Discussion
as i own and drive a left hand drive car I have the tax disc for it at the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger side, have been told this is illegal as apparently it must be displayed on the bottom left of the front windscreen to be visable for traffic wardens or something,now considering it takes seconds for a bib to check if a car is taxed/mot'd and insured,is it illegal to have it on bottom right or must it go bottom left?
Bottom left it is
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/TaxationClasses/DG_10030643
(half way down page)
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/TaxationClasses/DG_10030643
(half way down page)
This is one of the stupidities that UK motoring law throws up.
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
rs1952 said:
This is one of the stupidities that UK motoring law throws up.
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
It's vitally important BECAUSE it IS legislation - doesn't need any other reason
Trouble is, with the inaccuracy of the current databases we, the motorist, need some proof we have paid our dues.
BB
BigBob said:
rs1952 said:
This is one of the stupidities that UK motoring law throws up.
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
It's vitally important BECAUSE it IS legislation - doesn't need any other reason
Trouble is, with the inaccuracy of the current databases we, the motorist, need some proof we have paid our dues.
And you think some stroppy copper will give a toss once his computer terminal's told him you have no tax?
If I remember correctly from studying for promotion exams, it is not necessarily an offence to display a VEL in a given part of the windscreen.
DVD will know the definitive answer, but I believe the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act states a VEL should be visible from the nearside.
Interpret that as you will...
ETA - I've found a bit of the legislation:
Other offences relating to licences
Not exhibiting licence.
33.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road a vehicle in respect of which vehicle excise duty is chargeable, and
(b) there is not fixed to and exhibited on the vehicle in the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State a licence for, or in respect of, the vehicle which is for the time being in force.
DVD will know the definitive answer, but I believe the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act states a VEL should be visible from the nearside.
Interpret that as you will...
ETA - I've found a bit of the legislation:
Other offences relating to licences
Not exhibiting licence.
33.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road a vehicle in respect of which vehicle excise duty is chargeable, and
(b) there is not fixed to and exhibited on the vehicle in the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State a licence for, or in respect of, the vehicle which is for the time being in force.
Edited by xxplod on Friday 6th April 22:04
xxplod said:
ETA - I've found a bit of the legislation:
Other offences relating to licences
Not exhibiting licence.
33.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road a vehicle in respect of which vehicle excise duty is chargeable, and
(b) there is not fixed to and exhibited on the vehicle in the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State a licence for, or in respect of, the vehicle which is for the time being in force.
Other offences relating to licences
Not exhibiting licence.
33.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road a vehicle in respect of which vehicle excise duty is chargeable, and
(b) there is not fixed to and exhibited on the vehicle in the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State a licence for, or in respect of, the vehicle which is for the time being in force.
Hmmm, so then if it only applies to "chargeable" VED, what about Historic tax, for which there is no charge? (Dons parachute, waits for DVD or Von to shoot him down in flames
) 33(1A) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road an exempt vehicle,
(b) the vehicle is one in respect of which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in force, and
(c) a current nil licence for that vehicle is not fixed to and exhibited on it in the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
It's Regulation 6 The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 that determines the manner in which licences must be displayed.
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.
6(5) In each case referred to in paragraph (4), the licence shall be so exhibited that all the particulars on the licence are clearly visible in daylight from the near side of the road.
(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road an exempt vehicle,
(b) the vehicle is one in respect of which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in force, and
(c) a current nil licence for that vehicle is not fixed to and exhibited on it in the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
It's Regulation 6 The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 that determines the manner in which licences must be displayed.
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.
6(5) In each case referred to in paragraph (4), the licence shall be so exhibited that all the particulars on the licence are clearly visible in daylight from the near side of the road.
Edited by vonhosen on Saturday 7th April 00:21
zumbruk said:
BigBob said:
rs1952 said:
This is one of the stupidities that UK motoring law throws up.
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
We have had the PNC for some time - now we have ANPR. It now takes no time at all for BIB or anybody else with an offical interest to find out whether a vehicle is taxed - the disc is therefore, in truth, now something of an arcane irrelevance.
Nevertheless, we can still be prosecuted for failing to display or, even more stupidly, displaying in the wrong place on the windscreen
Von will no doubt be along in a minute to tell us how vitally important this piece of legislation is
It's vitally important BECAUSE it IS legislation - doesn't need any other reason
Trouble is, with the inaccuracy of the current databases we, the motorist, need some proof we have paid our dues.
And you think some stroppy copper will give a toss once his computer terminal's told him you have no tax?
TBF, that may be the case with insurance where the trend is towards laser printed Certificate's of Insurance (my broker prints mine out) which could either be forged quite easily or obtained by only making a 'down payment'.
Don't think it's quite the same with VED disk - a lot more difficult (though not impossible) to forge.
BB
vonhosen said:
It's Regulation 6 The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 that determines the manner in which licences must be displayed.
