Driving with no Tax and all that...?

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Driving with no Tax and all that...?

64 posts & 32 voices | Started 2 years ago by PeterPoddy | Latest reply from bigyinn

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PeterPoddy - Member

Bought a Vespa GT200 at the weekend, off Evilbay, and it's currently SORN and no MoT
Current owner is MoTing it for us today, and I have just switched my insurance over, so I sould have the new policy in my hands by the time we pick it up on Sunday.

Sunday - That's the problem. We simply cannot go any other day to pick it up. We're going something like 120 miles from Hampshire to Suffolk and This Sunday is our only day for about 3 weeks when we have the time.

And most post offices are't open on Sundays.

Suggestions?

(I don't think you can re-tax from SORN online can you?)

Posted 2 years ago #
krag - Member

I'd just ride it personally, but if you're worried can't you hire a small van for the weekend and stick it in there?

Posted 2 years ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

but if you're worried can't you hire a small van for the weekend and stick it in there?

I could. But that costs money......

Posted 2 years ago #
DrRSwank - Member

You'll be fine. Just take insurance and proof of purchase (dated) with you. If plod stop you explain the situation.

Posted 2 years ago #
juan - Member

Get the MOT paper, the insurance policy with you and don't be stupid. If you get caught (and that's a big if), unless you fall on a jackass (mind you this word is a synonym for life bullied cops) you might be able to talk your way out of this.

Posted 2 years ago #
krag - Member

"that costs money"

So will the fine for driving without a MOT or tax. I've heard rumours that insurance isn't valid without a valid tax disc but I don't think this is true?

When I've been stopped for driving without tax in the past the coppers have checked the insurance and had no dramas with me carrying on, tis a matter for the DVLA.

Posted 2 years ago #
thomthumb - Member

if, and it's a big if, you get caught you will have no excuse.

can't you do it a police station? that was mentioned on here before.

Posted 2 years ago #
tinsy - Member

PP, no you cant do anything online as your not on the logbook, but if the owner currently has insurance he could do it for you eiher at the post office or online, but without him having insurance I think your stuffed.

Maybe if you rang the Post Office, they could advise you if he had your cover note to show it was insured, then maybe that would be enough to get it tax'd.

I bought a car on a Sunday recently but couldnt get tax until the insurance details came through, wednesday, I got caught by a roadside tax camera thing on the tuesday and got fined, I explained I needed the car desperatly and i had tried to do it online to no avail but had bought tax on the thursday despite it being last day of the month, and they reduced my fine to £40.

Posted 2 years ago #
coffeeking - Member

Insurance is void without tax. Don't be daft.

Incidentally the SORN/taxy system seems to take about 2 weeks to clear changes for some reason, if you try to re-tax from sorn online it'll probably not let you (though I can't see any reason why not, all it needs is the MOT and insurance numbers, no reason to be in a post office for that.

Posted 2 years ago #
Pauly - Member

I just taxed my SORN car over the phone last week. The only wanted to know if it was MOT'd, and they called the test centre to check.

Posted 2 years ago #
ctznsmith - Member

Claim you taxed it online but it's still in the post and see if you can get a 'producer'? Would that work?

Posted 2 years ago #
tinsy - Member

FWIW the sorn thing seemed to play no part in re taxing the car I bought.

Just that you need all the paperwork in your name before being able to do anything online.

Pauly, sound's odd as insurance has been a requirment for a tax disc since I started driving in 83.

Anyhow I doubt the Vespa is going to make that journey anyhow PP, 120miles is a **** long way on one, no chance of you borrowing a van of anykind or a trailer or something?

Posted 2 years ago #
jon1973 - Member

Posted 2 years ago #
Pauly - Member

So I thought as well tinsy.
Didn't even ask about insurance over the phone. This was the DVLNI in Northern Ireland.

Posted 2 years ago #
tinsy - Member

only if the seller has insurance for it..

Posted 2 years ago #
takisawa2 - Member

I'd risk it with no tax, but only as long as it definitely had Ins' & MOT.
I asked a couple of traffic cops if Insurance is invalid if you've no Tax / MOT & they said no, as did Direct Line when I asked them.

A post like this will bring out all the pedants with nothing constructive to add.

Posted 2 years ago #
tinsy - Member

Maybe its a bit different there...

Anyhow I would just chance it.... pay up and look big if you get caught, or try a weasely letter like i did for a reduced fine.

Posted 2 years ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

but if the owner currently has insurance he could do it for you eiher at the post office or online, but without him having insurance I think your stuffed.

I don't think it's been insured for quite a while TBH. Good idea though.

I just taxed my SORN car over the phone last week. The only wanted to know if it was MOT'd, and they called the test centre to check.

Is that possible on a Sunday?

I did think of getting him to post me the MoT so I could do it from this end, but I want to see the bike before I hand my cash over first..... Should be OK, but you never know...

