Can i drive this legally?

[A.J.M]

Buying a new car this week from a private seller, the car in question has a private plate which the seller is keeping.
They have been to the local DVLA office to get it swapped off, the office say's the no longer issue new tax disc's or mot certificate's to show the car's new registration details. That need's to come from head office.
There is a likely chance the disc and paper won't be there when i go up on wednesday night.

Can i drive the car home in that condition or do i need to wait for the paperwork and disc to be present before i take it home?

[kambites]

Strictly speaking the offence is "driving without showing a valid tax disc", so to drive the car would be breaking the law. In practice, I suspect no-one will give a damn as long as it's actually taxed.

[blaineuk]

The original tax disc should still be in the car, the seller will have to forward the new MOT and disc and v5 on to you

[davepoth]

Drive a car home with no number plate, tax or MOT, and presumably no insurance? I think you know the answer. This is one of the knock-on effects of centralising the DVLA.

[tomsugden]

Won't it trigger ANPR cameras as it'll show as untaxed and no mot?

[A.J.M]

blaineuk said:

The original tax disc should still be in the car, the seller will have to forward the new MOT and disc and v5 on to you

This is the arrangement for the paperwork side, i have let my insurance company know that i'm buying the car but the reg plate is getting changed to a standard one. They are fine with it as long as i call to amend the details.

I do know of the "offence for not displaying a valid tax disc" though.

[james280779]

tomsugden said:

Won't it trigger ANPR cameras as it'll show as untaxed and no mot?

You can insure the car on the vin number - thats the important one to comply with the Road traffic Act. keep a copy on you along with the valid MOT and receipt from seller- make sure you have their phone number.
The Tax and numberplate are summary only offences and dealt with by the DVLA not the police, It will be forwarded to DVLA electronically who will note the change of keeper around the same date. They might send a letter but thats about it, they were 6 months behind with paperwork for the ten years I dealt with them.

Due to complying with the RTA, If stopped by police you are legally compliant and you do get some concessions when buying a new car.

If you do not have insurance then the police will probably seize your car.

I have stopped loads of people buying new cars and as long as they can prove it then I give benefit of doubt.

If it helps my last car was exactly the same as yours and I did what I am advising you to do.