Road Tax Question
Discussion
I have just bought a new car (new to me), at the end of september with both the MOT and Tax running out end of sept/start of oct. I went along to get the MOT done, and unfortunately it failed on something rather major (which BMW are thankfully sorting out for free so no issue there)
Now obviously without an MOT I cant get any road tax. I called the DVLA to explain my situation to them, and that I need to be able to drive the car to get it to BMW for inspection, and to book it in etc.
The DVLA told me there is nothing they can do apart from declare it off road as I shouldnt be driving it without valid tax, which I cannot get without a valid MOT.
I am trying to get it booked in for the work as soon as possible with BMW, but I don't think it is going to be possible before the 14 days grace the chap at the DVLA told me I had before I would have to declare it SORN.
I'm a decent guy, trying to get this problem sorted asap, I want to pay my tax, i'm not trying to avoid anything but it seems I am left with two choices, either a) driving it without tax for which I will be fined or b) declaring it SORN and then driving it for which again I will probably be fined.
I asked what would happen if BMW drove it on the road after it was booked in, even if i told them not to and he told me I could also be fined for that! It doesn't seem I can really win on this one.
Any ideas?
Now obviously without an MOT I cant get any road tax. I called the DVLA to explain my situation to them, and that I need to be able to drive the car to get it to BMW for inspection, and to book it in etc.
The DVLA told me there is nothing they can do apart from declare it off road as I shouldnt be driving it without valid tax, which I cannot get without a valid MOT.
I am trying to get it booked in for the work as soon as possible with BMW, but I don't think it is going to be possible before the 14 days grace the chap at the DVLA told me I had before I would have to declare it SORN.
I'm a decent guy, trying to get this problem sorted asap, I want to pay my tax, i'm not trying to avoid anything but it seems I am left with two choices, either a) driving it without tax for which I will be fined or b) declaring it SORN and then driving it for which again I will probably be fined.
I asked what would happen if BMW drove it on the road after it was booked in, even if i told them not to and he told me I could also be fined for that! It doesn't seem I can really win on this one.
Any ideas?
soprano said:
Plotloss said:
The auto fines dont get generated for at least 14 days following the tax expiration...
That gives me until this sunday, chances of booking it in with BMW before then are pretty slim I think 
you could also try booking an MOT at BMW at the same time so if you were stopped you would be legal as you are driving to a MOT test.
First of all, there is no 14 days grace, that stopped a few years ago. they may not trigger the automatic response until after that, but if caught on the road without tax on the 1st of the month, you're committing an offence.
(I've no doubt DVD or similar will correct me if I'm wrong, but 99% sure that I'm not)
Now I think there is a clause (but this time I'm not too sure!) were you can take a vehicle to a "local" garage (NO diversions to Tesco or the Newsagent, and it could even be the nearest speciallist if reasonably local) for work to be done prior to an MOT, providing it's booked in first.
You most certainly can drive it to a garage for a pre-booked MOT test without tax. So you could book it in with the BMW garage for the work to be done, then get them to MOT it as well. Even if they need to drive it on the road between garages, they can use Trade plates to cover.
Having dealt with the DVLA, don't believe a word they say, most of the time they don't know their arse from their elbow! If you're still ubsure, go to your local police station, ask to speak with someone from Traffic, and get their advice (also note their collar number, so you can refer to it should you get stopped by some wooden-top)
(I've no doubt DVD or similar will correct me if I'm wrong, but 99% sure that I'm not)
Now I think there is a clause (but this time I'm not too sure!) were you can take a vehicle to a "local" garage (NO diversions to Tesco or the Newsagent, and it could even be the nearest speciallist if reasonably local) for work to be done prior to an MOT, providing it's booked in first.
You most certainly can drive it to a garage for a pre-booked MOT test without tax. So you could book it in with the BMW garage for the work to be done, then get them to MOT it as well. Even if they need to drive it on the road between garages, they can use Trade plates to cover.
Having dealt with the DVLA, don't believe a word they say, most of the time they don't know their arse from their elbow! If you're still ubsure, go to your local police station, ask to speak with someone from Traffic, and get their advice (also note their collar number, so you can refer to it should you get stopped by some wooden-top)
Chrispy Porker said:
Option 3
Get BMW to come and collect it. Having pointed out that you cannot legally drive the vehicle.
Get BMW to come and collect it. Having pointed out that you cannot legally drive the vehicle.
Go with this one. As BMW are fixing the problem FOC they're obviously admitting it's their fault. Therefore they can deal with the hassle and expense of getting it sorted legally.Under Sect 44 of the RTA, you can legally drive an untaxed motor vehicle for a pre-booked Mot, then, should it fail, to another garage or place of repair - again pre-booked - for the repairs to take place. Following repair, you can then drive it back to the MoT test station fo re-test. During these movements it becomes an 'exempt vehicle' under the legislation, the only requirement being that it is properly insured.I looked this up on the DFT website only last week and printed off Sect 44.
