I may have a bit of a problem...

ItsBenji90 · 3 Mar 2010 at 19:39

Ive recently bought a motorbike from a friend (registered in my name on 04/02, I have the V5C registration certificate) and I havnt picked it up yet as I need to tax it.
The problem is when I apply for a tax disc on the DirectGov website it tells me there is a gap in licencing with this message

Previous Tax Disc or SORN declaration expired on: 01 02 2010

It is an offence to be the registered keeper of a vehicle that is unlicensed and does not have SORN declared.

You can apply for a tax disc from today’s date, with a Licence Start Date of the 1st of this month. However, please note the above offence will still apply.

DVLA’s Continuous Registration Enforcement Centre may be in contact with the registered keeper regarding this gap in licensing.

Considering that expiration date was when my friend was the registered keeper is he comminting an offence or am I?
Im not sure if just getting a tax disc would sort the problem (which is what I was intending to do in the first place)

Any help would be much appreciated

Antipasti · 3 Mar 2010 at 19:48

I had the same message when I taxed my last car. I never heard anything so I can only assume the previous owner got fined.

Maz · 3 Mar 2010 at 19:49

Just do it at the post office and you'll be fine.

Antipasti · 3 Mar 2010 at 19:52

Maz said:
Just do it at the post office and you'll be fine.

Thats what I did and they repeated what the online service said.

Maz · 3 Mar 2010 at 19:58

It should have been sorned, but you'll be ok just taxing it from now.

Or if you want to keep it right just back date the tax, its cheap enough being a bike!

ItsBenji90 · 3 Mar 2010 at 20:01

Thanks for the replies, I'll pop down to the post office tomorrow i think.