300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
MID check used to be part of the tax renewal, but isn't at present. But all the other reasons are valid why you need to do it annually.
you mean, because its the rules and otherwise would be illegal
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Why? Insurance has been a requirement of getting a tax disc since I have been getting tax discs?
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
I think it caused problems with the mass adoption and push to direct debit and auto re-new tax, as you can pay monthly, 6 monthly or 12 monthly by direct debit these days. The requirement is still there and you are essentially "signing" or declaring it is insured and in-line with all other roadworthiness requirements. But the check for the insurance isn't there any longer.
I think it caused too many issues with the tax renewals being cancelled and then needing re-setting up. As the MID can take several days to update and not all vehicles will actually show on MID.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
That does little to alter my belief that the paper discs were a better system than electronic means.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
In some ways yes. Although with connected computer systems it is easy to get all that info from the registration plate these days. Anyone enforcing or needing to know if a vehicle is taxed, insured, MoT'd etc can check in seconds via an online portal.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
If they have signal, if they can be bothered, if they can work the device, and it has charge in it's battery.
In many areas of the UK, mobile signal is still quite poor, sometimes no existent in the more remote places, or in valleys.
And in the old days, plenty of untaxed vehicles were reported by neighbours or just general busybodies.
I doubt if even the most determined do gooder walks along the road checking all the plates in the road as they go.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Although ironically that isn't there job. I'd imagine the number reported and actually actioned was a very small percentage of the total number of vehicles on the road. And would likely require the expense of people to follow up on such reports, of which I'd guess a lot were false or just someone trying to cause trouble.
The DVLA and other authorities have plenty of ways to check vehicles, they really don't need vigilante style people who don't work for them.
As for phone signal. Well I've been to Wales twice this year on Land Rover adventures. And in the middle of know where I've often had way better signal than I get at home, 50 miles from London.
Probably also worth mentioning access to colour photocopiers or printers is a lot easier these days. Printing a 'fake' tax disc would be no bother to fool the wannabe do gooders.
The DVLA and other authorities have plenty of ways to check vehicles, they really don't need vigilante style people who don't work for them.
As for phone signal. Well I've been to Wales twice this year on Land Rover adventures. And in the middle of know where I've often had way better signal than I get at home, 50 miles from London.
Probably also worth mentioning access to colour photocopiers or printers is a lot easier these days. Printing a 'fake' tax disc would be no bother to fool the wannabe do gooders.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
My mate and I used to look for untaxed vehicles around London, and watch them for a while, see if they moved, or were unattended for a long time.
If they didn't, and ended up covered in leaves over the winter, we used to write to DVLA, and ask if we could have them.
They would try and contact the owner, but if they couldn't, after a certain time, DVLA would write back and say we could remove them.
So we did, after which we used to get into them, assess their condition, and either weigh them in, or do them up, MOT them, and sell them.
An earner for us, and saved the council the cost of disposal.
