Can't afford to tax or insure this month-what do I need to do?

[whyiseverythingsoexpensive]

Hello, I've changed my name temporarily for this as I'm a bit embarrassed.

Both the tax and insurance were due on the car this month and we can't afford them. We decided to have a christmas instead!
We're obviously not intending to use the car but we have no option other than to park the car on a public road outside our house (we pay for a parking permit for this privilege!)

My dh and I are unsure if we need to log an off-road notice? Or do I just need to speak to the DVLA to let them know that we can't afford to get the necessary until January?

Would be grateful for any advice if anyone has any

if it's parked on a public road it must be taxed and insured full stop

If you SORN the vehicle must not be on a public highway.

If you don't tax it but leave it on a public highway, you could get a fine:

What if I do not tax my vehicle

If you are or become the registered keeper of a vehicle, you must ensure that the vehicle is licensed or a SORN declaration has been made. If it is not, you could face a fine and further penalties.

Under the system of continuous registration (CR), which commenced in January 2004, it is not necessary for your vehicle to be sighted on the public road for an offence to have been committed. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) now has the authority to carry out enforcement action against the registered keeper directly from information held on the vehicle licence records.
What could happen

As the registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle, you could be fined a minimum of £1000. In addition to this, you will be required to purchase a tax disc, pay arrears of vehicle tax accrued whilst the vehicle was untaxed and pay a penalty of £80. The maximum penalty for making a false declaration by declaring SORN when the vehicle is actually used or kept on a public road is £5000 and two years imprisonment.

As well as this, you could find your vehicle wheelclamped by DVLA's wheelclamping contractor. You would be charged a fee to have your vehicle released and you would also have to produce a valid tax disc or surety fee. If you did not pay this within 24 hours, DVLA would impound your vehicle. If you did not pay the necessary release and storage fees, DVLA would get rid of your vehicle, generally by crushing it. Further information on DVLA?s wheelclamping scheme can be found on the link below.
In this section...

from DVLA

so if I can find somewhere off-road to park it then I wait until January I assume?

Sorry, I only saw Daisy999's post when I replied. Thanks for all the info-it's not looking good is it.

Can you not get 6 months tax instead of 12?

Also - insurance you can pay monthly by Direct Debit to help spread the cost. Really, truly not worth breaking the law for this one - traffic wardens will note it - especially since you are in a permit area.

Re the insurance: could you organise your policy so you can pay monthly, then you're not shelling out a huge sum in one go? Similar with the tax, get 6 months instead of a year? AFAIK you can't get away with not paying either if your car is going to be left on the road, even if you're not using it.

But yes, if you can garage it for a few months - and get your SORN declaration - that would be fine.

Great minds QV
If it's off-road I think it still has to be insured, doesn't it?

Thanks. I hadn't realised that I was actually breaking a law-they both run out this month and we couldn't afford to renew them. Having said all that it doesn't seem like I have much of a choice.

No, it doesnt. Only if someone is going to drive it.

YL

Ah, I see.

Thanks again for the advice. I'll have to redo the christmas budget again I think!

Well, doesn't this prove that if you try you succeed! I've found an insurance company who insure without charging a deposit-they take the first premium a few days later...thanks for all the advice, it helped alot

Glad you got a good result.