Hi guys,

I'm due to pick my new car up new years eve, but the dealer is putting 6 months tax on starting from January the 1st....does this mean that I cannot drive it new years eve (making it pointless to pick up!) or is there a rule that allows you to drive it a couple of days early etc??

Thanks!!

I'd just drive it mate. Even if it wasn't taxed for the one day its not going to land you in prison

tax doesn't have a start date IIRC

tax doesn't have a start date IIRC

isn't that because you tax by the month?

Personally, i'd say you're technically breaking the law if you drive it. (That assumes it's sorn at the moment - it's possible it was taxed to the end of Dec already and the dealer is just "extending" the tax)

Enjoy it either way

It currently has no tax, as it is at a dealer. I'm just unsure as to whether it is legal to drive, as I can't afford a fine or points lol!!

It will be fine to drive as you can tax a vehicle 2 weeks before a month ends . This is why the reminders get sent out in the middle of the month.

I agree with yellow_vrs above, but you can now buy tax starting the next month from the first of the current month. It used to be from the 14th onwards but they have now removed that restriction.

Wish my dealer realised this when he taxed my car on 31st of the month and I collected it on the 2nd, therefore 'losing' a months tax in the process - nevermind though

The tax will run out at the end of June if it gets 6 months but you may find that as it has no tax on now you could lose a months tax?

It will be fine to drive though

It will be fine to drive as you can tax a vehicle 2 weeks before a month ends . This is why the reminders get sent out in the middle of the month.

yes that would be fine if your car was already currently taxed, but the op's car is not, remember it's also an offence to display a tax disc which is not currently in date yet

Check the small print on your insurance - much sure there's no getout clause about not being valid if the car is untaxed.

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Best bet, if you have any doubts is to contact the DVLA. They'll definately know.

Technically you will be untaxed on 31/12.

You buy the tax for 6 or 12 months, but the end is always the last day of the month.

You can buy a disc 2 weeks in advance, but it's 2 weeks in advance *of it coming into force* unless the car is already taxed.

Having said that, you'd have to be unlucky to get done.

edit: From Direct.gov.uk:

When to apply

If your tax is due to run out at the end of the month' date=' you can renew it from the fifth day of the month.

If your vehicle has been untaxed, because you’ve just bought it, the tax disc has run out or a SORN is in force, you can tax from the first day of the month in which you apply.

If you want the tax disc to start on the first day of the next calendar month, you cannot tax your vehicle more than two days in advance.

[/quote']

So if you want to be taxed on 31/12, you should tax it from 1/12.

Will the trader let you drive it home on trade plates?

Edited 29 December, 200817 yr by cjb

Check the small print on your insurance - much sure there's no getout clause about not being valid if the car is untaxed.

This is the answer

As for the two weeks previously I'd say that's fine if there is an existing tax disc, I think if you drive it that day and it's been SORN previously and you have a bump you will not be covered and open to all sorts of road law offences as well, you could arrange to have it at midnight, or get the dealer to drop it off on trade plates to you.

What you getting btw?

I agree with yellow_vrs above, but you can now buy tax starting the next month from the first of the current month. It used to be from the 14th onwards but they have now removed that restriction.

Wish my dealer realised this when he taxed my car on 31st of the month and I collected it on the 2nd, therefore 'losing' a months tax in the process - nevermind though

Mine did that. Taxed it on the 31st of the months when i was picking it up on the second. Muppets!

I would have thought it is illegal to drive but if a copper pulls you on new years eve and does you for no tax even though you have it taxed for the next 6 months, then they are a bit af an ar5e!!

They taxed it on the 30th, but the tax didn't start until today. I have the full 6 months!