FOreign car in UK
Discussion
Advice needed please, I have a neighbour who has an address in Belgium but he resides in the UK working on a contract.
The car in question has been in the UK for several months and I have been helping him get the car repaired and fixed up like new.
Its a VW Toureg W12, so not made for the UK market. Its a 2008 model.
The owner / neighbour regularly returns to Belgium.
I am concerned about driving this car in the UK, I obviously have my own insurance that enables me to legally drive another vehicle 3rd party.
Does this car have to be registered as a UK car, and therefore does it end up with a UK reg plate ?
Secondly I am thinking the MOT must be expired and what happens with road tax ?
What happens with the registration when the car returns to Belgium ?
I am certain my neighbour is not intentionally avoiding costs (Premiership Footballer) but may be ignorant of the law in the Uk.
I would really appreciate some advice on this please.
The car in question has been in the UK for several months and I have been helping him get the car repaired and fixed up like new.
Its a VW Toureg W12, so not made for the UK market. Its a 2008 model.
The owner / neighbour regularly returns to Belgium.
I am concerned about driving this car in the UK, I obviously have my own insurance that enables me to legally drive another vehicle 3rd party.
Does this car have to be registered as a UK car, and therefore does it end up with a UK reg plate ?
Secondly I am thinking the MOT must be expired and what happens with road tax ?
What happens with the registration when the car returns to Belgium ?
I am certain my neighbour is not intentionally avoiding costs (Premiership Footballer) but may be ignorant of the law in the Uk.
I would really appreciate some advice on this please.
Basically,as your neighbour is a resident within the uk,they need to register and tax it as a uk vehicle.It can be seized and the owner will have to pay a surety to have it released,where again it then needs to be registered and taxed.
From what you've mentioned,the criteria that your neighbour falls foul of:
Vehicle registered in another EU/EEA state (e.g. is displaying a foreign reg)
The vehicle has been in the United Kingdom for more than 8 months in any 12 month period; or the keeper is resident in the UK
The keeper is not in the UK for a set study or work period.
The vehicle is not being used in a commercial capacity. (Commercially used foreign registered vehicles are also exempt.)
I don't know the ins and outs of your neighbours circumstances,but hopefully this helps...
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/219722/resp...
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/219722/resp...
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/...
From what you've mentioned,the criteria that your neighbour falls foul of:
Vehicle registered in another EU/EEA state (e.g. is displaying a foreign reg)
The vehicle has been in the United Kingdom for more than 8 months in any 12 month period; or the keeper is resident in the UK
The keeper is not in the UK for a set study or work period.
The vehicle is not being used in a commercial capacity. (Commercially used foreign registered vehicles are also exempt.)
I don't know the ins and outs of your neighbours circumstances,but hopefully this helps...
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/219722/resp...
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/219722/resp...
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/...
Edited by Billyray911 on Thursday 8th October 21:46
Your neighbour may be living here temporarily but still actually still a belgium "resident".
From what the OP says he could be on a defined contract period, therefore, if he keeps his car 100% legal in Belgium it could all be above board, i'm not sure about belgium rules but in France the Controle technique is every two years.
From what the OP says he could be on a defined contract period, therefore, if he keeps his car 100% legal in Belgium it could all be above board, i'm not sure about belgium rules but in France the Controle technique is every two years.
Marcellus said:
Your neighbour may be living here temporarily but still actually still a belgium "resident".
But the OP's question was about driving the car himself - and the answer, legally, is no, since he's definitely a UK resident.Roo said:
Why do you need/want to drive it?
Are you sure this is the right site for you? I can't stand stuff like Toerags - but I wouldn't mind a crack in a W12...My understanding is that he is living in rented accommodation, is in the UK working on a footballing contract, he has a house in Belgium where his wife and kids reside.
His contracts run for 12 months at a time, but they are never permanent contracts. Its football.
I will check that he has the Belgian MOT and Insurance for the UK.
Why do I want to drive it ? errrrrrrrrr I have no idea........
The answer to these questions is not just about myself, yes I want to be legal, but the owner needs to know he is legal too.
The challenge is to get the message across to him as I can just about order basic food in His native tongue (French)...
His contracts run for 12 months at a time, but they are never permanent contracts. Its football.
I will check that he has the Belgian MOT and Insurance for the UK.
Why do I want to drive it ? errrrrrrrrr I have no idea........
The answer to these questions is not just about myself, yes I want to be legal, but the owner needs to know he is legal too.
The challenge is to get the message across to him as I can just about order basic food in His native tongue (French)...
Edited by Zippyworld on Friday 9th October 07:31
Zippyworld said:
I am concerned about driving this car in the UK, I obviously have my own insurance that enables me to legally drive another vehicle 3rd party.
Some DOC extensions state UK registered cars only, and some don't. Check. If your neighbour is Eden Hazard, tell him to get his f
king arse into gear. He's been crap this season, and it's costing us big time!Ps. Just seen you're in Cheshire. If it's Marian Fellani, run over his foot for me.
TooMany2cvs said:
Marcellus said:
Your neighbour may be living here temporarily but still actually still a belgium "resident".
But the OP's question was about driving the car himself - and the answer, legally, is no, since he's definitely a UK resident.No, part of his question was about him driving it the other was about the legality of the car;
Zippyworld said:
Does this car have to be registered as a UK car, and therefore does it end up with a UK reg plate ?
