Driving without Road Tax

[loljohnson]

Hello,
I have just purchased a second hand car today which has MOT, but no road tax. I have just transferred my insurance over, but was told I need to wait 2 weeks before I can tax the car online. I had been hoping to tax it immediately as I need to use the vehicle tomorrow, but I know I can't do it at the Post Office until I receive my new Certificate of Insurance! Is there anyway round this - it's not that I'm trying to avoid purchasing tax - just that I seem unable to do so!? The destination I am driving to tomorrow has off street parking, but what are the consequences of driving the vehicle without tax?

[redcrx]

if you get caught without road tax then youd be fined and have to pay the tax back to start of the month you got the car.

ask the insurer to get the documents to you tomorrow. or perhaps ask the place you are buying from if they can get it taxed for you and charge you.

[loljohnson]

The insurers have stated they will get the documents to me as soon as possible, but the post in my area sometimes doesn't arrive til 12 - 1pm! I need to leave at 8.30am so this looks unlikely. I also asked the garage to do just that - buy the tax for me, but as they are motor traders rather than the registered keepers they don't have the necessary paperwork either. It's an annoying situation, but I thought perhaps there maybe a way to have an interim tax disc or something whilst I'm waiting for the paperwork....

[terambulan]

Y not have the docs faxed to you? Maybe through to your local shop at small charge.

[redcrx]

the post office dont accept photocopies or faxed copies anymore.

BUT some will accept a printed PDF if your insurers can email it to you, the PO wont be able to tell the difference.

Other than that youll either have to risk it or wait and collect your car when youve got the paperwork.

[sn�gged]

Need insurance document 'originals' to get road tax... I think...

[terambulan]

I've driven without road-tax due to unobtainable MOT dates. Proof of MOT appointment needed.

It is essential you are insured before driving off.

[loljohnson]

Thanks for all the advice. It looks like there is no way of getting this sorted in time. So annoying as I have tax left on my old car, but it's broken...

[jack daniels]

can't the insurers issue you with a cover note for a month or so? you can take that document, MOT & registration document to a post office and get it taxed

[Skyline D]

I think the point Jack is that the insurers are posting him the certificate (which won't arrive before he needs to drive the car). They won't be able to get him a cover note any quicker than they can get him the actual certificate. It still needs to go in the post.

I take it you can't just visit the insurer to collect it in person?

[loljohnson]

My insurance is with national company, so unlikely to have a branch near me - although I haven't checked. It's definitely too late to do anything now! Thanks for all the advice and BTW - I'm a she not a he.

[Silverclarity]

Hello
I'm in exactly the same situation. Bought a car yesterday, 12 months MOT but no tax. Changed my insurance over and got the company to fax me a cover note across. Went to the post office who wouldnt accept a faxed copy. So now I have no idea how I'm going to get to work Monday.
Dont know whether to risk it or not. Cant do anything until I get the insurance documents in the post.
I cant believe this system exists. Like you I'm no tax evader but there is just no way of paying. Surely its not unusual to buy a car with no tax!!!