Is the new car tax law retrospective?

The_Walker

I've just realised a car I bought in March 2014 with tax disc (to Oct 2014) is actually untaxed since March according to the DVLA website?

I knew rules have changed from the 1st October 2014, but I didn't know it was retrospective. So they are not honouring car tax discs bought along with a 2nd car before Oct 2014?

I'm a little surprised Wouldn't it have been far easier all round to honour current tax discs, and effect the new rules on any cars bought after Oct?

Foxy-Stoat_3

Since the new law didn't come into effect until 1st October, how can your car be untaxed from March ?

I think you have misunderstood the new law.

BillTrac

The rules only came into effect on October 1st 2014. Any tax discs before that are still valid. Something is wrong with your tax. I would actually check the validity/legality of the tax disc you have.

It's only tax bought after 1st October 2014 that cannot be transferred with the vehicle.

It is not retrospective

The_Walker

Right, so my tax disc should be valid. Yet the online website says it's untaxed. I'm guessing then that this is an error with the new system.

I've got a copy of my tax disc and I'll try to get through to the DVLA and speak to a humanoid.

The website also says my new tax will run from the 1st October. Yet my disc expires on the 31st October. Odd.

Norman_Castle

So they are not honouring car tax discs bought along with a 2nd car before Oct 2014?

The paper disc is irrelevant. The previous owner may have reclaimed the tax claiming the disc was lost or stolen.

The_Walker

Norman_Castle wrote: »

The paper disc is irrelevant. The previous owner may have reclaimed the tax claiming the disc was lost or stolen.

He could do that with the vehicle in my name?

harrys_dad

The_Walker wrote: »

He could do that with the vehicle in my name?

Yes, because presumably he did it after he told them he had sold it, probably at the same time. I did think you had to send the paper disc back though.

sinizterguy

The_Walker wrote: »

He could do that with the vehicle in my name?

Yes. Before it was fully registered to your name with the DVLA which could have been anything from 2 weeks to 2 months from when you sent in the paperwork.

That is most likely what happened.

Norman_Castle

The_Walker wrote: »

He could do that with the vehicle in my name?

He could do that as the current owner which he was just before you bought it.

Rover_Driver

The_Walker wrote: »

Right, so my tax disc should be valid. Yet the online website says it's untaxed. I'm guessing then that this is an error with the new system.

If the previous keeper had claimed a refund, the disc you have would be invalid and the vehicle would have been unlicensed since then.


The current or previous registered keeper could have claimed the refund, so it could have been done after you bought the car.

The_Walker

I've spoken to the DVLA and it appears to be an error on their system. The current disc is showing up (thankfully) and checks out. It hasn't been refunded, but some part of their process isn't recognising the car as being taxed. I hope they sort it out promptly because I don't want to tax it online using the incorrect start date (which is a month early).

I could be wrong, but I bet this has everything to do with their new rules starting and their system making mistakes retrospectively. Look out for errors when you try to renew online. You may just get a message saying your vehicle is untaxed!