Legal to drive to get a tax disc?

[Jasp]

Tax runs out 1st June but i can't get the car in for MOT till after then, pretty confident im covered driving the car to MOT but not away, just wondering if im covered if i drive the car from the MOT station to post office to get the tax, don't think so but thought i'd check.

As per normal can't get through to DVLA and their website is pants lol.

[kalniel]

Yes, but literally only to get the disc.

This happens when you buy a car too - often have to drive it to the postie. Keep your docs with you.

[Hicks12]

As kalniel says, you can but you must take the shortest route as your not allowed to take a detour e.g. turn off into a supermarket for a quick shop then onward to the post office. As long as you head as quick as possible to the place, your fine.

[Guy]

Really?

I'm pretty sure thats a myth, I'm sure/almost 100% positive its illegal to drive to the post office/DVLA office to get the car tax, regardless of the circumstances. If the car is untaxed then tough, no if's no buts.

If the tax has been paid for online you have a 5 day grace period in which you don't have to display the new disk, whilst you wait for it to turn up in the post. After that, and if the car has been taxed after it has been SORN'd then its still an offence to not display a valid tax disk.

The only time you are allowed to legally drive the car without valid tax, is when the car is booked in for an MOT, and then it has to be driven straight to the test centre, and on the day of the test as well.

[dave87]

Yup, that was my understanding too.

How long a walk is it/can you not get a Taxi? Gotta be cheaper than a FPN for no tax....

[finlay666]

The only time you are allowed to legally drive the car without valid tax, is when the car is booked in for an MOT, and then it has to be driven straight to the test centre, and on the day of the test as well.

I thought this

And it's only if you have an MOT booked not a "turn up and we'll look at it when we can" MOT

[TAKTAK]

"The only time you can drive a car without valid tax is if you are unable to renew your tax because your MOT has run out. Then you can drive your car to a pre-booked MOT test."

Read more: Road Tax, MOT, Insurance - What to Remember if You Own a Car
http://www.whatprice.co.uk

[Guy]

Yup, that was my understanding too.

How long a walk is it/can you not get a Taxi? Gotta be cheaper than a FPN for no tax....

FPN, and more than likely the car being clamped/towed away and impounded, then crushed if not claimed within 14 days.

If its too far to walk from the MOT station, taxi, or a friend or family to give you a lift there and back?

I thought this

And it's only if you have an MOT booked not a "turn up and we'll look at it when we can" MOT

Yeah, forgot to say that, has to be a 'pre' booked appointment, and whilst there is no ruling on distance, if stopped it is up to the Police/VOSA's discression as to if your taking the P or not.

[kalniel]

Really?

I'm pretty sure thats a myth, I'm sure/almost 100% positive its illegal to drive to the post office/DVLA office to get the car tax, regardless of the circumstances. If the car is untaxed then tough, no if's no buts.

I see :/ dealer told me wrong then. Not sure how they'd cope otherwise - car supermarket in the middle of nowhere. Trade in your car, get stuck with untaxed car :/

[Jasp]

Think the best bet then is to get it MOT'd then walk and get the tax.

Cheers for the responses.

[dave87]

I see :/ dealer told me wrong then. Not sure how they'd cope otherwise - car supermarket in the middle of nowhere. Trade in your car, get stuck with untaxed car :/

Dealers have access to Trade Plates which they Tax & Insure - but can be used in any vehicle, as long as it is in connection with the business (so no personal runs etc) - and they could then drive the vehicle to get it taxed

[eshrules]

I see :/ dealer told me wrong then. Not sure how they'd cope otherwise - car supermarket in the middle of nowhere. Trade in your car, get stuck with untaxed car :/

this is why most people (without sounding sarky) get the dealer to tax the vehicle for them.

I'm with Dave and Rasta on this one - if you've got no tax, you got no wheels, there's no exception to the rule apart from MOT'ing it, although I do wonder why you'd leave the MOT so late to be done.

You could, of course, tax the car online - instant cover and there's a grace period (5 days) from taxing to receiving the disc itself.

[scaryjim]

FPN, and more than likely the car being clamped ...

This. It's not big, it's not clever, and it's not cheap

[Jasp]

this is why most people (without sounding sarky) get the dealer to tax the vehicle for them.

I'm with Dave and Rasta on this one - if you've got no tax, you got no wheels, there's no exception to the rule apart from MOT'ing it, although I do wonder why you'd leave the MOT so late to be done.

You could, of course, tax the car online - instant cover and there's a grace period (5 days) from taxing to receiving the disc itself.

It expires at 12pm tonight but for whatever reason it won't let me tax it online, guessing its already been removed from their system.

Yes stupidily knew it was near but only just got around to finding the V5 to check it and found out then.

I'd never knowingly drive without tax or mot as either one invalidates my insurance and i would never forgive myself if i hit anyone or anything happened, it was more a can i question rather then im going to lol.

[GoNz0]

you cant get tax online if anything runs out within the month

[Jasp]

you cant get tax online if anything runs out within the month

Ah that explains it then, not good since both my MOT and Tax are in the same month lol.