Forum Topic

What should happen to untaxed vehicles?

Does anyone know the answer?Some people flaunt the law by driving around without a valid tax disc, I believe they are given 28 days after the expiry date but what happens after that time?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5978d32 Comments

Aren't they then fined and the car taken away and crushed as in that advert?

J Smith ● 5977d

It's big business.  Untaxed cars are collected by a private firm and taken to the pound.  I think the process is triggered automatically, after how long, I simply don't know, but I have seen a vehicle recovery truck fitted with automatic number plate cameras drive down a road and collect a car.  The whole process took a couple of minutes, it was really quick.From there the owner is sent the usual letters, has to pay a release fee and thats how the process reaches its conclusion, sometimes with the vehicle being crushed.  They don't crush the car with the owner still inside.

G Lord ● 5977d

If that is the case how come there are 2 vehicles being driven around without valid Toad Tax?Their details have been reported.One of the vehicles in question has a Tax Disc showing October 2009.The other vehicle did have a Tax Disc showing March 2010. The vehicle now has NO Tax Disc on the windscreen! This particular vehicle was reported in April but the driver is obviously ignoring the warnings!One wonders whether these drivers have Insurance or an MOT, they could have an accident and then the problems arise.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5977d

JeanThey may and only say may have new tax on their cars but have neglected to put the new disc on their windscreen.If it is causing problems for you, why not report them again to the police and get the vehicle towed away?

J Smith ● 5977d

I have sent further details on these vehicles to Streetwatchers and the Police.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5977d

The vehicles may not be registered to the address they are kept.  The vehicles may have false or stolen number plates.  Could be a number of reasons why they are still being driven.I was under the impression that a few days grace is now no longer valid, once its expired, its expired.If it has no tax then it possibly will also have no MOT or insurance, the driver may not even be legal to drive.

G Lord ● 5977d

No Tax does void the insurance regardless of it thats paid.

G Lord ● 5977d

Yes I'd forgotten about that. Mind you the amount of people that manage to get away without insurance is staggering. It's a pity there hasn't been a system installed in cars (or shall I say newer cars) that checks to see if there is an up to date tax disc etc and whether a car is insured, if the answer is no the car doesn't start. Fanciful I know but a future solution.

J Smith ● 5977d

Apparently if the vehicle is being used it poses a problem for the authorities to do something about it! In other words it is not an abandoned vehicle!Surely this just means that drivers are paying extra on insurance for those people who escape the law? That can't be right!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5977d

re: Surely this just means that drivers are paying extra on insurance for those people who escape the law?----------------------------------------------Yes that is correct, your premium is calculated to take this into account.re: That can't be right!--------------------------Jean, thats why driving without insurance or tax is an offence.I don't know who it is down to, the police or the traffic wardens to notice these things, but certainly whenever a ticket is placed on a car the wardens take a photo of the tax disk.  Don't know if they have a look at each one as they pass it.There was a police officer who posted here a few days ago, what do they say?

G Lord ● 5977d

JeanIf you want to make it official then PCSO Dave Aldous is available every Tuesday between 12 and 1 so you can raise your concerns with him. His contact details are on the second page of the discussion forum. He may be able to help.

J Smith ● 5977d

One vehicle had a notice on it the other day, the notice disappeared and so did the out of date tax disc. There is nothing on the windscreen of this car now. Details have been passed to Streetwatchers and the Police.We rarely see traffic wardens in the side streets, even if they walked past I very much doubt whether they would bother taking down details. I guess that's why these drivers get away with it.A neighbour said she used to telephone and report such vehicles but she said they are now charging people to telephone and report. It is no longer a free number apparently.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5977d

Have you tried Parking Services at the council?

G Lord ● 5977d

Why don't you visit PCSO Dave Aldous next Tuesday with your concerns and photos if necessary and demand that something is done about it. It is obvious that it is causing you problems and distress.Re Traffic Wardens - they are always in the side roads where I live and they are always very quick to report or have a vehicle removed.

J Smith ● 5977d

He'll be in West Ealing Library on Tuesday

J Smith ● 5977d

Yep have to agree, whenever I've called the wardens out they are usually there within 15 minutes.Perhaps you should see Dave Aldous, it's what he's there for and you don't want F Stone banging on about uninsured road users again, thats how they made Gavin pedal off into the sunset with tears running down his face!