I may be missing something but.....
Give it to BMW NOW!! Their problem, when on site cluttering the place, they will fix it for sure.
As soon as THEY MOT it; get the cert and trot off to the local Post Office for a tax disc....
If the BMW place is in the middle of a field miles from a PO, then give them teh paperwork and get them to sort the tax with your cheque/V5/MOT/INsurance etc.
???? Am I missing something? Loan/Courtesy car? It is their fault after all?
Give it to BMW NOW!! Their problem, when on site cluttering the place, they will fix it for sure.
As soon as THEY MOT it; get the cert and trot off to the local Post Office for a tax disc....
If the BMW place is in the middle of a field miles from a PO, then give them teh paperwork and get them to sort the tax with your cheque/V5/MOT/INsurance etc.
???? Am I missing something? Loan/Courtesy car? It is their fault after all?
Tax expired end of Sept.
Cannot take out Excise Licene as No MOT.
Should declare SORN until it is sorted.Do it on line and keep a copy.
Drive without Excise is a no no unless you want a hefty fine.
Drive vehicle on SORN - ditto - no no.
If defect with vehicle is such that it contravens Con and Use/RT Regs then offence also.
As Cooperman succintley states to drive vehicle to Test Station then you are lawful in respect of No MOT/Excise Licence providing you have made and booked an appointment. Covers also to any place of repair.
At the end of the month when a licence expires then DVLA wait a month and then do a check on their computor and any vehicle they find that has not been relicensed or SORN'ed then out goes a £80 penalty to the Reg Keeper.
dvd
Cannot take out Excise Licene as No MOT.
Should declare SORN until it is sorted.Do it on line and keep a copy.
Drive without Excise is a no no unless you want a hefty fine.
Drive vehicle on SORN - ditto - no no.
If defect with vehicle is such that it contravens Con and Use/RT Regs then offence also.
As Cooperman succintley states to drive vehicle to Test Station then you are lawful in respect of No MOT/Excise Licence providing you have made and booked an appointment. Covers also to any place of repair.
At the end of the month when a licence expires then DVLA wait a month and then do a check on their computor and any vehicle they find that has not been relicensed or SORN'ed then out goes a £80 penalty to the Reg Keeper.
dvd
Slaav said:
I may be missing something but.....
Give it to BMW NOW!! Their problem, when on site cluttering the place, they will fix it for sure.
As soon as THEY MOT it; get the cert and trot off to the local Post Office for a tax disc....
If the BMW place is in the middle of a field miles from a PO, then give them teh paperwork and get them to sort the tax with your cheque/V5/MOT/INsurance etc.
???? Am I missing something? Loan/Courtesy car? It is their fault after all?
Seconded...after all if it is 'something rather major' as the OP said it was...he really shouldn't be driving it at all ANYWHERE...let BMW do the necessary.Give it to BMW NOW!! Their problem, when on site cluttering the place, they will fix it for sure.
As soon as THEY MOT it; get the cert and trot off to the local Post Office for a tax disc....
If the BMW place is in the middle of a field miles from a PO, then give them teh paperwork and get them to sort the tax with your cheque/V5/MOT/INsurance etc.
???? Am I missing something? Loan/Courtesy car? It is their fault after all?
Edited by oldsoak on Thursday 11th October 14:53
oldsoak said:
Slaav said:
I may be missing something but.....
Give it to BMW NOW!! Their problem, when on site cluttering the place, they will fix it for sure.
As soon as THEY MOT it; get the cert and trot off to the local Post Office for a tax disc....
If the BMW place is in the middle of a field miles from a PO, then give them teh paperwork and get them to sort the tax with your cheque/V5/MOT/INsurance etc.
???? Am I missing something? Loan/Courtesy car? It is their fault after all?
Seconded...after all if it is 'something rather major' as the OP said it was...he really shouldn't be driving it at all ANYWHERE...let BMW do the necessary.Give it to BMW NOW!! Their problem, when on site cluttering the place, they will fix it for sure.
As soon as THEY MOT it; get the cert and trot off to the local Post Office for a tax disc....
If the BMW place is in the middle of a field miles from a PO, then give them teh paperwork and get them to sort the tax with your cheque/V5/MOT/INsurance etc.
???? Am I missing something? Loan/Courtesy car? It is their fault after all?
Edited by oldsoak on Thursday 11th October 14:53
Its no ones real fault, except in the meantime I am screwed for a car!!! I feel better that I can drive it to the repair and MOT at least
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