Our local Post Office is in a Supermarket and open on Sunday, so I might get some joy at his end. (Not got the address yet though)

Posted 2 years ago #
TheLittlestHobo - Member

Pay for bike. MOT bike. Tax Bike. Wait 1 week to collect it.

If you are worried about the consequences of riding it illegally then its worth waiting to collect it when its 100% legal.

Posted 2 years ago #
norbert colon - Member

Why don't you give the DVLA a call? I had reason to do the same a few years back and they were able to clarify the 'rules' for me.

That way at least you'll know where you stand?

Shirley, you're not the first person to have this issue?

Posted 2 years ago #
coffeeking - Member

I asked a couple of traffic cops if Insurance is invalid if you've no Tax / MOT & they said no, as did Direct Line when I asked them.

Check your policy wording, mine disagrees, maybe not all do. And IME traffic cops are the last people to ask about the fine details of the law.

Threads like this will bring out people who will want you to risk your cash for the sake of picking it up when the docs aren't completed

Hire a bike trailer - £20.
Hire a van - £40.

Hardly expensive.

Posted 2 years ago #
BigJohn - Member

Put fake plates on it and ride it home.

Posted 2 years ago #
Drac - Moderator

Oh dear just found the tax disc on top of the fireplace and Mrs has taken the car today.

Posted 2 years ago #
BigButSlimmerBloke - Member

You'll be ok if you don't get caught.
BUT, cops can check the tax status of a vehicle automatically.
Cops don't like bikes.
You only need one pedant cop.

So it comes down to -

Do you feel lucky, punk?

Posted 2 years ago #
flippinheckler - Member

I am driving around today as my Tax has run out! However did it online last night and its legal for up to five days to drive with your old disc, I have the printout as proof if I get pulled.

Posted 2 years ago #
alanf - Member

Just make sure you've got breakdown recovery. It being a Lambretta, its more than likely going to pack up before you get it home
If you're clever you could get them to take you nearly all the way back for free!

Posted 2 years ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

Anyhow I doubt the Vespa is going to make that journey anyhow PP, 120miles is a **** long way on one, no chance of you borrowing a van of anykind or a trailer or something?

Why not? It's a 2003 model with 11k on the clock. 200cc 4-valve, watercooled 4-stroke, cruises at 80mph whilst doing 70mpg. Big comfy seat, auto box, Lovely!

Posted 2 years ago #
BigButSlimmerBloke - Member

It's also Italian

Italian bikes are very economical, they don't burn petrol whilst sitting in the garage waiting for some weird shaped part to make it through the Italian postal system

Posted 2 years ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

Pay for bike. MOT bike. Tax Bike. Wait 1 week to collect it.

Not possible. 240 mile + round trip to collect it, only one day available this month to do it.....

I do know a bloke with a bike trailer though, and we do have a tow-bar

Good idea!

Posted 2 years ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

It's also Italian

And? So what?

We've had 2 Ducatis, a Gilera and an Aprilia. Scare stories don't bother me, and the Italians make the best scooters you can lay your hands on by a long way. The 4-valve Piaggio 'Leader' engine in this bike is the same unit but 20cc bigger than the one I had in my Gilera Runner VXR. I bought that for £750 with 14k on the clock, took it up to 27k and sold it for £700
I had a Peugeot Elystar after that **shudders**
Last French vehicle I'll ever buy.

Posted 2 years ago #
hels - Member

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. What happens if you have an accident and damage an expensive car ? Wee dings at roundabouts so easy on a bike, and one that you know might not run too well. All because you don't want to re-arrange your life and get the scooter a few weeks later, take a day off work or something.

No tax, no valid insurance, no leg to stand on. But making a risk-managed assessment you will likely get away with it.

Posted 2 years ago #
simon_g - Member

You can probably tax it online - assuming it's a computerised MOT place (and I think they all are now), it should be up on the MOT check website straight away and if it's there, the online car tax site can verify it automatically.

I MOTed mine (it sailed through, you'll be glad to know!) last week and taxed it online same day, no problems.

Posted 2 years ago #
simon_g - Member

Oh, actually it's probably all still in his name/address which buggers that up. Can't he just tax it for you and you reimburse him?

tbh, I'd probably not have qualms about just riding it home. Can't see the police having a big issue if you're on your way home with the remainder of the V5 and a reciept in your pocket.

Posted 2 years ago #
Olly - Member

until youve actually paid it, the auto reccognition system in plod cars will pick up that its sorn.

you dont have to be being silly, you just have to ride past a plod mobile with the system installed and it will flag you up.

i wouldnt be suprised if your insurance is invalid without road tax too.
it should say on the policy quite clearly?

driving without any paperwork at all is a risk assesment, as is riding without tax (and therefore potentially without insurance)

i would tow it.

Posted 2 years ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

Can't he just tax it for you and you reimburse him?

No. Like I said, he's got no insurance on it any more

You can probably tax it online

Not until the V5 is in your name you can't......

(This is the actual bike if anyone is interested - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130368605942&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

Posted 2 years ago #

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