No tax, what should I do?

[andytk]

Righto. My motorbike tax disk expires today and I went to the post office to get a new one. Trouble is the bike is new and I don't yet have the Insurance Certiciate from the insurance firm.

They haven't sent it to me cos they've been waiting for me to send them a copy of my drivers licence.
I've been waiting to get my drivers licence back from the DVLA where I've been getting the motorcycling entitlement put on (I've recently passed my test).

So, no insurance certificate, no tax disk. I did take a letter from the insurance company with my policy number on it but as it wasn't the official insurace certificate they wouldn't accept it.

As soon as I get my certificate I'll go back and pay for the tax disk (and get it back dated to the end date of the last disk) so it'll be all legit.

In the meantime what do I do?

Ride around with no tax disk?
Ride around with out of date tax disk?
Photoshop up fake tax disk (joking!!!)

While riding I wouldn't be parking up anywhere that the public/traffic wardens/cops would be able to take a casual look at it.
To get caught I'd have to be pulled over by the cops or ANPR'd (which would show up out of date tax) and then get pulled.

I'm not trying to break the law, its just an unfortunate mix up of paperwork ad I fully intend to pay up.
But I refuse to let a paperwork cock up stop me from riding (especially as I've got to ride to get tyres fitted tommorrow).

Andy

[tonyrec]

Technicaly you shouldnt ride without Road Tax, but if all you say is accurate (and ive no reason to suspect otherwise), then it wouldnt stop me from riding.

Its all down to common sense and contrary to popular belief, there are still Policeman etc out there who deliver this on a regular basis.

[lancelot]

I'm currently riding round with no tax as some scote nicked it two days ago. I've got to wait for a new one to come from the 'local' DVLA office. I reported it to the police so if I do get stopped at least I've got a crime number I can give to them to back my story up.

>> Edited by lancelot on Thursday 31st July 15:27

[Davel]

I think that most coppers would be reasonable about this.

Couple of years ago, I asked a local garage owner to sell a Discovery for me in his showroom. Got a call a few weeks later from his son, as the owner had gassed himself in the showroom and they needed me to move my car straight away. The receiver was about to seize all the cars.

It was MOTd and had no tax. After phoning the local plod for advice, they suggested that as long as I arranged insurance for moving it between locations, no reasonable copper would book me for having no tax.

Its not as if you're trying to avoid taxing it is it?

[grahambell]

Think you should be OK.

Was in similar situation few years back, having just put a car back on road ready for a car show. Had MOT sorted, paid for insurance and had application form for tax all ready but insurance certificate didn't arrive on time.

Wasn't about to miss car show, so knowing I'd get tax disc following week which covered period of weekend I just stuck a 'tax applied for' note in the windscreen.

Local BiB were at the show looking round the cars, including mine (the black with flames paintjob did make it rather noticeable!) but I never had any bother.

You've got a legit reason and you'll still be paying for the period you're using it so I'd say do it and argue the toss if necessary.

[kinky]

I thought you had a 2 week 'grace' period?

[Pies]

kinky said:

I thought you had a 2 week 'grace' period?

[kinky]

I take it that's a no then?

Just as well I've never 'availed' of this grace period then!

[Godfrey H]

Unfortunately the DVLA APNR vans won't wait for an explanation. They will just snap you and bingo fine on the doormat. Round our way they are especially active at the start of the month to catch people who haven't got round to renewing their tax. Another revenue earner I'm afraid.

[tonyrec]

Godfrey H said:

Unfortunately the DVLA APNR vans won't wait for an explanation. They will just snap you and bingo fine on the doormat. Round our way they are especially active at the start of the month to catch people who haven't got round to renewing their tax. Another revenue earner I'm afraid.

It takes at least 10days to go live on DVLA's computer.

If you were stopped and some jobs worth processed you for it then it would take monthes to get it to court etc etc. Obviously, you should have all your Docs withing a week or so then get the Tax and that would end the matter Pronto.

[kinky]

I suppose the other way of looking at it is that if you were unfortunate enough to have an accident - you would probably find that your insurance would not pay up as it was untaxed, and therefore should not have been on the road.