Overhaulin'

if i buy car tax online, can i still drive it without it being displayed while i wait?

i have no tax, and have to wait for the insurance documents to come through, can i buy tax online and not display the disk until it arrives? or will i still get pulled and fined? thanks

Public Comments

1. You should get an online receipt with a transaction number on it to print out after you pay the taxes online.
2. Not sure but Delboy did it all the time with his "Tax in the post" sign in his windscreen!
3. The only time you can do that is at the start of the month after your tax has run out when you are doing it on line with a reminder- and then for 5 days only. If you drive without the disc you can still be done for failure to display.
4. It is an offence to have a vehicle on the road that is not displaying a valid tax disk. You have to wait until it arrives.
5. Legally, it is an offence not to display a current road fund licence. (in the correct position on the screen). No excuses. Just hope for a policeman with a bit of common sense and compassion. (There are some).
6. I always leave it untill the day my tax runs out as i never have any money untill the 1st of the month! If you get pulled over and have an out of date tax disc the police can check to see if yours is still pending.
7. You will be OK. If your insurance has not been recorded and you have no MOT when you should have the process will not allow you to continue. If all things are OK then you will have no problem. Print off the transaction.
8. No, don't just take my word for it, here is the offical answer: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10034732