Car not registered for over a year-advice anyone??

[soir]

Friend of mine bought a car (£20k) last year from a sole trader - had many problems with this trader, but ended up with the car.

Trader said car's private plates will be removed (after buying the car) and he will sort out the V5 and register in my friends name. Therefore trader will register for him etc..

Friend forgot about this, assuming all was done. Went to tax the car at weekend to find car not even registered in his name (previous owner still reg).He spoke to DVLA who said send in V62 form with green slip (done) but will take 3-5 weeks for him to receive the V5 doc - cannot get it taxed until then. He works far away in the sticks & will lose his job (no public transport to there) so he will have to risk driving it - anyone know the penalty for not having a tax disk? (would local PC let him off, if explains & shows all documents etc..)??

Also, anyway he can check if any speeding offences pending for him? (DVLA said only shows on their records 90% of the time)??

Thanks all

[parrot of doom]

Can he not take it personally to the DVLA and pay them for the disc on the day, like a passport?

[kevinday]

I'm a bit mystified. What tax disk was in the car for the last x months? If it was the disk with the 'old' personal number plate it is rather obvious that the change of registration cannot have taken place, this disk would be surrendered at the time of change of registration mark.

Also what number plates are on the car?