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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bollocks I've ballsed up

166 replies

HuffleWoof · 29/07/2022 00:07

I've had so much on recently. I have had cancer and Im finishing treatment this week I've been meaning to pay the car tax bill, it's just completely escaped me with all the crap I've had to keep on top of (not an excuse I know)

DH is driving me home from the marsden on Monday, it's a 5 hour trip and the fucking car tax runs out on Monday. Will he get pulled over? I know it's an offence to not pay for car tax. Tbh he could have sorted it and didn't so it's not all on me:

We're there now and I've just gone to sort it thinking 'oh fuck that needs doing' and it's can't be done without the letter which is on the kitchen table 5 hours away, or the log book also 5 hours away.

If we go through many anpr cameras on Monday (speed limit cameras etc) will we get 10+ fines? This is a nightmare. My mum has a spare key but I don't feel like I can ask her to drive for 45 mins to get me an 11 digit code on a piece of paper 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
LegoStuckInMyFootAgain · 29/07/2022 00:12

Not got a scoobie I'm afraid. Could you give DVLA a call to see if they can do anything without bits of paper if you explain the situation?
DVLA vehicle tax service
Telephone: 0300 123 4321
24-hour service

Saisong · 29/07/2022 00:14

Pretty sure it only expires at midnight on the day it runs to. So if it expires on Monday you have until midnight Monday.

Best wishes for your treatment ending though x

minipie · 29/07/2022 00:15

Breathe, you’ve had a lot going on Flowers. Is the date of expiry Monday? If so, I believe you are ok to drive until midnight on Monday.

AmazonGroupie · 29/07/2022 00:16

You can sort it online and set up a monthly direct debit? 🌻🌼

Original poster
HuffleWoof · 29/07/2022 00:19

@AmazonGroupie not without the number at the top of the letter. Im such an overthinker.

Thanks for the tea and sympathy Smile I think we'll just have to accept any fines that happen it's 1 day not like 1 year

OP posts:
Hunderland · 29/07/2022 00:20

If it runs out midnight Sun I would get your mum to get the code in case you get pulled over.

I was told that if you were driving to have the car MOTd that would be an acceptable reason but I wouldn't be brave / stupid enough to try it...

NeedToLeaveNow · 29/07/2022 00:23

Just ring them and see if they can do it without the code on the letter

Original poster
HuffleWoof · 29/07/2022 00:29

@NeedToLeaveNow that's a good idea I'll do it in the morning or ask DH to sort it. Thank you!

OP posts:
Notanotherwindow · 29/07/2022 00:31

They can do it with the reg number too if you call them. It wouldn't just be a fine though, would it? Think you get points too as it's a criminal offence. Not sure on that though, so don't take that as gospel.

HollowTalk · 29/07/2022 00:33

Thanks so much for this thread. I've just remembered I have to pay mine at the end of the month.

seramum · 29/07/2022 00:37

It'll be fine I'm sure. DH forgot to renew his, and did so 6 weeks late. ... nothing happened he was driving around all the time. But our neighbour was driving around her car without tax for about 8 months. We looked it up when she had been in a car accident. Police came round and did nothing. We were shocked.

Boredof2020 · 29/07/2022 08:10

A few years ago, I forgot to do ours, it was 2 weeks late. As soon as I remembered, I did it online and set up a direct debit. I was expecting a fine or something, but nothing ever happened.

SavoirFlair · 29/07/2022 08:12

DVLA. They’ll advise.

seramum · 29/07/2022 08:20

This reminds me, a few years back I taught an autistic kid who was obsessed with his teacher's cars. He had memorised all their number plates, and could tell you the history of all the cars. Whether they'd passed their MOTs or not, what they had failed for etc etc. Anyway, one year a colleague has forgotten to tax his car and said student reminded him that it was out of date... Teacher was very embarrassed but thanked the student, who replied "don't worry" and then listed half a dozen other teachers whose car tax was out of date, some by several months. So embarrassed teacher has to send them all an email advising them to get it done.

Student was a lovely lad, and I have fond memories teaching him, but just to reassure that I think it is really quite common, so just renew as soon as you can and you'll be fine,.

pilates · 29/07/2022 08:20

Is there any chance you could leave early Sunday evening? I think it would expire 12 o’clock Sunday night.

nokidshere · 29/07/2022 08:23

If,it runs out on Monday it's valid till midnight on Monday. But it's easy to sort, you can just go online and pay it or set up a dd for it.

AlisonDonut · 29/07/2022 08:26

I imagine calling today you can pay it over the phone.

Handsnotwands · 29/07/2022 08:26

Are you totally sure you don’t have the v5 or whichever it is tucked inside the handbook in the glove compartment?

MsMiaWallace · 29/07/2022 08:30

Can only get prosecuted if 2 months & 2 days out of tax.
Don't worry!

Ohthatsexciting · 29/07/2022 08:32

Have you not renewed online before? Bring up last years email?

Mollymalone123 · 29/07/2022 08:33

I think you get leeway anyway but I’m sure u can do it online with just the registration number.

2under2howscary · 29/07/2022 08:34

I was never prosecuted when we drove to Manchester and back from Newcastle, and it was 3 weeks out of date! I just renewed soon as I realised and haven't had a proble.

WinterMusings · 29/07/2022 08:34

Congratulations on the end of your treatment, I wish you all the best 🌸

I'd be astounded if the DVLA can't do it over the phone/extend you until Tue or whatever (maybe even just reassure you that you're ok until Tuesday anyway). I've done mine online for years now, I honestly didn't think you could do it any other way still. It takes seconds. But I guess I must have had the V5 to hand to set it up, I don't remember

you'll need a fair bit of patience to get through to the DVLA though. Is there no one near your house that has a key?? V5 & online would be far easier!!

safe trip home x

DotBall · 29/07/2022 08:36

Are you totally sure you don’t have the v5 or whichever it is tucked inside the handbook in the glove compartment

OP has already said not. This is a daft idea anyway, if the car is stolen with the V5 that opens a whole other pile of issues.

LadyCatStark · 29/07/2022 08:37

MsMiaWallace · 29/07/2022 08:30

Can only get prosecuted if 2 months & 2 days out of tax.
Don't worry!

This, don’t give it a second thought until you get home. If you did have the bad luck of getting pulled over, it’d take a real jobsworth to try to fine you anyway if you explain the circumstances.