Test driving a car without tax

[BeerForBreakfast]

Its properly been asked before. Had a quick look with the search button, then got fed up trawling though the old threads.

Can you test drive a car with no tax?

[chr15b]

nope

unless it's on trade plates

[BeerForBreakfast]

chr15b said:

nope

unless it's on trade plates

Hmm thought as much. Didn't want to drive it then just my luck that comes around the corner.

If the seller doesn't want to pay for the tax, there's no legal way of driving it then?

[Nigel Worc's]

Beware of insurance too.

Some insurance companies (mine for example, sun alliance) require the vehicle to have its own insurance in place, before you can use your own third party clause (if you have that facility)

[The PM]

Trade plates are only to be used moving the vehicle from one location to another. When on trade plates only one person can be in the vehicle.

[chr15b]

The PM said:

Trade plates are only to be used moving the vehicle from one location to another. When on trade plates only one person can be in the vehicle.

is that a fact?

i've testdriven dozens of cars on trade plates because of no tax.

[Jonny671]

chr15b said:

The PM said:

Trade plates are only to be used moving the vehicle from one location to another. When on trade plates only one person can be in the vehicle.

is that a fact?

i've testdriven dozens of cars on trade plates because of no tax.

I was going to say the samething..

[Cat]

The PM said:

Trade plates are only to be used moving the vehicle from one location to another. When on trade plates only one person can be in the vehicle.

This is not the case, trade plates are in effect moveable road tax for use by motor traders. The should only be used in connection with the traders business activities i.e not to take a vehicle home to use at the weekend etc.

Cat

[SS2.]

The PM said:

Trade plates are only to be used moving the vehicle from one location to another.

Not correct. A trade licence may be used on a vehicle for any number of reasons - including test drives.

The PM said:

When on trade plates only one person can be in the vehicle.

Of course passengers can be carried - so long as it is in connection with a purpose for which the licence was issued.

[GC8]

The PM said:

Trade plates are only to be used moving the vehicle from one location to another. When on trade plates only one person can be in the vehicle.

I must have had special trade plates then: luckily they only cost the same as everyone elses rubbish trade plates.

There are conditions of course, but vehicle occupancy isnt one. Many people take the piss too, but its down to the issuing VRO to deal with it, not the police.

[D_G]

I've had trades for over ten years, the police can inform DVLA when trades are being used incorrectly (and they normally revoke them). I've been stopped when using them and as long as they on being used for business purposes there's no problem.

[BeerForBreakfast]

The car is SORNED. The seller has said he doesn't want to tax it just for a test drive. Which I can kind of understand.

He also said that it would be Ok for me drive the car, because the tax and car is his responsibility. Now if plod pulled me over is that true? Or would me as the driver get in trouble?

[Kinky]

It's you who takes the rap - not him. And ignorance is no defence.

[BeerForBreakfast]

Kinky said:

It's you who takes the rap - not him. And ignorance is no defence.

Cheers Mr Kinky

The search goes on..

[paulqv]

no the seller commits an offence of casuing and permitting the use of the car without tax
The driver has a liability for tax from the day the car was last taxed subject to the diescretion of the crown

[Kinky]

I asked this specific question about 3 years ago, and the response was that it was the responsibility of the driver to ensure that the vehicle they were driving was correctly taxed, MOTd, and insured (with exceptions for MOTs, etc).

Just like the onus is on passengers to ensure they wear a seatbelt - otherwise they individually get a fine - whereas it used to be the responsibility of the driver to ensure everyone wore a belt.

If those details are wrong - then I apologise, but that's how it was explained to me - and the rules I've stuck with.

K

[Mg6b]

Use/Cause/permit

Are the words added to the principle offences relating to the use of motor
vehicles

In the case of the circumstances listed above, both the potential purchaser and the prospective buyer would be using the vehicle.

The owner may also be subject of permitting the vehicle's use without tax if the 'use' clause was subject to a defence.

If I own a car and ask you to go to the shop to get a pint of milk for me and during that trip the vehicle is subject to construction and use offences, then both you and I are subject of using the vehicle subject to the specific offence. I don't need to be in the vehicle to be guilty of the offence!

[paulqv]

yes the offences are causing and permitting, which covers everything apart form stealing or taking without consent
So if you let someone drive and the vehicle is commiting an offence eg the driver is not insured or car has no tax you are guilty as well of casuing the offence or permitting it and face the same penalties
Hence if someone wants to drive your car, then you need to SEE their insurance and to satisfy yourslef that it covers them for driving the vehicle. If its an invalid policy ie its been cancelled or isnt the driver you have a defence but the driver faces additional charges!

[markmullen]

The PM said:

Trade plates are only to be used moving the vehicle from one location to another. When on trade plates only one person can be in the vehicle.

Nonsense.

[jeff m]

I'm in the US so a bit out of touch, but couldn't you book an MOT then test drive it to the testing place.