On 1 October, and after 93 years, vehicle owners will no longer be required to display their tax discs in the windscreen. Don’t get too excited though, the tax will still need to be paid, but the whole process is being moved online. Although there will no longer be a physical display, police officers will used number plate recognition to alert them to vehicles that are not taxed (or for that matter insured).
At the moment discs can only be purchased for either 6 or 12 months. From 1 November there will be an option to pay by direct debit, although this will carry a 5% surcharge – well you wouldn’t expect the tax man to extend favourable credit terms would you!
When you come to sell your car, you will be able to get a refund for any full calendar months left on the car tax. Even if no refund is due, you MUST tell the DVLA if you sell your car. If you do not, you are liable for a fine of up to £1,000. Additionally you will remain responsible for taxing the vehicle even though you no longer own it, plus paying any fines chalked up by the new driver!
Importantly, remaining car tax no longer transfers from buyer to seller. Transfers have been abolished. From 1 October, car buyers will need to tax their new vehicle before they drive it home.
For further and fuller information of these change, visit the DVLA website.
