One day of Road Tax

[Dyl]

I have bought a used car and had originally intended to pick it up today, however, due to various circumstances it is now a collection of next Saturday 1st March. However, I have just remembered that the tax on my car (which I am trading in) runs out on Friday(!)

Is the only solution to buy a tax disc and refund on 1st March, losing out on a sixth/twelfth of the RFL amount? Or if I return the disc on the 1st will I receive a refund including the premium for March?

Edited by Dyl on Saturday 22 February 17:40

[Toaster Pilot]

Is it from a main dealer? I was given a courtesy car for a day in this circumstance

[Dyl]

Sorry, shouldn't have written 'new' car, especially with it being new-reg day! (OP edited)

It is used, and it is ready from Monday, but work commitments mean I can't collect until Saturday.

[Easternlight]

If its not too far away, take your old car in on the Friday and get the Dealer, Bus, Bike or a friend to get you home, then the same to get back on the Sat. Or maybe they would deliver to you?

[Toaster Pilot]

Still worth asking the trader if you can borrow a car for a day to stay legal (or risk driving without tax which I wouldn't advise)

Edit - see you have other commitments, never mind.

You'd lose a months tax as far as I know.

[Dyl]

It's a 50 mile journey to the dealer - along the M77, a favourite haunt of Police Scotland - so there is no way I'd risk driving untaxed.

And, though a good suggestion Easternlight, I think the distance is a bit too much to ask a friend to make two round trips.

I think the easiest method will be taking the hit on the RFL renewal. It probably won't even arrive by the time I make the journey

[caymanbill]

whats so bad about driving for a day without tax? (apart from it being illegal) insurance implications?

[joebongo]

What time is shift change?

[Bill]

I'd take the chance depending on how much it is. 1/12 of £30 isn't worth the (tiny) risk, 1/12 of £400 is.

[Dyl]

As far as I know, failure to display a valid tax disc is an offence with minimum £1000 fine, plus it invalidates your insurance should I be unlucky enough to have an accident on the journey to the dealer.

For all of the risks involved, losing the cost of one month seems a small price to pay.

[HumbleJim]

Dyl said:

, plus it invalidates your insurance should I be unlucky enough to have an accident on the journey to the dealer.

.

Who said that?

[Dyl]

Bill said:

I'd take the chance depending on how much it is. 1/12 of £30 isn't worth the (tiny) risk, 1/12 of £400 is.

Its only £105, or £9. I was just wondering if anyone had ever refunded their tax on the 1st of the month, seems like this isn't the case. Oh well, suck it up and pay up is the way to go.

[Bill]

Dyl said:

As far as I know, failure to display a valid tax disc is an offence with minimum £1000 fine, plus it invalidates your insurance should I be unlucky enough to have an accident on the journey to the dealer.

Neither of those is correct.

[curlie467]

Don't know if it's different in Scotland but it is a £200 pound fine in England.

[Dyl]

HumbleJim said:

Who said that?

I was under the impression that a car had to have a valid MOT and road tax (or SORN'd) in order to be insured. Is this not the case?

Bill said:

Neither of those is correct.

Seems I have massively misunderstood the situation! For all the hassle, I prefer an easy life and will just renew the tax.

[Benj1984]

It doesn't invalidate your insurance.

[HumbleJim]

Go on live life on the edge..........................

[Bill]

Dyl said:

Seems I have massively misunderstood the situation! For all the hassle, I prefer an easy life and will just renew the tax.

I take the view that it'd be a very harsh cop who did you on the first of the month and for all the hassle of taxing it and getting the refund I wouldn't bother.

[bullitinhead]

For one day on a saturday ,I would risk it, if stopped appologise and say youve got it planned in to do on monday. Busy life just slipped your mind until you got in to drive.


Bullit

[Benj1984]

Though I have done it in the past, I wouldn't risk it these days. In this age of ANPR, it's likely you'll get caught. I'm not sure how much the fine is though.