In short, I got a new car on Sunday, although it isn't taxed and is now stuck on my driveway (driven home on the dealers trade plates).

I went to tax it today for July, but was told I could only do it 2 days in advance as there is no current tax, which is fair enough. What I forgot to ask, and what I can't find on direct.gov is:

if I tax the car on the 29th/Wednesday, can I drive it then, or must I wait until the 1st July?

Never been in this situation before, and really too clued up on taxation laws!

Thanks,

Joe.

If you're taxing it for July, it'll be valid from 1st July so shouldn't be driven until then...

The bad thing is that the dealer could have done it from the day of delivery! I think the first time can be for 12 and a half months?

I think the first time can be for 12 and a half months?

I don't think that's the case - if a dealer taxes it mid-June 2011, the disc would have an expiry date of end of June 2012, ie. 11.5 months instead of 12.5. At least, that's how it's always been for me, unless I've just been screwed over for a month's tax by every car salesman I've ever dealt with.

No Rob, you are correct, there is no 12.5 month VED.

The dealer CAN tax a car in the final week of the month and you DON'T loose that month so if you tax it for 12 month you get 53 weeks for the price of 52

If you're taxing it for July, it'll be valid from 1st July so shouldn't be driven until then...

Didn't know that, i've always put my new tax disc in as soon as i've got it. But i usually leave the old one in the holder behind the new one.

In short, I got a new car on Sunday, although it isn't taxed and is now stuck on my driveway (driven home on the dealers trade plates).

No Rob, you are correct, there is no 12.5 month VED.

I've got to own up to a mistake in saying that the first road tax can be 12.5 months when it can actually be 12 months and 3 weeks! :moon:

This can of course only be done via the dealer and online (using AFRL) upon first registration.

The dealer CAN tax a car in the final week of the month and you DON'T lose that month so if you tax it for 12 month you get 53 weeks for the price of 52

Thanks for the confirmation Andy but like me you under estimated the dates slightly! I also think you have to pay for the extra weeks but it's sometimes beneficial to do things this way.

I'm half expecting Triggster replying and saying that the car wasn't actually brand new after all.

Ok, thanks all. Not what I wanted to hear, but never mind, just have to wait a bit longer. :(

And no, it's not brand new! I'm only a 20 y/o student after all, no way I could afford to spend that much and remain debt free!