online tax disk renewal
Discussion
I just used this service at the weekend to renew my tax for the car. However, it will take at least 5 working days to get the new disc sent out to me in the post. Because of the bank holiday, this will mean I will not be displaying a valid disc until the 8th of the month at least.
There was no FAQ's or information on their website about what to do during this 8 day period where I will be at the mercy of her Majesty's finest tax collectors. I am also assuming that a 'disc in post sticker' will not satisfy a blood thirsty traffic warden with the bit between his/her teeth, even though I have already handed over my hard earned for that infernal piece of paper.
Is this a badly thought out piece of legislation, or would some discretion be shown?
(I'm not too worried as the car parked off street at home and work, but others could fall foul of this)
Comments ?
There was no FAQ's or information on their website about what to do during this 8 day period where I will be at the mercy of her Majesty's finest tax collectors. I am also assuming that a 'disc in post sticker' will not satisfy a blood thirsty traffic warden with the bit between his/her teeth, even though I have already handed over my hard earned for that infernal piece of paper.
Is this a badly thought out piece of legislation, or would some discretion be shown?
(I'm not too worried as the car parked off street at home and work, but others could fall foul of this)
Comments ?
Just in the same pickle - came back from time abroad to realise the trusty steed is untaxed and we can expect a fine from his Tonyness to prop up his charade of a government 
Checked the bumph that came with the renewal notice which unhelpfully states:
So there you have it - "use our new system and we can still find ways to fine you"
Checked the bumph that came with the renewal notice which unhelpfully states:
bumph said:(Their bold)
Don't forget to make your application in plenty of time, as it's an offence too keep or use on a public road a vehicle which is not displaying a valid tax disc, even if it has been relicensed
So there you have it - "use our new system and we can still find ways to fine you"
jimmyjimjim said:
I used it and the disc came WELL within the stated time. Can't remember exactly how quick it was but I was surprised. Fret ye not, forsooth.
Mine came on the 3rd working day, a friends turned up on the 2nd working day - very impressed for once with a gov't scheme.
mine arrived in 2 days as well
I didnt follow it through, but I did notice you pay a sort of handling charge for doing it on line, s;pose its something to do with paying with your card. Then again living in the city, probably cheaper than finding a parking place anyway.
Fortunately where I live, you can park outside the post office all day if you like, what joy.
Fortunately where I live, you can park outside the post office all day if you like, what joy.
The new system may not be perfect but for us poor expats its invaluable otherwise I'd always have fine notices sitting on the doormat when I return. It seems quick & efficient from when I've used it. Only trouble is I forget to switch my tax discs over when I get home, hence I spent 5 days driving around with the old tax disc on last time I was back. Fortunately nobody noticed.
vipers said:
I didnt follow it through, but I did notice you pay a sort of handling charge for doing it on line, s;pose its something to do with paying with your card. Then again living in the city, probably cheaper than finding a parking place anyway.
Fortunately where I live, you can park outside the post office all day if you like, what joy.
Only for CREDIT cards, not DEBIT cards.
petercam said:
I'm not too worried as the car parked off street at home and work
Don't you believe it.
I was reported by a traffic warden who was on foot as I drove by. She didn't stop me, but noticed I didn't have a new tax disc.
If she had stopped me, I would have shown her the letter of explanation from my local DVLA office.
She was a Low Flying Shitehawk in an earlier life.....
My wife was stopped for another reason a couple of days after taxing online.
She assumed they had stopped her for not having a valid tax disc. The BiB advised that they has already checked prior to pulling her and the car came up as correctly taxed, insured and MOT'd. They weren't bothered about the actual disc.
She assumed they had stopped her for not having a valid tax disc. The BiB advised that they has already checked prior to pulling her and the car came up as correctly taxed, insured and MOT'd. They weren't bothered about the actual disc.
zumbruk said:
Good. Perhaps then they'll realise that they should be polite and helpful to their customers.
Here Here - I buy mine online because it means I dont have to go to the local post office. I would actually prefer to buy it there as I go past every day and it saves wondering if it has got lost in the unreliable post... but last time I went I had to Queue for 21 minutes (sad I know I timed it) . Only 1 counter open, seems it takes 3 staff to man one counter. One to do the work the other two to gossip, make coffee and lounge about Grrrrr. And this wasnt the first time. I cant see any good reason to ever have to set foot in there again, everything they offer I can get online or at my local tesco :-) Close it down I say.
dickymint said:
But by taxing on-line you're doing yer local Post Office out of their jobs and commision and giving em another reason to shut them down!
My local Post Office does not do Tax Discs, so buying online saves one hell of a journey
I don't like Post Offices or real shops anyway
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