Discussion
My 1968 Alfa is in theory now MOT exempt in addition to tax exempt but do I need to do anything ? The .gov site is showing my MOT runs out on the 27th October but I probably won't have time to get an mot anyway before I take the car off road for winter. I'd probably still go for an annual mot as a safety check and to get it on ramps etc. I can't find anything showing as to what to do next. After the 27th will it just show up as mot exempt?
My cars didn't automatically come up as exempt and I'd guess the reason is that although the car is old enough on the DVLA database you (or a previous owner) may have modified it so that it falls out of the exemption category. The DVLA might not know about such changes and hence the default is to show MoT expired rather than MoT exempt.
What I did was to re-tax the car and then you get the "declare this MoT exempt" check box coming up. No need to declare SORN beforehand, my car was already taxed and the screens did say "are you sure you need to do this ?". But carry on and the car will be re-taxed from the date you do it and also you'll have declared it as MoT exempt.
I did it just in case I got stopped and the police latched onto "MoT expired" and we ended up in a debate as to whether or not I was legal.
What I did was to re-tax the car and then you get the "declare this MoT exempt" check box coming up. No need to declare SORN beforehand, my car was already taxed and the screens did say "are you sure you need to do this ?". But carry on and the car will be re-taxed from the date you do it and also you'll have declared it as MoT exempt.
I did it just in case I got stopped and the police latched onto "MoT expired" and we ended up in a debate as to whether or not I was legal.
300bhp/ton said:
I don't think it's that difficult. So long as you've applied for a historic category logbook, you still have to "tax" it, only it costs £0.00. When you do you make the declaration of a self cert MoT or not.
I guess you could still SORN it if you wanted, but there is little point.
I've only got the standard v5 I got with the car in April, is that something I need to look into? Apologies for so many questions but unsure here.I guess you could still SORN it if you wanted, but there is little point.
200Plus Club said:
I've only got the standard v5 I got with the car in April, is that something I need to look into? Apologies for so many questions but unsure here.
lol, if only there was some easy way to search the internet for such things..... ummmm ummmmm 
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=historic+vehicle+tax
300bhp/ton said:
lol, if only there was some easy way to search the internet for such things..... ummmm ummmmm 
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=historic+vehicle+tax
I did read the dvla site before posting, its not at all clear about mot application. I wasnt looking for road tax info really. But cheers for your help. 
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=historic+vehicle+tax
200Plus Club said:
I did read the dvla site before posting, its not at all clear about mot application. I wasnt looking for road tax info really. But cheers for your help.
Well it seems clear. You've never been able to tax a car without a valid MoT, so it's all linked.If your car is MoT exempt, you declare this at the point of taxing it.
300bhp/ton said:
Well it seems clear. You've never been able to tax a car without a valid MoT, so it's all linked.
If your car is MoT exempt, you declare this at the point of taxing it.
I've never needed to tax it. It's tax exempt. At this present time it's showing it's not mot exempt I guess as it's saying it runs out this weekend. If your car is MoT exempt, you declare this at the point of taxing it.
200Plus Club said:
I've never needed to tax it. It's tax exempt.
Woah, hold on...You do need to tax it, and that tax still expires annually. It's just that that's free of charge. You still need to go through the exact same tax or SORN as any other car, and if it's taxed without insurance, you're in trouble, same as if it's "unlicenced" (neither taxed nor SORN)
As far as MOT goes, once it hits 40yrs and isn't modified, you don't need an MOT. End of. You can let it expire, without needing to tick any boxes or SORN then re-tax. You simply can't be done for not having a ticket.
mph said:
That's not right, you still have to tax it or SORN it. If you haven't done either you're currently illegal.
My bad for not being clear, I know I have to renew it as such in March 2019 when it's showing due, I mean it's free to do so and I don't pay. The MOT question is what is bothering me, showing due this weekend you see. I won't have time to do anything so will let it ride. The car is as far as I know perfectly legit to comply with not being major changed in drivetrain or layout so I would plan to get an mot check eventually purely for my own benefit if I wish to. My query is do I need to submit the form v112 or just let it lapse.
To clear up one point, there is the DVLA which deals with road tax, and then there is the DVSA which deals with the MOT. Even if your car is over forty years old if you do an MOT check you will get a big warning in red saying you could be fined up to £1,000. Since neither of the departments are into joined-up writing yet please ignore this red banner sign. It's just that they haven't got around to altering their web site yet,
lowdrag said:
To clear up one point, there is the DVLA which deals with road tax, and then there is the DVSA which deals with the MOT. Even if your car is over forty years old if you do an MOT check you will get a big warning in red saying you could be fined up to £1,000. Since neither of the departments are into joined-up writing yet please ignore this red banner sign. It's just that they haven't got around to altering their web site yet,
:-) Do the police rely on this incorrect info though and are you liable for a tug and hassle explaining I wonder?
Edited by 200Plus Club on Wednesday 24th October 06:16
200Plus Club said:
:-)
Do the police rely on this incorrect info though and are you liable for a tug and hassle explaining I wonder?
I really can't answer your question, but this year I drove one of my cars over 300 miles and had not one problem at all. I had cancelled the tax, then renewed it ticking the box to say it qualified as MOT exempt, and hey presto it was taxed. The law is clear - it is only the minds of the civil sevants that are obscured. As far as the BiB are concerned I really can't see how they can argue. But to be sure, I suggest you download, then print, a copy of the form V112 and refer to paragraph "r". Then you can produce that if stopped - which I consider most unlikely.Do the police rely on this incorrect info though and are you liable for a tug and hassle explaining I wonder?
Edited by 200Plus Club on Wednesday 24th October 06:16
Back in September I 'licensed' a Chevrolet pick-up 1977, first time since the exemption applied to it. Filled in a V112 and took it to the Post Office.
They'd never seen one before but after a light hearted haggle they accepted the form and filled in the tax application there and then on whatever system they are required to do. "That's all legal then." said the clerk but no paper was exchanged. DVLA database now shows the truck as taxed historic and MOT exempt.
They'd never seen one before but after a light hearted haggle they accepted the form and filled in the tax application there and then on whatever system they are required to do. "That's all legal then." said the clerk but no paper was exchanged. DVLA database now shows the truck as taxed historic and MOT exempt.
I have been less lucky. DVLA have asked for 14 photos, sent an inspector, asked for more photos, and then asked for more photos. They won't say what they are specifically looking for but I have told them I will mot the car to help satisfy them.
The car is my mk1 Mexico that has been a historic race car in recent years and pre sorn. It must have raised a red flag so they are doing their job in this instance.
The car is my mk1 Mexico that has been a historic race car in recent years and pre sorn. It must have raised a red flag so they are doing their job in this instance.
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