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.
6(5) In each case referred to in paragraph (4), the licence shall be so exhibited that all the particulars on the licence are clearly visible in daylight from the near side of the road.
In all those cases I've highlighted, the reference is to the "near side of the [vehicle]. The question arises therefore, on a LHD vehicle, is the 'near side' the right-hand side, or the side nearest to the kerb in the UK? - Streaky 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.
6(5) In each case referred to in paragraph (4), the licence shall be so exhibited that all the particulars on the licence are clearly visible in daylight from the near side of the road.
streaky said:
vonhosen said:
It's Regulation 6 The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 that determines the manner in which licences must be displayed.
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.
6(5) In each case referred to in paragraph (4), the licence shall be so exhibited that all the particulars on the licence are clearly visible in daylight from the near side of the road.
In all those cases I've highlighted, the reference is to the "near side of the [vehicle]. The question arises therefore, on a LHD vehicle, is the 'near side' the right-hand side, or the side nearest to the kerb in the UK? - Streaky 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.
6(5) In each case referred to in paragraph (4), the licence shall be so exhibited that all the particulars on the licence are clearly visible in daylight from the near side of the road.
Think the term near side always refers to the right hand side of the vehicle as you view it from the front.
Think the term was originally used to describe the sides of a horse when the terms left and right perhaps weren't so widely understood. The 'Near' side being the side you always mounted from. IIRC the only exceptions to this practice were some, if not all, the native Americans who mounted from the right hand or Off-side of their horses.
BB
Has this rule changed? I was stationed in England in '94-'96 with my US LHD car. I seem to recall at that time the tax disc was supposed to be on the opposite side from the driver. Presumably so as not to inhibit the driver's line of sight. I'm back again, and now it is on my driver's side.
Honestly, if you position the disc correctly and don't use one of those gargantuan holders with extra advertising attached it has no impact on visibility while driving.
Honestly, if you position the disc correctly and don't use one of those gargantuan holders with extra advertising attached it has no impact on visibility while driving.
vonhosen said:
The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 that determines the manner in which licences must be displayed.
6(4) The licence shall be exhibited on the vehicle - ....
....(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
6(4) The licence shall be exhibited on the vehicle - ....
....(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
This seems to be the regulation covering my cars (each has such a windscreen), but is there further clarification? What is the 'nearside of the windscreen', exactly? Is is the nearside edge? Or the entire half of the windscreen that constitutes its nearside? And what does 'adjacent' mean in this context? Does it mean the disc could be in a holder at the nearside edge, as sometimes seen in buses, or could it be mounted, say, on the offside part of the windscreen, immediately adjacent the nearside (assuming 'nearside' means one entire half of the screen), eg. adjacent the rear view mirror on the offside?
FWIW my assumption has always been nearside edge; I've always displayed it in the bottom nearside corner.
Cider Andy said:
streaky said:
The question arises therefore, on a LHD vehicle, is the 'near side' the right-hand side, or the side nearest to the kerb in the UK?
Nearside is the side nearest the kerb, irrespective of whether the car is RHD or LHD.
So .. am on pay/display area of a local Northern market town. I can park on one side of this road Monday/Wednesday/Friday ... und on the other side on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday. (Can use both sides on Sunday
) Now given this circumstance .. there can be days when a car's passenger side with not be at the kerbside
und the driver's side will be by the kerb in the parking bay area. The VED would then not be easy visible to the warden who would have to walk to the side with the passing cars to check in such an instance 
Does this mean I would have to shunt the VED accordingly und the holders are not that "sticky" if you keep peeling them und resticking
freedman said:
Why does anyone have any problem displaying their Disc as prescibed in the regulations?
Its always been that way so whats the problem?
With the new technology it may seem pointless but its hardly an onerous or difficult task is it?
Its always been that way so whats the problem?
With the new technology it may seem pointless but its hardly an onerous or difficult task is it?
Sorry, but you are completely missing the point of this forum. Our raison d'etre is to find some contradiction or seeming irregularity in legislation/court decisions/BIB statements and pick it to pieces and then do the whole thing twice over for latecomers. If you are looking for starightforward pragmatism then try the BBC site or similar.
Quote,
Wildcat
"The VED would then not be easy visible to the warden who would have to walk to the side with the passing cars to check in such an instance "
Wildie - you mean you have wardens - heard tell that in the darkest depths of the midlands that we are about to get one per town - "to cure parking problems " - police suggest that the Government be asked to look at ways of financing more from fines - ring any bells anyone.
Wildcat
"The VED would then not be easy visible to the warden who would have to walk to the side with the passing cars to check in such an instance "
Wildie - you mean you have wardens - heard tell that in the darkest depths of the midlands that we are about to get one per town - "to cure parking problems " - police suggest that the Government be asked to look at ways of financing more from fines - ring any bells anyone.
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