is it safe? - road tax online

jen_jen_2

ive just been to the government website to do my road tax online
https://www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc
and when it gets to payment it has no padlock symbol at the bottom of the page, are my details safe??

April2

I don't proceed if that's the case.

Personally, I'd go to a small local Post Office so they get some money for handling the transaction.

pinkfluffybabe

I used it last year and it was absolutely fine. Tax disc came in the post two days later.

balgobin

I've used it twice no problems tax disc arrived really quickly.

Jeannine

It's https:// etc. which means that it is secure. I'm just about to do mine online for the first time too!

daveboy

Well, you learn something new every day.

I had no idea you could do this online - thanks to the OP for somewhat unintentionally telling me. I will use this site when mine needs renewing at the end of January - I hate using the Post Office.

Apparently credit cards should be accepted at some point soon too, so for those that hold cashback credit cards it certainly is worth noting as many MSE'ers must own a car, I'm sure.

greenwich

jen_jen wrote:

ive just been to the government website to do my road tax online

I don't understand why the DVLA don't make the online option clear when they send the renewal notice every year! I hate queuing at post offices. This could have saved me so much time. BTW, how do they check you have insurance if you're buying the tax disc online?

Altarf

greenwich wrote:

I don't understand why the DVLA don't make the online option clear when they send the renewal notice every year!

It has only recently been launched, and it had a 'soft' launch so it was only advertised to a limited number of people in case it fell over.

greenwich wrote:

how do they check you have insurance if you're buying the tax disc online?

DVLA and the insurance companies have a database of insured cars. One is also being rolled out for MOTs.

One problem with the on-line renewal is if your insurance (or MOT) expires at the same time as your tax disc. Even if you have renewed your insurance, it takes a short while for the database to be updated so they don't think your car is insured and thus won't let you buy the tax disc. Buying a 6 month tax disc solves this though.

JohalaReewi

To renew your car tax online, you also need to have one of the new format computerised MOT certificates. If you have the old style hand written MOT certificate, you can't use the online service (not sure about cars less than 3 years old that don't have an MOT certificate).

beautifulgorgeous_2

Just used it at the end of August with no problems. Car three today so just got an MOT and insurance due for renewal at the end of the month. Post office always snotty that only a little insurance left and did not fancy not having MOT either even if it wasnt due. Only took two days to come. Really good.

Stonk

I hate it when the Post Office are snotty about there not being much insurance or MOT left. Do they expect us to buy insurance for overlapping periods, or get an MOT before it is due?

Anyone buying a brand new car, in particular, is bound to find the tax, MOT and insurance running in the same yearly cycle. Hrngggg.