Obtaining road tax....

[Toaster Pilot]

Has anyone else noticed that it's ridiculously easy to tax a car now?

Went to tax a car I have in stock (I do a bit of trading here and there) so I can run around in it. It is currently SORN, not with trade yet (only bought it on Saturday) and isn't on the MID. Has a valid MOT.

Went along to the local Post Office, documents in hand expecting the Third Degree due to having a trade policy, different name on the V5 etc etc. Guy didn't ask for/look at the insurance or MOT and only asked whether the address on the V5 was current as it was a long way away!

[Dr Interceptor]

Motorists no longer need to show their insurance certificate when taxing a car.... that came in during December 2013.

Likewise when buying a new car, one ball ache used to be that you had to send your dealer the insurance docs so they could tax it for you - but not any more. The dealer doesn't even need to see your insurance before letting you drive off the forecourt.

[Toaster Pilot]

I thought that only applied (for getting tax) if the vehicle was on the MID? (makes sense to check insurance and MOT electronically if the ability is there)

[confused_buyer]

Toaster Pilot said:

I thought that only applied (for getting tax) if the vehicle was on the MID? (makes sense to check insurance and MOT electronically if the ability is there)

No insurance check at all now.

[Toaster Pilot]

Wow, I guess they think they'll catch people out with the system that sends out the Continuous Insurance Enforcement letters then?

[confused_buyer]

Toaster Pilot said:

Wow, I guess they think they'll catch people out with the system that sends out the Continuous Insurance Enforcement letters then?

I think the issue was that anyone who wanted to tax a car could obtain temporary insurance to do and then cancel anyway so didn't really deter people who were not going to insure a car.

[thebigmacmoomin]

When I taxed my M3 back in December '13, the lady in the Post Office was happy to see my car insurance proof off my phone rather than a piece of paper. I was expecting hassle that I didnt have it printed out.