car tax

[ashleyvictor]

My car tax expires on the 31 May 2006 i have taxed my car on monday night over the phone however my new disc has not arrived yet. Do i have to wait for my new tax disc to arrive before i can drive my car again ?

[dot.hawkes]

It is illegal to be on the road without displaying a valid licence

[bobtheturkey]

no as long as you have applied its fine

[dot.hawkes]

so why is it illegal to be on the road without displaying a valid licence Bob?

[bobtheturkey]

ive been doing it for years dorothy i always apply at last minute :)

[dot.hawkes]

living on the edge eh?

[purpose]

It will be fine to drive ashleyvictor - *if* you get stopped, you simply explain the situation. If you are legit, you should have no probs at all.

Both myself and several friends have been in this situation. Got stopped - explained - no problems.

[gessoo]

No problems at all. The police can check with the DVLC if they are in doubt.

[kempie]

Computerisation of vehicle licensing, or 'Continuous Licensing' as the DVLA call it, has clouded the issue somewhat.

This new (January 2004) system means that if the database shows you have not renewed your VED or declared SORN after 28 days of the last licence expiring you will be liable to an automatic �80 fine.

However there is also an entirely seperate offence of "failure to display a valid road licence" under Section 33 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, which is an offence of strict liability. This means that you cannot legally drive your car without a current tax disc affixed to it unless the following exemptions apply:

• Going to a test centre for a pre-booked MOT, stipulating the time and date


• On an MOT test


• After failing an MOT test, for the purpose of taking the vehicle to a pre-booked appointment at a garage to have the faults rectified.