Tax - Driving without current disc/Applying

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:36

OK, car is currently SORN'd, tax disc was previously up in July.
Insurance starts today.
First time taxing under my name so no reminder letter.
Need to tax for 6 months.

If I apply by phone/online today, will all be ok under my name? Reminder letter/disc will come to me next time rather than previous owner?
Can I then drive whilst I wait on the disc due to it previously being SORN'd?

Don't know much about the procedures and legality of driving after having applied for but not recieved the disc.

Thanks for any help.

AtlanticP · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:42

Any use mate?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/index.htm

IIRC Although you may have tax on your car you can still get in trouble for failing to display it.

Once in your name it remain that way until such time that its changed.

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:46

Yep have been reading that but confused by this bit:

If you prefer to tax in the last few days of the month, there is now an exemption from the offence of not displaying a tax disc. This exemption covers the first five working days of the month and allows time for the new disc to arrive in the post.

The exemption only applies if applications are made before the current tax disc or SORN expires.

So does that mean that you can only drive the first 5 days of the new month whilst waiting for it on the post?

Or to put it another way, if I apply for it today, I can't drive today?

Unlight · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:47

skippi90 said:
OK, car is currently SORN'd, tax disc was previously up in July.
Insurance starts today.
First time taxing under my name so no reminder letter.
Need to tax for 6 months.

If I apply by phone/online today, will all be ok under my name? Reminder letter/disc will come to me next time rather than previous owner?

Can I then drive whilst I wait on the disc due to it previously being SORN'd?

Don't know much about the procedures and legality of driving after having applied for but not recieved the disc.

Thanks for any help.

You are still technically committing an offence by failing to display a tax disc for your vehicle. If the police stop you, as they may probably do as the car will still be showing up as SORNd, they will most likely deal with this appropriately.

There is no grace period in N.Ireland for expired tax. It is a "concession", but still not legal.

It all depends if you think its worth the hassle. I'd just wait for the tax disc to come in the post personally!

OllyM · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:48

skippi90 said:
So does that mean that you can only drive the first 5 days of the new month whilst waiting for it on the post?

Or to put it another way, if I apply for it today, I can't drive today?

Yes, that is correct - can you not get it from a Post Office?

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:49

OllyM said:
Yes, that is correct - can you not get it from a Post Office?

I was under the impression that you need a reminder letter/have taxed it before under your name, to get it from the post office?

Or at least that's what my parents, and a mate I asked, have said.

malfunkshun · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:49

MOT, insurance cert and V10 and get one over the counter at the post office.
if you tax it today you will lose 24 days worth because the disk will expire end of January. If you wait until next Monday it expire end of February.

Unlight · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:51

By the way, could you not just go to a Post Office and do it. Seems like you have all the necessary documents?

http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/vehicles/taxvehicleused.htm

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:54

Hmm, well the Post Office site says I just need my V5C, MOT cert and Insurance cert.

Wonder why I was told otherwise...

Unlight · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:56

Read the above link. Its relevent to N.Ireland, which is slightly different to the rest of the UK.

You'll be fine with the V5, MOT certificate and the Insurance.

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 13:58

Unlight said:
Read the above link. Its relevent to N.Ireland, which is slightly different to the rest of the UK.

You'll be fine with the V5, MOT certificate and the Insurance.

Now I'm confused.

So I'm fine with those documents and won't need to complete and produce a V10?

malfunkshun · 24 Aug 2009 at 14:01

you will need a V10 (get it at the PO and fill it in) because you havent got the V11 reminder, forgot to say take the V5 or new owner suppliment too.

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 14:02

Okiedoke.

Thanks for all your help guys.

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 16:06

Well it would appear that none of the local Post Offices can process a V10.

Unlight · 24 Aug 2009 at 16:28

Why not go to a bigger one that can?

Heres a list :

http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/vehicles/postoffices.aspx

Near to you - Armagh, Lurgan or Markethill Post Offices will do it..

malfunkshun · 24 Aug 2009 at 16:31

what? they cant transfer the data from the form to the electronic version and hand the disc, receipt and V10 back to you? You wouldn't believe that issuing tax discs is one of the few transactions that a PO still gets paid per peice for :| muppets.

CliffyBiro · 24 Aug 2009 at 16:31

Unlight said:
Why not go to a bigger one that can?

Heres a list :

http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/vehicles/postoffices.aspx

Near to you - Armagh, Lurgan or Markethill Post Offices will do it..

Gonna go to Armagh tomorrow. Hadn't got the time to go anywhere outside of Newry today.

Finglonga · 24 Aug 2009 at 17:38

skippi90 said:
Well it would appear that none of the local Post Offices can process a V10.

Download the V10 off the website and print it off. I just did it and taxed my car that way.

MrMoonX · 24 Aug 2009 at 18:00

my reminder came the other day and im getting six months, however if i do it today it will expire on the 30th jan, but if I do it on monday it will expire on the 28th feb???? is this correct, cos if so im leaving it until monday and doing it online

Alibaba99 · 24 Aug 2009 at 18:39

malfunkshun said:
what? they cant transfer the data from the form to the electronic version and hand the disc, receipt and V10 back to you? You wouldn't believe that issuing tax discs is one of the few transactions that a PO still gets paid per peice for :| muppets.

I have two post offices within walking distance of work. Only one of them can issue tax disks, and that was going to be shut but appears to have received a last minute reprieve.

I have also used one recently which didn't have the ability to check insurance and tax electronically.