Road tax renewal grrrr!

Off I go to the post office today to get a nice new tax disc, only to find when I got there that I'd taken my new insurance cert which doesn't actually start until the 4th July, d'oh!

Now I know I'm a bit of a nob for not taking the right one, but the only reason I was going to the PO in the first place was that I was worried the tax disc wouldn't arrive in time if I bought it on t'internet (I would have done it sooner but had to wait until pay-day). Surely the PO should be able to look up the same details as when you phone / use the website and then they'd be able to see it was insured & MOT'd?? I'd love to know why they can't, what a stupid system!

Anyway, I got home and now can't find my old insurance cert (it's here somewhere, but my 'filing system' is erratic at best!). So, I've done it online. If the tax disc doesn't arrive by Tuesday though I'll be riding around displaying an expired tax disc.

</rant>

getting mine tomoz

its ok.. I went to tax catherines car and forgot the MOT and insurance, cause i thought they were clever and actually cold check this stuff digitally..

nope that would be online only then.....

Originally Posted by El Saxo

If the tax disc doesn't arrive by Tuesday though I'll be riding around displaying an expired tax disc.

I don't see that as a problem TBH.

1 - ANPR cameras will scan you & see the valid (even if not yet arrived) tax.
2 - Any coppers you get that stop you will generally* understand that it's in the post. Yes, you're committing an offence, but they'll check your details & verify you're telling the truth. Maybe a little telling off but nothing more I reckon.

Your only real problem will be traffic wardens etc, who may just see the bike parked up with an old disc, and earn some points.

* generally, because from my experience that's what happens. It's not worth the paperwork - unless you get one of the a**ehole ones.

I bought my disc online took about 3 days to arrive and I'm still not displaying it... Might fit it today before I go out...

Originally Posted by Baph

I don't see that as a problem TBH.

1 - ANPR cameras will scan you & see the valid (even if not yet arrived) tax.
2 - Any coppers you get that stop you will generally* understand that it's in the post. Yes, you're committing an offence, but they'll check your details & verify you're telling the truth. Maybe a little telling off but nothing more I reckon.

Your only real problem will be traffic wardens etc, who may just see the bike parked up with an old disc, and earn some points.

* generally, because from my experience that's what happens. It's not worth the paperwork - unless you get one of the a**ehole ones.

That's another thing, surely the offence of 'failure to display' is irrelevant these days because of the electronic checks that can be done. As long as you get some kind of confirmation (i.e. a letter / receipt) from the DVLA that tax has been paid for that vehicle, then you could always produce it at the local nick if the Police needed you to e.g. if your bike triggers a 'false hit' on the ANPR for whatever reason. It works well enough with MOT and insurance docs so why not with road tax as well?

My bike is now taxed again and has a new MOT.
Warning thought.I had an accident in my van and the third party insurance sent out an inspector.Did he look at the damage?No
All he did was photograph the tax disc and the four tyres.He said he knew the van was taxed,but if it was not on display then they would NOT pay out.

Originally Posted by gid

He said he knew the van was taxed,but if it was not on display then they would NOT pay out.

That makes sense, as it's illegal for you to be on the road without displaying a valid tax disc.

[ethariel]

I stopped displaying a real in date tax disc after the 3rd one and numberplate was nicked off my bike, carry the real one in a pocket now and never had any hassle off a coper after a stop.

[Bluepete]

There is nothing the Cops can do until the tax is more than 28 days out of date. Online checks take about 30 seconds to do over the radio.