plate recognition software, having applied on line would significantly reduce the chance of being caught and I doubt they would bother prosecuting now if you have paid on line. However, parking outside your local police station without one would not be a good idea.

Happy_bunny

Thanks for confirming - thought there MIGHT have been a 'grace' period as its the w/end?

Ah well change of plans?!

Annie1960

Happy_bunny wrote: »

Thanks for confirming - thought there MIGHT have been a 'grace' period as its the w/end?

Ah well change of plans?!

In the days before computer, people had a 2 week grace period when the accepted practice was to stick a note on the windscreen stating 'tax disc in post.'

I suspect that is no longer appropriate, as mentioned above electronic checks are done based on your registration plate number.

forgotmyname

Use someone elses card and buy it online?

MX5huggy

If you could buy it online now in the next 47 minutes as you have 14 days then to get the disk and display.

Even if you don't manage the midnight deadline I would buy online and risk it myself as you wont get pinged by ANPR which is how they check it these days in 90% of cases.

Happy_bunny

Have managed - (with some financial juggling!) to buy the tax online - will have the tax in the post within a week and even sent me a email with the details on so that if there's any confusion I can prove I'm covered.

Will teach me to be on top of things in future

But thanks all for the advice!

pvt

Correct - so long as you buy the disc online before the end of the month you have 14 days grace before you need to display it.

spiro

pvt wrote: »

Correct - so long as you buy the disc online before the end of the month you have 14 days grace before you need to display it.

5 working days not 2 weeks (thats how long DVLA guarantee to delivery disc).

arcon5

spiro wrote: »

5 working days not 2 weeks (thats how long DVLA guarantee to delivery disc).

Actually it's 14 days - not 5 working days in which the exemption applies!