help appreciated - tax disc!

[Nightmare]

All (and especially John if he''s around), A friend of mine has just been summonsed to court for driving without tax. He was indeed pulled on the motorway, some time ago, and his tax had expired...he says he''d totally forgotten to renew it (which is likely true seeing as he runs another car which is always taxed etc...). The DVLA didnt send a reminder (not an excuse but) The thing is, he naturally went out the next day and bought some tax, and had it backpaid to the end of the last one.... what should he do? any ideas anyone, and what will they do him for? cheers Night

[phil hill]

I seem to remember it was a £400 fine for "failure to display" a tax disc and £1000 fine for not having a tax disc. Quite what happens if you have no disc when challenged, but aquire one in the mean time, I don't know. There always used to be a few days grace at the end of the month, I have been asked to produce documents in 7 days in that situation, but I guess that depends how far out of date the previous disc was. Phil.

[nmilton]

Surely he was on his way to get an MOT so he could then get a new tax disc ??

[mel]

Only works if MOT was pre booked. Does he know anyone at a testing station ??

[Nightmare]

cheers for thoughts guys...he was pulled at 12:05 am - think the MOT excuse might be a little tricky to make stick have spoken to magistrate friend - she says that he'll likely get a standard £50 fine, + £30 court costs thats it never mind eh?

[mel]

Hey night you never know this is the 21st century its a 24hr society, if tescos was open your local tester might have been point taken

[smeagol]

RE John He hasn't posted for a while. Are you ok John?

[john robson]

Sorry been off line and very busy. It is customs and excise that prosecute for no tax we just put in the statement. usually if its just run out and you tax it imediately and pay the back tax it used to go no further, but not heard much recently. Its just a fine plus the back tax though, no points, hope that helps.

[Nightmare]

cheers John - and welcome back!