Unmanned ANPR cameras and untaxed cars

[DaineseMan]

I was surprised to realise today that my car tax expired on 1st June 2014, having been mistaken that I had another 6 months to go. I guess I've got used to relying on those postal reminders, and unfortunately for some reason it didn't come on this occasion.
I had the car taxed today at the Post Office, which was as soon as I realised.
During the past 9 days while the car was untaxed, I have been driving around Manchester, including in the city centre. I remember seeing ANPR police cars, and in retrospect, I'm surprised that I didn't get pulled.
However, does anyone know how those unmanned ANPR CCTV systems work?
Is it likely that I'll get a penalty in the post?
If so, what is are the typical consequences?
Thanks

[TooMany2cvs]

DaineseMan said:

However, does anyone know how those unmanned ANPR CCTV systems work?
Is it likely that I'll get a penalty in the post?

From personal experience, you'll get a letter threatening you, but if you've already taxed it, that'll be the last you hear.

[Isysman]

I work abroad so my car is often SORNed. Once when I just got home I taxed my car and drove out that day. A few days/week (can't remember) later I had a letter saying that a camera had seen my car and no tax was in record. As I knew it had tax now I just binned it and never heard anything. Interestingly the letter said I may or may not be prosecuted. But I never heard anything after this letter.

[anonymous-user]

That bit of paper in the windscreen that said May 2014 was a bit of a clue. perhaps?

Pedantry corner: No tax disc has ever expired on any 1 June ever, so far as I am aware.

[tribbles]

Last year I took my untaxed, un-MOT'd kit car (but insured) on its 60 mile yearly pilgrimage to its pre-booked MOT. Upon passing, I went back home, got in my other car and then went to the post office to tax it.

A couple of weeks later, I got a letter in the post dated a week after my trip with big letters saying that I'd been a naughty boy driving an untaxed car on the road - but if I'd paid the tax before the end of the month, then nothing would be done.

Since I don't like to leave things open, I wrote back stating that I'd been going for a pre-booked MOT and that I had taxed it in the afternoon. I also offered to optimise their SQL queries since their system obviously couldn't cope with someone paying their tax before the date of their letter, so perhaps the queries were taking more than a week to come back.

I got back an answer saying that the case was dropped.

But they didn't take me up on my offer though

So - you should be fine.

[catso]

A couple of years ago I forgot to tax my Motorbike. I hadn't received the reminder and it was off the road anyway as the engine was being rebuilt. Anyway as soon as I realised that I had forgotten, I got straight onto the DVLA website and taxed it.

I then received an email telling me that I had committed an offence and that their 'compliance' team would be contacting me. Shortly afterwards I received an £80 fine.

I hadn't used the vehicle on the road so, one would think that if caught on the road the penalty would be higher?

[FuryExocet]

I work on ANPR and trust me, we go out of our way to avoid no tax alarms, far more interesting alarms going through, than worrying about your tax!

ANPR does far more than tax and insurance, I just wish more people realised that. We recover more stolen vehicles and arrest more people than most other teams!

[DaineseMan]

Interesting info, thanks for sharing!

[AB Car Pix]

FuryExocet said:

I work on ANPR and trust me, we go out of our way to avoid no tax alarms, far more interesting alarms going through, than worrying about your tax!

ANPR does far more than tax and insurance, I just wish more people realised that. We recover more stolen vehicles and arrest more people than most other teams!

Is it true that only very recently MOTs have become automatic alerts on ANPR?
I was always under the impression that they weren't. I would imagine that the number of pulls would be unmanageable if every MOT expired car was flagged up!

[Jim1556]

tribbles said:

Last year I took my untaxed, un-MOT'd kit car (but insured) on its 60 mile yearly pilgrimage to its pre-booked MOT. Upon passing, I went back home, got in my other car and then went to the post office to tax it.

I remember when I was getting my Kitcar through the SVA process - it failed the first one which I trailered it to and drove back from, on a few minor items (edges needing trim etc), part of the failure notice contained instructions stating the legal position of how to proceed. Basically, as long as it was insured and ONLY being driven to a pre booked place of work for rectification, it didn't need tax or an MOT...

So, pre booked some work (and a brew) at the business that'd helped with the build. On the way back home, a T5 traffic car happened to stop behind me on busy a roundabout - one got out, ran up to the side of me and asked where my reg plate was? My 'It doesn't need one yet' response was met with 'Where's your bloody tax disc?', I had my helmet on at the time and traffic around us started moving so he directed me to the next exit where there was a convenient parking area.

Jumped out, explained the situation, showed him my insurance and offered to ring the place I'd just left so they could confirm my story but he seemed happy enough and sent me on my way...

I did think at the time that Traffic bods should really know this kind of thing, but was thankful they were nice blokes once they realised I was ok and above board.

Point is, and it applies to SORNed vehicles as well, it DOES NOT need to be taxed to be driven to an MOT testing station or where work applicable to an MOT is going to be carried out. AS LONG AS it's insured, and the appointment is pre booked!