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Original poster

Photo taken for traffic offence

33 replies

outcrops · 17/02/2023 21:44

we were pulled over today (no reason just random) and it transpired we’d inadvertently committed a traffic offence. Complete oversight (think MOT expired without realising - not that but similar genuine mistake) and immediately put hands out and admitted it was our mistake when it was pointed out (was hithero totally unaware). All ok and quite friendly but police officer took a photo of DP before reading rights.

Just wondered if anyone knows the purpose of the photo? It was quite informal, by roadside side on etc so not a mug shot. I’ve googled but not managed to find out why they need a photo. Tia

OP posts:

FavouriteSlippers · 17/02/2023 23:08

Afaik you also can't tax a car without a valid MOT.

Op when was the car purchased?

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 17/02/2023 23:08

There's a place near me where the police do 'spot checks' and just pull over random cars. Unless these police officers are actually psychic of course and when they wave you to the side they actually know there's something off

Yes they both were phenomenally dumb to not know that the car needed taxing (I mean, come on!) but it's entirely possible to be pulled over for no reason.

RedRiverShore3 · 17/02/2023 23:11

The car may not need an MOT if it isn't 3 years old.

mondaytosunday · 17/02/2023 23:27

Yes they do @Kinneddar . Police stop cars for random checks all the time, ramping them up near holidays for mainly DUI checks.

PositiveLife · 17/02/2023 23:31

outcrops · 17/02/2023 22:36

It was tax as when we bought it we were told it was taxed but the law changed in 2014(!) and now tax is with the owner not the vehicle. Hadn’t bought a car since then so hadn’t realised. No big secret just didn’t want a debate about how stupid we were for not checking as I’m fully aware of that! I was just curious about the photo.

Oh yes, now you have to pay the tax when you buy the car and the previous owner gets a refund for any months left on the tax they paid for.
Usually this is made clear at the dealership/garage and they often take the payment and process it for you. Was it a private sale? If so, I can see how it's easy not to know (and not be told by the seller)

Original poster

outcrops · 18/02/2023 05:45

It was a private sale and we’ve only had it couple of weeks

OP posts:

TimeForMeToF1y · 18/02/2023 06:01

FavouriteSlippers · 17/02/2023 23:08

Afaik you also can't tax a car without a valid MOT.

Op when was the car purchased?

When your tax runs out your MOT doesn't become invalid so easy have one and not the other if you forget about the tax o thar might not need and MOt

RedRiverShore3 · 18/02/2023 07:30

Ah, right, I can see how it happened, we always buy from dealers and they deal with all that, but I guess the owner just said so many months tax and mot like in the old days, you'll probably just get the standard no tax fine like when people forget to renew it, I don't think you get points. I guess the photo is for records because usually if you don't pay fines it goes to court. Probably best to look out for the fine to pay it promptly.

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