Foreign Registered Cars In The Uk

[Iggle Piggle]

I thought the rule was that a car on foreign plates could only be used in the UK for 6 months then either return to the country of registration or be registered here. Maybe I am out of date with legislation or the system has gone to cr4p.

[Zacs-Master]

Seems you're right ingle but it would also seem that the DVLA and police are a bit powerless to intervene
http://www.weeklygripe.co.uk/a456.asp

[Buenchico]

An overseas-registered car can be used in the UK for longer than 6 months if the owner remains normally-resident outside of the UK and is here for a defined period of time. (e.g. an overesas student on a 3 year course or a worker here for a 2-year contract period). All that is necessary is to apply to HMRC for Customs Relief.

[Hymie]

Of course, the owner of the foreign vehicle need only take a day trip to France, and the 6 month clock is reset to zero.

[EDDIE51]

I know that several Polish people in my area just drive back home twice a year ,retax the car and drive back. Not just Polish I also know a German who does the same.

[Buenchico]

With regard to Hymie & Eddies posts, if there's no exemption (as in my post) then the '6-month rule' only applies while the person is not normally resident in the UK.

If, for example, someone comes here from France or Poland and sets up home here (selling their overseas home, or allowing the tenancy to end, and moving all of their family and possessions into their UK home) they must immediately register and tax their car as a UK vehicle, even if it's only a week after their arrival. (i.e. the 6-month rule ceases to apply at the point where they become normally resident in this country, so going back briefly to their home country or taking a day trip abroad WON'T restart the clock)

[boxtops]

Might be the rule, Chris, but it doesn't happen in fact. There's a car on Lithuanian plates in our street - we know they live here.

[EDDIE51]

The manager of the care home up the road is Lithuanian , she and her Lithuanian registered car have been here years.

[Iggle Piggle]

Well it looks like the authorities are powerless, these foreign-registered cars are ghosts on our own roads. Lets hope they have insurance and that it is valid.

I may buy one ! That way I'll skip taxing it, not worry about speeding fines, park where the hell I like and forget the London congestion charge ...

[tamborine]

Oh dear Methyl - boys and their toys, lol