MSE News: Drivers struggle to renew road tax

Norman_Castle

Who cares what people call it. We all know what is meant when they call it 'road tax'.

Ask 20 people what road tax is and why its paid. At least 50% will incorrectly tell you its paid to fund the roads.

Iceweasel

ElkyElky wrote: »

Gee, it really annoys some people that others call it road tax. I call it road tax like the majority of the people, knowing full well it isn't 'road tax' but actually VED and based on the emissions of the vehicle.

Who cares what people call it. We all know what is meant when they call it 'road tax'. Get a life. Find something productive to whine about.

On that note, my road tax is due at the end of next month and I always buy it when the reminder comes in otherwise I'll end up forgetting. £280 something or other, pretty sure my road tax has gone up a fiver since last year. Hate road tax but what can ya do other than pay up and shut up. Road tax, argh!

If you can't see the difference between a Tax or a Charge or Duty then you have a problem. perhaps you don't know that - but you do.

Every time I'm on a cross-channel ferry I hear folks talk about the 'Duty-Free' - I just smile to myself.

That's why we are in the state we are in - I used to hear people say -"Oh, but you know what I mean." - many times a day.

I often don't know what people mean - I only have the words they say to go on - and they often say one thing and mean another.

The Community Charge that Thatcher was famous for was called a Poll Tax - she defended it vigorously as NOT a tax - I didn't agree with the woman on very much at all - but she was right in that instance. Ironically it was replaced with Council Tax.

There is still a whole generation of people around who call the VED 'Road Fund Licence'.

I agree with Norman - the majority of the public actually do think that the money they pay for the now invisible disc goes to pay for the roads.

ElkyElky

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Ask 20 people what road tax is and why its paid. At least 50% will incorrectly tell you its paid to fund the roads.

Is it absolutely necessary to know though, or relevant? It has to be paid regardless, if you want to remain legal. What it's technically called or where it goes is irrelevant if your only sole purpose of buying it is to remain legal. Personally, I certainly don't care for the technical details because as long as it makes me legal then I'm happy to get in my car and not give it another thought until next year.

And as the previous poster said, it's no different referring to a vacuum cleaner as a hoover. It could even be argued that 'road tax' is a legitimate and correct term for its official VED, since it's a tax which must be obtained (free or otherwise) to allow the car to be driven legally on public roads.

System

If you can't see the difference between a Tax or a Charge or Duty then you have a problem

The difference is immaterial. If it is something that needs to be paid to allow you to do or act legally then there is no difference apart from spelling. The effect of each is the same.

Even the government make no distinction by referring to having to pay vehicle excise DUTY to get a TAX disc


Shall we throw Road Fund Licence into the fray? That is the other name that is/was in general use for car/road tax.

Hintza

So why are cars placed in a "Tax Class" on the V5c?

I don't really care what people call it if someone says I need to pay my "Road Tax" I know what they mean and 99.9% of car drivers know what they mean. If I say I have to pay my Vehicle Excise Duty then the percentage of people that know what they mean will drop sharply.

There really is no need to be pedantic about it.

System

Because the normal association of duty is their duty-free allowance when the come back from holiday.

Word association built up over time is very difficult if nigh on impossible to change.

redux

Ectophile wrote: »

I can't think why people were leaving it until the last minute to renew their tax. You can do it as soon as you get the reminder.

I got mine done at the Post Office a fortnight ago.

If people have had the car off the road and are waiting until the turn of the month, they can do it only a day or two early at most, and I believe perhaps that is only in person at the post office. Some might not know it can be done early at all.

minislim

somehow i'm not buying the excuse of people not having the money to pay for their tax weeks in advance.

simple budgeting throughout the year can make sure you have the money ready when you need it.

it boils more down to people living beyond their means.

a car that costs £135 a year to tax will only set you back £2.60 per week or £11.25 per month.

now that is easily achievable as you have a whole year to save.

anyway the new way to tax allows you to pay monthly so this makes it even easier now!

Rover_Driver

If people have had the car off the road and are waiting until the turn of the month, they can do it only a day or two early at most, and I believe perhaps that is only in person at the post office. Some might not know it can be done early at all


Normally available from 5th of the preceding month, if you are going to be abroad etc., it can be arranged to be up to 2 months in advance.

ElkyElky

I stand by what I said in an earlier post. People seriously need to find something better to do with their time rather than correct members and staff alike on the forum who calls it 'road tax' rather than VED.

Seriously, who the heck cares? Clearly the sad acts care but anyone else? I for one will continue calling it road tax because that is what it is... a tax for using my vehicle on public roads.