G Lord ● 5977d

have I been banging on? If so apologies.

J Smith ● 5977d

Jean, this might be of use to you:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring/owningavehicle/untaxedvehicle/dg_4022073

G Lord ● 5977d

I know for a fact that if the vehicle is untaxed the owner will get a fine from the DVLA within 3 months. I know this because my van was in the garage for 4 months being repaired (long story) and I couldn’t MOT it because of the work being done. So no MOT no Tax and I didn’t SORN it so I received a fine for £80.00. But the nice people at the DVLA reduced this to £40.00 after hearing the circumstances. These vehicles may not be registered at address where parked so it would be difficult for the DVLA to locate them. There was also a car parked in my street a couple of years ago with no tax if I remember correctly there is a telephone number to ring the council to remove dumped cars.

Tony Maxey ● 5977d

I have done all I can will just let the Law take it's course, unfortunately it is exceedingly slow.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5976d

Apologies for being pedantic, but it's "flout", not "flaunt".

Bryan Betts ● 5975d

I know I should have typed 'flout' not 'flaunt' - done in haste. Anyway I am sure those who read my post would know what I meant!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5975d

I notice that the various abandoned minibuses, converted ambulances and the like used by our visitors from down under as a one-way ticket are now being targeted for removal. At what cost, I wonder?!

Len Worrall ● 5975d

Re  This particular vehicle was reported in April but the driver is obviously ignoring the warnings!          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    maybe not Jean, probably hasn't had any warnings cos if you phone the appropriate  line and report an untaxed vehicle, they want to know where it is and say they will IN TIME  send someone to it, that time can be quite lengthy. So when they get round to it, it ain't there. Why they won't deal with it by post to the last person registered as the owner and to their address I do not know. But by waiting for many days or even weeks before they act, the bird has flown.

Tony Price ● 5974d

Re  why not report them again to the police           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      no tax is a Customs and Excise transgression and not a criminal act, thus the Police are very often not interested

Tony Price ● 5974d

Re No Tax does void the insurance regardless of it thats paid.           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      are you sure of that, what makes you say so. Engaging in a criminal act can let some insurers avoid a policy, not many, mainly Lloyds Underwriters, classic example driving under the influence, so if  the person with whom you have an accident  is insured at Lloyds, think before calling the Police if you suspect the third party of being under the influence of drink or drugs but no tax is not a criminal offence.

Tony Price ● 5974d

Re  Surely this just means that drivers are paying extra on insurance        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx used to be 4% but now with  the vast increase in uninsured drivers, that %  is much higher. Just another advantage of mass immigration. I think it is thought 20% of cars on the road are uninsured, in London much higher. Used to be a rarity as was hit and run which now is quite common.

Tony Price ● 5974d

Actually I have checked with one regarding the Car Tax issue and car insurance. If you have an accident and you don't have car tax then your insurers will not pay your claim as at the time of the incident the car was illegally being driven and therefore the policy would not be valid.

J Smith ● 5974d

Re  illegally being driven and therefore the policy would not be valid.          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  I must confess Fred I am surprised to " learn " this. Road tax is a Customs and Excise matter and non payment is not a criminal offence. Not having an M o T is another matter and a criminal offence. My own insurer now excludes the getting of  a vehicle that has been impounded by a Govt. body out which  belongs to another person, as I did 2 years ago for my No. 1 Chinese friend. I have told him I won't be able to help him that way again, he relies on me for many types of " rescues ". I will check with my insurer re this untaxed angle.

Tony Price ● 5974d

Re I will check with my insurer re this untaxed angle.             xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx have done so and answer as I expected, no  R F L not in itself a reason to invalidate a policy but further enquiries would probably be made as to why no tax. If because no M O T, different matter and would most likely be invalidated because of the latter, but not re no tax itself. One is a " criminal " matter, one is not. And avoidable at Insurer's choice, not mandatory, depends on circs.

Tony Price ● 5969d

"used to be 4% but now with  the vast increase in uninsured drivers, that %  is much higher. Just another advantage of mass immigration."Christ on a crutch! Is there no issue that Tony Price will not turn into a rant about immigration?

Robin Taylor ● 5969d

Oh for crying out loud! Will you both stop sniping at each other. Haven't you got anything else better to do? You both are like a couple of 3 year olds - wait a minute, 3 year olds are better behaved than the both of you.

J Smith ● 5969d