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Any grace period on taxing a newly bought car?
Hi,
So I bought a second hand car on 13/05 that is showing as taxed and insured on DVLA and AskMID respectively (courtesy of previous owner). I only have the green slip so not sure if the previous owner has sent the V5 to DVLA and how long it takes them to update their records.
I am going to start using my new car from 1st of June onwards as that is when my insurance starts on this car, so the car is currently off-road. Questions are:
1. Do I need to SORN the car now, considering that I would be applying for tax on 1st June anyway?
2. Would/ can DVLA issue a FINE if I don't tax or SORN the car between now and 1st of June'23?
Thanks.
So I bought a second hand car on 13/05 that is showing as taxed and insured on DVLA and AskMID respectively (courtesy of previous owner). I only have the green slip so not sure if the previous owner has sent the V5 to DVLA and how long it takes them to update their records.
I am going to start using my new car from 1st of June onwards as that is when my insurance starts on this car, so the car is currently off-road. Questions are:
1. Do I need to SORN the car now, considering that I would be applying for tax on 1st June anyway?
2. Would/ can DVLA issue a FINE if I don't tax or SORN the car between now and 1st of June'23?
Thanks.
0
Comments
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1. Yes
2. Yes5 -
All vehicles have to be either:
Taxed and insured or..
Declared off road by way of a SORN and kept off road..3 -
You should have sorned it or taxed it straight away. If the risk of theft concerns you, you might want to insure it even if you are not using it.1
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This is what I get when I try to SORN it:

0 -
There is an 'Or' in the last paragraph which means I am OK to wait for the new V5C. Am I getting it wrong?[Deleted User] said:
OK, so send off the forms as in the last paragraph.psarinuk said:This is what I get when I try to SORN it:
0 -
Yes, but you might wait for ever if the previous owner hasn't sent off the V5C.psarinuk said:
There is an 'Or' in the last paragraph which means I am OK to wait for the new V5C. Am I getting it wrong?[Deleted User] said:
OK, so send off the forms as in the last paragraph.psarinuk said:This is what I get when I try to SORN it:
0 -
Ok to wait as long as I don't get a fine from DVLA:)[Deleted User] said:
Yes, but you might wait for ever if the previous owner hasn't sent off the V5C.psarinuk said:
There is an 'Or' in the last paragraph which means I am OK to wait for the new V5C. Am I getting it wrong?[Deleted User] said:
OK, so send off the forms as in the last paragraph.psarinuk said:This is what I get when I try to SORN it:
I can chase him at the end of this month if I don't get a new logbook by then.0 -
In my experience:psarinuk said:
1. Do I need to SORN the car now, considering that I would be applying for tax on 1st June anyway?
2. Would/ can DVLA issue a FINE if I don't tax or SORN the car between now and 1st of June'23?
I only have the green slip so not sure if the previous owner has sent the V5 to DVLA and how long it takes them to update their records.
1. You should park it in a private place like a driveway, see 2 below.
2. Unlikely. They send a letter to the registered keeper if the road tax is not renewed asking for it to be taxed or SORN within a certain time, as it may have been an 'oversight'. I've seen this several times with family members who forgot to renew the road tax.
If the previous keeper informs DVLA of the sale online then road tax expires the same day.1 -
As it showing as taxed then you will not be fined for it not being sorn.
the DVLA are only concerned that it is taxed, not who has taxed it.
It is only when he notifies them if the change of ownership that you need to SORN it, if still appropriate.
Check everyday to see if the position has changed.1
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