Car tax date

[texol]

My car tax is due on the first of Feb, but i go abroad on the twenty second of Jan and do not return until the tenth of Feb. Its not worth teling the DVLA of a SORN as i will want to drive the vehicle as soon as i return (it is stored in a garage while im away). Would i be fined for non payment of car tax or do the DVLA still have a little leway in cases like this (in the old days you were permitted fourteen days). I will of course be taxing the car as soon as i return.

[Grunty]

I contacted DVLA a couple of months ago because I would be unable to tax the car at the correct time. I was told that as I would be doing so within the 14 day period, there was no need to make a SORN declaration. I should say that I have also known different employees give different answers to the same question. I therefore recommend that you ring them yourself on the enquiry number rather than take my word for it. 0870 240 0010.

[Grunty]

I have just noticed that you go away 9 days before the licence is due. You can relicense it 14 days ahead, so you could do it before you go.

[Buenchico]

If you don't tax the car until 10th Feb, it's extremely unlikely that the automatic system for sending out fines would cut in before you paid. If, however, you were unfortunate enough to be caught by one of the roadside detector systems driving from your garage to the nearest post office, you wouldn't have any defence.

In practice, it shouldn't be a problem anyway. Your tax renewal notification should arrive within the next week or so. This will leave you plenty of time to tax the car before you go abroad. (The expiry date of the new tax disc will still be the same either way).

Chris

[texol]

Thanxs guys for all your answers. really fast cheers

[Loosehead]

As grunty says, with a DVLA renewal you can tax it up to 14 days in advance. Sorted!

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Just to add.

If you have the new owners docs then you dont need the notification to arrive within the 14 days. Simply take it to the PO with your MOT (if applicable) and insurance and they can tax it.

I never use the reminder nowadays, just the log book, you will see there is a bar code on the foot of the docs and thats all you need.

[woolleysheep]

when taxing my car i was informed it can now be done on the internet.

[Toureman]

If your car is not taxed or sorned DVLA computers will automaticaly send you a fine.