Road Fund License

[Tilly2]

We bought a new car today. It will be ready to pick up on 1st September. My current car tax disc runs out at the end of August. Will I be ok to drive to the garage in my current car, to pick up the new one on Sept. 1st?

[Tilly2]

LICENCE!

[jno]

not really. What are you doing with the old car?

[tonyav]

It won't be taxed, Tilly. It runs out at midnight on the 31st.
Anyhoo, new car !, c'mon spill.

[black_cat51]

well you need to have tax. however, you would be incredibly unlucky to get caught! How far away is the garage?

[Tilly2]

The garage is across town. The current car is being part exchanged for the new car. Can I not say it's in the post?

[tonyav]

Well I think your allowed 14 days grace, Tilly !.

[Tilly2]

What will happen if I get caught?

[black_cat51]

£80 fine i think

[Buenchico]

>>>Can I not say it's in the post?

If you were unlucky enough to get caught for not having a tax disc, it would almost certainly be because an ANPR camera had examined the DVLA database and discovered that you'd not paid for a new disc, rather than through a police officer actually looking at your windscreen. So it would be no good saying that it was in the post because it would be obvious that it couldn't be.

I'd probably chance it but , if you want to be safe, drive to the dealership on 31st August and leave your car there. Take a bus or taxi home (or get a lift or simply get fit and walk!) and do the same the following morning.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

You are only allowed 14 days to display the disc if the application was made before the old disc expires....otherwise no grace period.

[Buenchico]

>>>Well I think your allowed 14 days grace

There's a grace period for displaying a tax disc ordered online when payment for a new disc has been made before the old one expires but at no other time.

[Tilly2]

That might be the best option, Chris. What do you mean.....get fit?.....I'm fit already! Cheeky!

[askyourgran]

You need proof that you have paid for the licence for that car, to drive without the current disc. As Chris says could you take the car to the garage a day earlier to avoid any worry of being picked up.

[jno]

so you've gotta ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?

[Tilly2]

I don't like Mondays.

[Tilly2]

So, Sunday, take my car in. Monday pick up the new one. That's better than a fine.

[jno]

as long as getting back home and then back to the garage costs less than £80.

[Tilly2]

It does, jno. Shank's Pony costs nothing.

[Buenchico]

Just a thought:
You could ask the car dealer if they'll lend you a set of 'trade plates'. You could then display those on your old car when you take it in. (The tax certificate attached to the trade plates then acts as valid tax for your car).

[smoneybags]

Every time we've bought a new car, the dealers have dealt with the Road Tax.