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Original poster

Massively screwed up, untaxed car

44 replies

JustGoodVibes · 09/02/2020 21:59

I moved home 5 months ago, I thought I’d updated My address everywhere but I literally just read another thread about the need to update the V5 of a new address, I had no idea! It’s my first car that I’ve only owned for around a year.
This also means I haven’t received my road tax reminder and after a check online it ran out last week!

A further complication is I’m currently on holiday, with the car a 5 hour drive from home and can’t tax it without the log book.

I feel sick and I’m not sure what to do?! Will I get a massive fine, can I go to prison or something for this, my anxiety is going through the roof.

OP posts:

Queenparsnip · 09/02/2020 22:05

Don't panic. Just pay when you get back. Very unlikely anything will happen. I speak from experience...

MrsFionaCharming · 09/02/2020 22:07

I paid mine a month late last year by accident. So far nothing has happened.

AlwaysCheddar · 09/02/2020 22:08

And therefore uninsured car?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking

AnotherEmma · 09/02/2020 22:10

Does anyone have a spare key to your house, could they pop in and dig out your log book, then send you a photo with the info you need to renew online?

If not just do it as soon as you get back from holiday.

PurpleDaisies · 09/02/2020 22:10

My neighbour’s untaxed car got towed by the DVLA last week.

If you get caught, it will be a fine not prison.

scared2020 · 09/02/2020 22:10

Is anyone home with a hey who can send you a picture of the letter with the number on? Then you can do it by phone !

Ursaminor · 09/02/2020 22:10

I was 3 months late once - nothing happened. I just paid it online the minute I noticed.

getyourarseoffthequattro · 09/02/2020 22:11

I did that. Forgot to change address and didnt think i needed to tax the car because its £0 tax. Anywho turns out you do so i changed address and taxed it same day. Nothings ever come of it.

Hockneypool · 09/02/2020 22:11

It’s really not a huge problem. I forgot to tax my car for about 5 months the year before last . I’m trying to remember what I did.

You don’t need to be at home. Go onto the gov/ DVLA website. I can’t remember the exact details but it’s the one where you check if the car tax is up to date, and get the phone number. You can ring them in the morning and then you can pay the outstanding amount. When I did it they were really kind and I got the impression it happens a lot.

ShyTown · 09/02/2020 22:13

I did this a few years ago. Didn’t realise until I went to sell the car. Nothing happened.

Tinty · 09/02/2020 22:14

Is the car on the road or on your private drive? If it is on the drive I don’t think anyone will check whether it is taxed or not, you should be ok. If it is on a road do you get traffic wardens around your area? You might get a ticket for having no tax and generally you have to pay a fine equivalent to the amount of months untaxed so it shouldn’t be too much.

I’ve just looked it up and it says an £80 fine (which is halved if you pay within a certain time),and no points. It can go up to £1000 if you don’t pay and they take you to court.

You will be very unlucky if someone checks your number plate in the next few days. When are you back OP?

TreesSandSea · 09/02/2020 22:15

Do you know the reg? Tax it online

knightsbridgemum · 09/02/2020 22:19

I disagree with those saying it's not a big problem. Your vehicle will activate every ANPR camera it goes through and will alert any officers close by. Most roads, car parks, petrol stations etc have ANPR cameras and so do traffic cars.
I would phone the DVLA in the morning for the correct advice.
If you are stopped by Police, your vehicle will get seized at the roadside. Please don't risk it.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/02/2020 22:21

Tax it online

dognamedspot · 09/02/2020 22:23

Yes, just ring DVLA in the morning. I can't believe you're being told to ignore this when it can be sorted out so easily. People saying they were months late... I was fined £100 for the tax being a month late on a car I'd just sold. Easily sorted out, but I can't imagine you'd get away with several months. Maybe some are confusing this with MOT.

FrangipaniBlue · 09/02/2020 22:24

She cant tax it online without the v5 which is in her house 5hrs away

Queenparsnip · 09/02/2020 22:24

knightsbridgemum the op is on holiday and car is at home...

Fuckwheresitgone · 09/02/2020 22:26

Can't you renew it online? Why do you need the log book? I just renew my tax over the phone, no log book, no evidence of insurance and no MOT cert. needed (as everything's linked remotely); very simple compared to years ago when you had to have all the documents and tramp down to the post office to renew! Alternatively give the DVLA a ring in the morning and see if they can give you the details you need to renew over the phone?

FrangipaniBlue · 09/02/2020 22:26

@Queenparsnip I think she means she's on holiday with the car, it's not at home...

trevthecat · 09/02/2020 22:26

I'm in a very similar position. DVLA tried to clamp my car the other day outside my house, I thought it was taxed but apparently my direct debit was knocked back in September! Moved house and didn't change address. All sorted now but I've driven all over the country since September and not once been caught by these ampr cameras. I've driven through London and not been flagged once. According to the woman who was going to clamp, most don't work. Just try do it online or do it when you get home. If you get caught on camera then you are extremely unlucky!

Northernsoullover · 09/02/2020 22:27

In future just set up a monthly direct debit. I was always one of the many in the queue at the post office the day before it was due to run out. I do not miss those days.

Queenparsnip · 09/02/2020 22:27

Ah just reread, car is on holiday too. Sorry Knightsbridgemum

FrangipaniBlue · 09/02/2020 22:27

Can't you renew it online? Why do you need the log book?

Because the online system asks for the 16 digit code off your logbook!

you can do it over the phone without it though.

SunshineDays2019 · 09/02/2020 22:28

Tinty, OP said she is on holiday with her car 5 hours away, so how can it be on her drive at home? Dozy or what!

eatsleepmoverepeat · 09/02/2020 22:29

DSD forgot to tax her car for 6 weeks. She was driving it the whole time and we don’t have a drive so it was parked on the street. She just sorted it online when the second reminder letter came through and hasn’t had a fine or any other consequences

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