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Original poster

Car Tax - how long before I get a fifty quid fine?

14 replies

BadHair · 01/03/2004 18:36

Went to get car tax on Saturday and couldn't find the insurance certificate. Rang insurance company today and they're sending me another one but it won't be here until at least Thursday (4 days after the tax expired).
Does anyone know how long the DVLA give you until they smugly post you a whacking great fine?

OP posts:
collision · 01/03/2004 18:37

2 weeks I think

twiglett · 01/03/2004 18:37

message withdrawn

nutcracker · 01/03/2004 18:42

Erm, i'm not sure, but my friend has similar problem. She went to get her car taxed and the garage had put the wrong reg on the MOT certificate, so she's got to go back to the garage to sort it out. She's not sure if that means that she will get fined.

Original poster
BadHair · 01/03/2004 18:43

Oh thank god for that. I tried to ring the DVLA to ask but apparently every one of their 160 phones is currently in use! You don't even get hold music, just a message telling you to call back when they're less busy.

OP posts:
Original poster
BadHair · 01/03/2004 18:44

Sorry nutcracker, I meant thank god that we might get 2 weeks leeway, not that your friend is in the same boat as me! Posts crossed somewhere.

OP posts:
squirmyworm · 01/03/2004 19:05

I was shamelessly eavesdropping in the post office this pm and the guy said it was after four weeks that you get a fine....prob best not take my word though

Original poster
BadHair · 01/03/2004 19:14

Oh phew. I really have been sitting here at work all afternoon biting my nails and worrying about how I'm going to cough up fifty quid. I had visions of the DVLA computer reeling off thousands of automatic letters to everyone who's a day late with paying up.

OP posts:
SueW · 01/03/2004 19:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

libb · 01/03/2004 19:40

You had also better watch out for the police, they might have the number plate reading cameras that can tell if you have no tax, no MOT or insurance. This is a fine on top of the DVLA one.

Although you'd have to unfortunate to be caught within your 4 days!

misdee · 01/03/2004 19:57

it is pretty quick now. they expect u to tax in the weeks b4 the old runs out, but u can date it forward. try ringing the dvla again in the afternoon, and explain. tho some insurence companies are quick with documents (mine arrived within 2 days)

WideWebWitch · 01/03/2004 23:15

Round here they clamp you for no tax. Sorry, hope it's not the case where you are.

handlemecarefully · 02/03/2004 08:47

I was two weeks late with my car tax last time and evaded 'punishment', but I was acutely aware that if I had been stopped by the police during that time I would have been hit for a fine.

So in summary - the DVLA didn't fine me within that fortnight, but if I had been unlucky enough to be stopped by the police or have my parked car spotted by a vigilant policeman or traffic warden I would have copped for it.

lazyeye · 02/03/2004 09:02

I was over a week late and didn't get a fine. I'm always late, but they have tightened up haven't they..........

Freckle · 02/03/2004 13:16

I went to tax my car on Saturday. I asked at what point I would become liable for a fine, i.e. my disc was valid until midnight on 29th February (a Sunday); if I waited until, say, midday on 1st March, would I already be liable for a fine? The Post Office said that they were currently issuing discs for March, so a check wouldn't be made until 1st April. This seems to imply that you have a month to sort out your tax. However, I don't think I'd like to put that one to the test. The fine is £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days. A further fine of £1000 is liable if you continue to drive your car after that without a valid tax disc.

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