Can I live outside the law driving a non-UK registered car?
Discussion
So if I re-register my car in another EU country where I have a holiday home, which I can do, would that exempt me from UK Speed cameras, congestion charges, future spy in the car black box technology etc? It appears I only need to drive back to the country of registration for their equivalent of the MOT test once a year and I'm laughing. Where's the catch?
I had this situation some years ago for some years. I would have paid, but they didn't send me the tickets for speeding and false parking 
The catch is that the unification of the EU started with giving all the freedom first, and now closes these "loopholes" (not exactly, but more like a field not covered by bureaucracy) by organising fines and points in a central authority or better cooperarion between the countries DVLAs
The catch is that the unification of the EU started with giving all the freedom first, and now closes these "loopholes" (not exactly, but more like a field not covered by bureaucracy) by organising fines and points in a central authority or better cooperarion between the countries DVLAs
Great! I'm looking forward to my annual drive to Majorca and back to keep on the right side of the Majorcan authorities, but apart from that, the DVLA and Big Brother can get stuffed! Even if they tighten things up eventually, I'm sure one of those tin-pot new EU members run by gypsies will be flexible on the rule of law.
A friend of mine lives in France and the ex-Pats do it the other way round. UK registered cars that, in theory, come over to the UK once a year for MoT and to buy a tax disc (Legal to use in any country provided it is legal in it's country of registration). In practice, most never leave France and are running around with no MoT or tax and insured with a French insurance company. This has backfired recently with the insurance company refusing to pay out on an accident involving a UK registered but untested, untaxed car.
However, the ones that are legit can carry on. Parking and speeding tickets can then be ignored unless you get pulled at the roadside. In that case, if it is a speed trap, production of a UK licence means an on-the-spot fine only.
However, the ones that are legit can carry on. Parking and speeding tickets can then be ignored unless you get pulled at the roadside. In that case, if it is a speed trap, production of a UK licence means an on-the-spot fine only.
ProPlus said:
Believe the big round up of offences across all countries in the EU starts in 2008/9, then it will appear on your home country licence.
Do you know how I can I check the accuracy of that story? It's disappointing if true, but then again it might come to nothing for years. Or maybe we could get a million people to sign a Euro on-line waste-paper basket like the one Downing Street use for selective consultation and dismissal.
[quote=who me ?]Given the upsurge in east european plates, wouldn't be surprised if there's an underground black market in cloned plates for these - only time you'd be in danger is if you were pulled by traffic car( and i'm rapidly expecting to see a photo on here lest we forget)
[/quote]
Bit obvious if you've got Polish / Latvian /Russian / Whatever plates on a right hooker though!
[/quote] Bit obvious if you've got Polish / Latvian /Russian / Whatever plates on a right hooker though!
Fat Richie said:
[quote=who me ?]Given the upsurge in east european plates, wouldn't be surprised if there's an underground black market in cloned plates for these - only time you'd be in danger is if you were pulled by traffic car( and i'm rapidly expecting to see a photo on here lest we forget)
Bit obvious if you've got Polish / Latvian /Russian / Whatever plates on a right hooker though!
[/quote] What's to stop someone sending in their Registration document saying they've sold the car (to a mysterious person that doesn't exist) and filling in the second part themselves under the guise of said person?
nobleguy said:
Fat Richie said:
[quote=who me ?]Given the upsurge in east european plates, wouldn't be surprised if there's an underground black market in cloned plates for these - only time you'd be in danger is if you were pulled by traffic car( and i'm rapidly expecting to see a photo on here lest we forget)
Bit obvious if you've got Polish / Latvian /Russian / Whatever plates on a right hooker though!
What's to stop someone sending in their Registration document saying they've sold the car (to a mysterious person that doesn't exist) and filling in the second part themselves under the guise of said person?[/quote]
I suppose there's no end to methods of evasion if you get into full-blown deception, but I posed the original question with a view to finding out if there was a legal loophole. To summarise what I think has been said so far; there currently does appear to be a legitimate method of avoiding conviction for minor motor offences such as speeding and parking, provided you legally register your car in another country. There also seems to be a view that this will be coming to an end for EU registered vehicles at some point in the future, in which case it may not be the best avoidance for pay-per-mile road charging schemes. In the meantime.....
Fat Richie said:
[quote=who me ?]Given the upsurge in east european plates, wouldn't be surprised if there's an underground black market in cloned plates for these - only time you'd be in danger is if you were pulled by traffic car( and i'm rapidly expecting to see a photo on here lest we forget)
Bit obvious if you've got Polish / Latvian /Russian / Whatever plates on a right hooker though!
[/quote] Anyone going to Ireland anytime soon?!?
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