oops, could have sworn I only paid £45

same here- except I put the scanned and laminated copy on the bike and always carry the orig with me... ......... got one nicked once and cost me £8 (from memory) to get a new one !!!

DonnieJ... you're really weird, you know that? :)

LOL I'm just about to replace my tax disc if you still need one :D

Here's how it works in the USA.....
You need your vehicle registration, that is the license plate. Registration is through the State you live in. Here in Pennsylvania it is $26 per year and you get a sticker every year that you put on the license plate so the police can see that you're current. You also need to send the state DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) proof of insurance to get your registration (most but not all states require insurance). In Pennsylvania it's a big fine if you're caught without insurance, about $400 in some areas (it's up to the county). In Philadelphia they tow your bike on the spot if you have no insurance.

The road tax is included in the fuel price. Currently fuel in Philadelphia is ~$2.80 per gallon for 87 octane. Of this $.18 is Federal tax and $.31 is State tax.

Inspection varies by state as well, several states do not require inspection but most do. Pennsylvania reguires annual inspection but I never do and I've only gotten 2 tickets for it in the 14 years I've been riding. I think it's about $30 for inspection, the fine is $30-$100 depending on the county. My Dad lives in New Jersey and there inspection is every other year. Pennsylvania also allows you to get your inspection done at private, autorized shops where as New Jersey requires all paperwork be done at state offices. For many similar reasons New Jersey is often called as the "Police State of New Jersey", "The Peoples Republic of New Jersey" or "New Jermany" :lol:

In Pennsylvania you need no license for motorcycles under 50cc's, I'm pretty sure this is the same for most/all other states. No state licenses by engine size, MC license = ride whatever you want. My first bike was a 1972 Harley 1000cc Sportster at age 17. I've never had a motorcycle license and have never gotten in any trouble over it (though I was until this year a licensed racer :D ).

Yes Northwind, I am a pHrEaK!!!! 8)

So you effectively ride an un-MOT'd bike with no licence??! Man, you would have just lit the touch paper if you lived in England! :shock: :lol: :lol:

In the USA motorcycles are seen as toys, no one takes them seriously.

I plan to get my license this year. A good firend of mine teaches a course that once passed, the state will issue you your license.

The inspection is also a joke. They check your lights, tires and brakes.... that's it! They don't even check to make sure that your lights are legal, just that you have lights. You can have some rediculously loud exhaust, oil leaks, etc.... and they'll still pass it.

Sounds fair enough to me!

Incidentally my Uncle and Aunt live in Altoona PA - he has a 1936 Chevy Business Coupe (among loads of other hotrodded cars) and that has a purple licence plate that means he never has to have it inspected - it has a 265cui V8 from a 1956 Chevy and hardly any brakes!

Altoona is ~250 miles from me, Pennsylvania is ~400 miles long.
The purple plate is "Antique". The requirements are that the vehicle be in very good condition and over 25 years old. Antique registration limits you to dy light driving only and fair weather only. These laws aren't enforced very strictly though.
I have a 1940 Dodge but I have standard registration so I'm not restricted to when I can drive it. I never inspect it either :D I did used to have a World War II fuel ration sticker in the windshield where the inspection sticker would go though :lol:

Hehe - aint that the truth, we went out in the daylight and came back in the dark and that was with basically no brakes that every time you pressed them the car swerved violently to the left! :lol: