Displaying tax disc

[mandat]

I've just received my new tax disc for the bike (bought online) and am laminating it so that it can go in my bike jacket pocket, together with the tax discs for the past four years.

I know that the maximum penalty for failure to display the said tax disc is £200, as it says so on the paperwork that the disc is printed on, however what is the legal definition of "display"?

I always have the tax disc in my pocket when I am riding the bike, therefore if I am ever stopped I will be able to show and display the valid tax to the BIB on the spot. Is there any legal definition of "Display"that the BIB will get me on, as the disc is not physically fixed to the bike itself?

[motorwise]

I think it has to be displayed on the vehicle itself - I'm sure someone will know

[vonhosen]

Regulation 6 of The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 covers how a VEL is to be displayed. Your description doesn't satisfy it.

With regards location of VEL

6(4) The licence shall be exhibited on the vehicle -

(a) in the case of an invalid vehicle, motor tricycle or bicycle, other than in a case specified in sub-paragraph (b) or (c) of this paragraph, on the near side of the vehicle;
(b) in the case of a motor bicycle drawing a side-car or to which a side-car is attached, on the near side of the handlebars of the bicycle or on the near side of the side-car;
(c) in the case of any vehicle fitted with a glass windscreen in front of the driver extending across the vehicle to its near side, on or adjacent to the near side of the windscreen;
(d) in the case of any other vehicle -

(i) if the vehicle is fitted with a driver's cab containing a near side window, on that window; or
(ii) on the near side of the vehicle in front of the driver's seat and not less than 760 mm and not more than 1.8 metres above the surface of the road.

Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 25th February 23:15

[greysquirrel]

why dont you want to fix it to the bike?

[mandat]

Thanks Von, I thought that there would be a specific regulation.

[mandat]

greysquirrel said:

why dont you want to fix it to the bike?

I had a tax disc stolen off the bike about 4 years ago, which caused some damage when they ripped the "tamperproof" holder from the bike. I then had to pay £7.00 for a replacement disc from the DVLA. I was therefore out of pocket and with a damaged bike, while some scrote continued his nefarious and illegal activities, using my tax disc.

[greysquirrel]

one does wonder then if a police officer would actually do anything. I know lots of bikers who dont display for this reason. As long as you are not parking it up in a public place then dont see why producing it from your pocket if stopped would be so bad, although as above, technically wrong.