New car tax disc info, please

ulsterman54

Going to take car abroad in November and it will be without a new tax disc. Should I be stopped by the French Police for "some infrigement of their law", what proof do I need to have with me concerning valid car tax? I don't think it's safe to take all the car registration documentation.
Any help, advice is good, as i can't find a link anywhere on-line!

rustyboy21

Why wont it be safe to take your car documents with you?


If there is a chance that you may be stopped, then any backup information would be a benefit to you. You carry around your passport, money, credit cards etc, why are the car docs any different?


There is a lot of confusion about the tax disc at present, I would presume that foreign police forces would have a link to our systems, but it is only the same as any EU resident bringing their cars over here, they don't have tax discs as we know them on their cars.


Maybe ask on the motoring section, some of the posters on there will be able to help you.

InsideInsurance

Why would the french traffic police care about if you are paying a UK tax or not?

They will only be interested if you are complaint with french law and not british

runningben16

I think you're supposed to take all the relevant documentation with you, it's certainly recommended by every ferry and travel company I've ever used. When driving in France I always take the V5, insurance certificate and full driving licence (card and paper parts). Just pop them in an envelope and leave them in the glove box

Westin

Good advice offered from others. Despite the issue and question around not having a tax disc in France, won't your biggest risk and issue be if you arrive back in the UK off the ferry and get stopped by the British police for not having a taxed vehicle? Why can't you tax your car in advance of travelling to France?

spike_pkh

Westin, after Oct there will be no more tax discs. so will be taxed but without proof is what they are saying

Westin

Interesting. I didn't realize that.

PeteDoff

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Why would the french traffic police care about if you are paying a UK tax or not?

They will only be interested if you are complaint with french law and not british

SADLY NOT TRUE

A British car has to be FULLY road legal (taxed etc) in the UK to be legal in the EU, and other places, (otherwise I wouldn't bother taxing mine - WHICH I DO) Check with DVLC.

PeteDoff

runningben16 wrote: »

I think you're supposed to take all the relevant documentation with you, it's certainly recommended by every ferry and travel company I've ever used. When driving in France I always take the V5, insurance certificate and full driving licence (card and paper parts). Just pop them in an envelope and leave them in the glove box

Don't you have a safe in your car? (I do) failing that don't you have pockets in your clothes?

AlexMac

In 40+ years of driving tens of thousands of miles on holiday in UK cars through France (and on to Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Italy...) I have never once been stopped and asked for my log book (although theoretically you should carry it), or driving licence, or had anyone even glance at my tax disc. In fact, the only pull I've had was from the Italian 'guarda di finanza'- the local version of Customs & Excise who are only interested in VAT fraud.

So panic ye not!