Just got nabbed for no car tax - anyone else had this?

[fbloke]

Bought a car on Tuesday, been waiting for the insurance certificate to come through so I could go and get the tax disc. I thought "it'll only be a few days, so it won't matter if I drive around". Wrong.  The DVLA now have camera cars to nick you if you have no tax - I drove straight past one this morning. The insurance certificate has now come through so I will get my tax tomorrow.

1. Will they still do me even if I purchase tax as at 1.11.09 to retrospectively cover the duty?
2. This is my first tax offence (I have three points for speeding three years ago) - will they be lenient?  The full penalty is "up to £ 1000".  Will I be able to pay less as I'm a reasonably well behaved citizen generally?
3. Is there any reasoning with these people, or are they cold-hearted b'stards?

[dave_mc]

you normally have a couple of weeks' grace, I think. At least, that's what my dad told me, as my insurance is always up on the same date as my tax etc.

but obviously check it out more thoroughly than my say so. :)

[Jonny]

You shouldn't've drove.

[38thBeatle]

I think they may do you.I believe the offence is "failing to display" a tax disc so even if you buy one effective from 1st November, I would say hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

As for penalty, I don't know. I hope they make allowances for the circumstances. There is a difference between those in your position and those who systematically try to dodge the system and cause us all more expense.

[Plexi Ken]

As above, I think you'll get points and a fine. As you were driving an untaxed car, it also cancels out your insurance. There is leniency but I think that only applies when you have paid the tax (online) but not received the disc.

[tomjackson]

You shouldn't've drove.

That's not very helpful, he's already done it now :?

Fbloke, you will probably get a fine, I doubt it will be much.  I think I got a £50 fine a few years ago for a similar thing.  No points though. There are far more serious offences and it sounds like your first Tax offence.

Talking about tax offences the government have recently changed the recommended milage rate for company car owners, 3 years ago it was 12p per mile, then it went up to 15p, now it's gone to 10p per mile so it actually costs me to do business miles

[dave_mc]

There is leniency but I think that only applies when you have paid the tax (online) but not received the disc.

ah, that might be what my dad meant. it also might be slightly different in northern ireland.

[Will]

Principally you shouldn't be raped too hard.  But... you know its the innocent mistakes that they get people for, and (travelling community pour example) those that knowingly do it get away free

[fbloke]

Thanks to everyone for your replies, really helpful, including "you shouldn't have drove"! Sometimes we need the bleedin' obvious re-inforced in plain language to stop us being tw@ts at a future date.

Tom, thanks for sharing your experience - a £ 50 fine and a "don't do it again, you knob" would be a fair cop, I'll take that on the chin if that's what they hand me down.  Sorry to hear about the business miles, that sucks.  I used to do 10-15k a year and it would have gutted me to lose money on it.  Don't even get me started on this government and new indirect taxes.  We get shafted in this country but we often don't realise just how much. 

[keith]

 Dont wish to be harsh but ........just as well you didnt have an accident and someone got killed.

[fbloke]

Dont wish to be harsh but ........just as well you didnt have an accident and someone got killed.

To what extent does the absence of a tax disc put other road users in danger of death?

[MisterMuncher]

None at all, but it invalidates your insurance.

[CaptainDesslock]

The DVLA now have camera cars to nick you if you have no tax - I drove straight past one this morning. The insurance certificate has now come through so I will get my tax tomorrow.

F-U-C-K the "big brother" government out to get you

[shobet]

The DVLA now have camera cars to nick you if you have no tax - I drove straight past one this morning. The insurance certificate has now come through so I will get my tax tomorrow.

F-U-C-K the "big brother" government out to get you

I'd rather they did that an caught the tax dodgers, as most of the time I be the ####!!s don't have insurance anyway.

Was fbloke an idiot for driving without a tax disk, yes. Was there any malice behind his act, I doubt it. However that doesn't change the fact that if anything had happened you would really have been up shite creek.

I don't know what they will fine you. I believe they can take the car away from you as well. Fingers crossed for you, but most of all I hope you've learned not to do it again. ;)

[38thBeatle]

I just wish the DVLA would catch more of those who systematically drive without tax/insurance.  They catch far more now than they used to but they only seem to catch the formally legit drivers who make a mistake. Those will malicious intent don't even appear on the system or will have left enough false trails for them to avoid getting punished. By definition a difficult situation to address.