Recent changes to car tax query

[JB8]

A few months ago the rules for taxing cars changed, as I understand an insurance check is no longer required. This is now certainly the case when taxing on line, I taxed a car on line just before Christmas and no MID check was carried out, and the car was only insured the same day also.

But my question is, do you still need insurance certificate when taxing at the post office?

The Gov website states that you don't, but the post office website says you do. Anyone able to clarify the rules?

Scenario in mind is selling a car that is currently uninsured and SORN'd, and taxing it on day of sale for new owner, I tax it, they insure it, they drive away legal.

Gov Website said:

Take the following to any Post Office that issues tax discs:

• Completed V11 reminder
• MOT test certificate if required (must be valid when the tax disc starts)
• The payment shown on the reminder

Post Office Website said:

Yes you will need to bring in your vehicle registration document (V5C) and your insurance documentation and MOT/GVT/PSVC if required both of which need to be valid for the date the tax disc is to commence.

[Terminator X]

I tax my car in the PO and was asked for insurance details. Was pre Xmas though. You sure about no MID check online as that doesn't sound right?

TX.

[Krikkit]

Taxed a car on xmas eve at a tiny local PO and wasn't asked for proof of insurance. She did enter all the car details into the computer, so I assume they performed a MID check.

[JB8]

Terminator X said:

I tax my car in the PO and was asked for insurance details. Was pre Xmas though. You sure about no MID check online as that doesn't sound right?

TX.

It's a fairly recent change but I'm pretty sure no more MID checks for taxing on line, found this source.

I insured a car on Sunday 22nd December over the phone, then a few minutes later taxed it on line no problem. I'm pretty sure the MID couldn't have been updated that quickly, especially on a Sunday.

Question is, does the same apply to post offices?

[confused_buyer]

There are no MID checks at a post office.

[Krikkit]

confused_buyer said:

There are no MID checks at a post office.

Thanks, in which case they're not checking any more!

[TooMany2cvs]

You seem to be forgetting one small detail. If your car isn't on MID, it needs to be SORNed - else you will get an automatic fine through for breaching the CIE regs.

[confused_buyer]

TooMany2cvs said:

You seem to be forgetting one small detail. If your car isn't on MID, it needs to be SORNed - else you will get an automatic fine through for breaching the CIE regs.

They won't instantly fine you if you tax it and it isn't immediately on MID. As long as it appears within a reasonable time you'll be fine.

MID is by no means "real time" and with some insurance companies still relies on someone manually updating it.

[Terminator X]

Krikkit said:

confused_buyer said:

There are no MID checks at a post office.

Thanks, in which case they're not checking any more!

Afaik they never did a MID check, they just checked the paper copy of your insurance when you were there or do you mean they no longer check the paper copy? If not how do they know the car is insured?

TX.

[confused_buyer]

Terminator X said:

Afaik they never did a MID check, they just checked the paper copy of your insurance when you were there or do you mean they no longer check the paper copy? If not how do they know the car is insured?

TX.

They don't check it because they no longer need to know if the car is insured.