Secondly I am thinking the MOT must be expired and what happens with road tax ?
What happens with the registration when the car returns to Belgium ?
Secondly I am thinking the MOT must be expired and what happens with road tax ?
What happens with the registration when the car returns to Belgium ?
If the OP has insurance to drive the car and the car is EU legal then there's no issue.
I say this as I had a French Registered car, when I was a French Resident, on French Plates and Fully compliant with French Law.
I moved back to the UK for 3 months and UK residents could legally drive the car as under French Insurance the car is insured not the person for anywhere in the EU.
With regard to the Footballer, I suspect he's still a Belgium "resident" and takes the car back when he needs to to revalidate his MOT.
He's on a fixed term temporary contract so I suspect if there were an issue he could argue that.
I say this as I had a French Registered car, when I was a French Resident, on French Plates and Fully compliant with French Law.
I moved back to the UK for 3 months and UK residents could legally drive the car as under French Insurance the car is insured not the person for anywhere in the EU.
With regard to the Footballer, I suspect he's still a Belgium "resident" and takes the car back when he needs to to revalidate his MOT.
He's on a fixed term temporary contract so I suspect if there were an issue he could argue that.
Edited by Marcellus on Friday 9th October 08:29
TooMany2cvs said:
Marcellus said:
I moved back to the UK for 3 months and UK residents could legally drive the car as under French Insurance the car is insured not the person for anywhere in the EU.
They were insured for it. Doesn't mean they can legally drive it.TooMany2cvs said:
They were insured for it. Doesn't mean they can legally drive it.
OK, for the avoidance of doubt; A UK resident can legally drive a Foreign registered vehicle provided the Foreign registered vehicle can legally be driven in the UK and the UK resident driver has the appropriate licence and insurance cover.The problem comes when a UK Resident wants to OWN a Foreign Registered vehicle and drive it in the UK!
In Belgium, insurance is for the car, not the driver, so anyone can drive the car (subject to having the right licence).
You should maybe bear in mind that it is not standard to have more than 3rd party cover on cars which are over 4 years old (most insurance companies), and that an excess of the first €500 of any claim applies to drivers under 25 years of age.
You should maybe bear in mind that it is not standard to have more than 3rd party cover on cars which are over 4 years old (most insurance companies), and that an excess of the first €500 of any claim applies to drivers under 25 years of age.
Zippyworld said:
Why do I want to drive it ? errrrrrrrrr I have no idea........
Sorry if thus is a parrot moment but if you are not going to be driving it - its not your problem. Youve told him about being legit to drive here so......Edited by Zippyworld on Friday 9th October 07:31
ffs its not even that special car. Why take the risk on your own head by driving it if it is not legit in the UK. How the fek do you know its legit in his home country? seen the documents? understand them?
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Some DOC extensions state UK registered cars only, and some don't. Check.
If your neighbour is Eden Hazard, tell him to get his fking arse into gear. He's been crap this season, and it's costing us big time!
Ps. Just seen you're in Cheshire. If it's Marian Fellani, run over his foot for me.
The only one thats not been crap was the Doctor, and the Special One let her go......all very funny thoughIf your neighbour is Eden Hazard, tell him to get his f
king arse into gear. He's been crap this season, and it's costing us big time!Ps. Just seen you're in Cheshire. If it's Marian Fellani, run over his foot for me.
superlightr said:
Zippyworld said:
Why do I want to drive it ? errrrrrrrrr I have no idea........
Sorry if thus is a parrot moment but if you are not going to be driving it - its not your problem. Youve told him about being legit to drive here so......Edited by Zippyworld on Friday 9th October 07:31
ffs its not even that special car. Why take the risk on your own head by driving it if it is not legit in the UK. How the fek do you know its legit in his home country? seen the documents? understand them?
I will check the documents that he has with regards conformity to Belgian law and the ensure I am coveted to drive.
That will be one issue out of the way
Marcellus said:
TooMany2cvs said:
They were insured for it. Doesn't mean they can legally drive it.
OK, for the avoidance of doubt; A UK resident can legally drive a Foreign registered vehicle provided the Foreign registered vehicle can legally be driven in the UK and the UK resident driver has the appropriate licence and insurance cover.The problem comes when a UK Resident wants to OWN a Foreign Registered vehicle and drive it in the UK!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
We had a good chat before on the topic
I recall the summary was something like its technically illegal but not enforceable as its EU and UK law rubbish
We had a good chat before on the topic
I recall the summary was something like its technically illegal but not enforceable as its EU and UK law rubbish
krallicious said:
The law regarding this is very grey. If stopped, then it would be up to the attending officer's interpretation of the law which could lead to a bit of a ball ache. As long as the car is not owned by the resident, then there should be no problem but it depends how lucky you are with the stop. All a bit silly really.
I've been stopped in the UK (twice) when driving a frog registered car and admittedly there was a little head scratching as I produced;- Le carte gris
- Le Certificate de conformite
- l'attestation d'insurance
- carte vitale
- and UK issued drivers licence
However, both times even though the officers couldn't understand the words they accepted that the Carte Vitale was sufficient proof that I wasn't a UK resident.
Converservely when stopped in a Frog car for speeding in France and produced the same les flics said I was an etranger so made me pay the fine on the spot!
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