DISAPPEARING TAX DISCS - DID YOU KNOW?

[Tony Fearn]

This morning I was surprised to see an article about vehicle tax discs.
I must say, I had not heard that they were to disappear from windscreens, and apparently I'm one of 42% of respondents to a recent wide poll who also didn't know.
This made me feel a little better as I'm certainly not alone.
I haven't been on the DVLA website as yet, but I thought I'd share this with you all:-

Tony.

[Keith Clements]

Too much time down the garage! They have not really been used for a couple of years. I doubt if anybody has been prosecuted for not having one lately. Wardens and police type number into system to see if taxed, insured or stolen. Number plate recognition on road cameras and in police vehicles does the same automatically.
Counterfeit plates (which have got through the loose security system) and foreign plates are not covered. Just like people taking dead people's identity, it is extremely important to make sure the DVLA know a car is scrapped. Do not just give to the scrap man, if you are the registered keeper.

We have thousands of Polish cars among other foreign plates in my area. I wonder how many of them are taxed? I guess soon we will have a Europe wide system.

[Jack]

We have thousands of Polish cars among other foreign plates in my area. I wonder how many of them are taxed? I guess soon we will have a Europe wide system.

By your area, do you mean Greater London? There aren't thousands of polish cars in Kings Langley. All the Polish guys I worked with in Hemel had UK cars, because the amount of hassle you get from ANPR cars isn't worth it.

Given that one in fifteen UK cars isn't taxed (and presumably isn't insured either) I'd be more worried about all those cars that look legit but aren't.

A friend of mine was hanging onto an early 90s car waiting for the tax to be exempt, not knowing that the 25 year rule was scrapped years ago!

On the plus side if the tax disc is disappearing hopefully this means we can all put our original tax discs back in the cars to help people to see what year they were made, without the 2014 disc sticking out next to it like a sore thumb.

[Nick Webster]

Too much time down the garage! They have not really been used for a couple of years. I doubt if anybody has been prosecuted for not having one lately.

I think you might underestimate the enthusiasm for the authorities to generate money if they can! This change came about at the last Budget statement. Shortly afterwards I read that discs purchased with an expiry date after the scheme comes into effect this October should continue to be on display until they are no longer valid and only then can you have a naked screen. A curious ruling but I suppose one which means that the "disc must be visible" law does not have to be changed just for a transition period. Under the circumstances I tend to agree that prosecutions are unlikely during this time, but it will be interesting to see if this oddity is included with reminders which will undoubtedly accompany the start of the new procedure.

Slightly more concerning is the fact that tax will not be transferable with the sale of a vehicle. Leaving aside the obvious revenue potential for HMG, this will apply to historics too, for although the tax costs nothing, technically tax applies. Therefore, on purchase of a new classic, the owner will have to remember to tax it straight away. We should keep our eyes open for information regarding ways this can be done and (it occurs to me) possible changes to registration documents.

Nick

[Tony Fearn]

Here's the rest of the article:-

(Click on scan then Control and + or ++ or +++ will enlarge it.)
Tony.

[Nick Webster]

Thanks for this, Tony. I see the article actually mentions destroying the disc as of October 1st, so if they are right that means someone must have changed their mind since the announcement. I distinctly remember the continuation of display being mentioned at the time, but I had been unable to find any reference to it recently.

"Tax the car before you drive it home" might be a problem under some circumstances. Have to phone DVLA in the same way as one might phone the insurance broker I suppose.

Nick

[AlanBartlett]

Well this has me a little confused, As I was under the impression that when the new law came into effect, it wouldn't actually affect me too much, until I would have renew when the current tax disc expires, and I would simply renew without the disc. But having read Tonys article, I have today just renewed the tax on the Jowett, Does that mean that on Oct 1st, I should discard the disc and have to then re apply for the tax again? How would I do that without a valid reminder form, would I then have to dig out the v5 and tax again?

Does this mean drivers whos tax runs over the the oct 1st implementation, that they will now also have to re apply for tax?

[Keith Clements]

Alan,
You do not need to renew on Oct 1st.
I would not discard tax disc until it expires, just in case some jobs worth interprets the law differently.
Bear in mind that what you read in the newspaper and hear on the news is only someone's interpretation of the words in a complex law written in lawyer and policy-maker speak unintelligible to us humans.

[TedAllen]

Someone on another forum I use recommended this guy

http://www.poplargreg.com/

I got a replica 1952 disc for the Javelin. Reg no, make,model and colour written in beautifully. £7.00 for 3 copies. I opted to pay another £4.00 to have the correct date and licensing authority on the stamp. The back is correct as well. Further copies free with a SAE.

Well, didn't want to chuck my original bakelite Alf Thomas holder !