UK car tax needed for use abroad?

[fergus]

Not sure if this is a stupid question. If I only drive my car on either UK tracks or abroad (e.g. the 'Ring), then do I need UK car tax? The car is fully insured and MOT'd. Where would I stand if I had an accident with a 3rd party abroad if I had no tax?

[Joe911]

My understanding is that if you have no tax then you are uninsured.

[pdV6]

Joe911 said:

My understanding is that if you have no tax then you are uninsured.

Don't know about that - its a separate issue.

However, I think most Eu countries allow you to drive on their roads provided you have all the correct paperwork to be legal in your own country, so you'll need valid UK road tax. Whether they'd notice or not is also a different kettle of fish.

I presume you're talking about driving the car over rather than trailering it to the track? (And even so, bear in mind that the 'Ring is actually a public toll road, not necessarily[*] a race track.)


[*] Check your insurance to see what your particular insurer thinks of the 'Ring.

[fergus]

pdV6 said:

I presume you're talking about driving the car over rather than trailering it to the track? (And even so, bear in mind that the 'Ring is actually a public toll road, not necessarily[*] a race track.) [*] Check your insurance to see what your particular insurer thinks of the 'Ring.

Currently trailer the car over there. Happy about the legal status of the 'Ring. All insurers are bound under EU law to provide 3rd party cover what ever they try and say. It's only a Caterham, so the chance of a total write off is (hopefully) fairly small, and the associated cost of any rebuild also fairly small. Can't quite see why my car needs a payment to UK C&E to drive on non UK owned roads though!!

[ean218]

fergus said:

Can't quite see why my car needs a payment to UK C&E to drive on non UK owned roads though!!

It is a reciprocity thing. If you had a German car in Germany you would comply with all the relevant German tax rules. As a foreigner, the Germans will let you use their roads without paying their taxes, on the understanding that you are fully complying with your duties at home.

Seems fair to me. If you feel bad about giving the money to HM C&E, just get the car licensed, taxed and insured in Germany!

(None of the above would apply if it was a completely private track of course)

[ec1 eex]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the toll charges in France akin to their road tax? I don't seem to recall my UK tax disc getting me any kind of discount.

[CraigAlsop]

Can't you tax it before you go, and then get a partial tax refund when you get back (less a month)?
Or something.....

[matchless]

juat ignore the Eu rules as they do NOT apply here in England!(according to our Monarch Queen Elizabeth the 2nd)re Coronation Oath 1953

[jaybkay]

I suspect the answer is yes and no. No doubt if you contact the authorities they will say you do need UK tax to drive abroad - but it will not be an offence NOT to have it if you aren't on UK roads. The UK police cannot enforce the law abroad, and the other countries can't enforce the law as you aren't breaking any. As long as the wheels never touch UK tarmac I would leave it SORNed. One good trick would be to "export" it, export papers are issued which you could carry with you. When going abroad you are exporting the vehicle, when coming back you are reimporting it. (don't forget to keep a notified copy of the original V5C). If/when it needed to go back on UK roads simply produce the export documents as the new owner abroad decided he didn't want it after all.
To get rid of the UK plates obtain a pair from another country, just make sure the car never goes there, and stick them on.