The Car tax disc is to be scrapped after 93 years

The problem is no one likes change.

I frankly am glad to be spared the annual wait in line on the last day of the month to acquire a tax disc and have been more than happy to pay for it online in recent years..some changes are very much an improvement.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Taf

ANPR, plus the new rules allowing police (and probably "agents of the police") to fine motorists automatically for things like lane-hogging, tailgating, etc., etc. will see coffers swell I reckon.

They've hardly gone nuts with the new powers since having them.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/ryed...enalty_powers/

North Yorkshire Police officers handed out 48 notices for offences such as dangerous overtaking and failing to give way at a junction, not staying in the correct lane and “careless manoeuvres” between August and June.

So roughly 1 a week for a single force, with processing costs it's not exactly going to wipe out the UK deficit anytime soon.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by richard s

Quite right Ben it will be interesting, also if you use the Dartford Crossing in Kent, from October 1st the barriers will be gone and you will have to book text, e-mail, phone to pay for the crossing. Camera number plate recognition will be inforce.

Wonderful, look forward to that

[Qtx]

The Dartford crossing was only supposed to have a toll for access until the bridge was paid for. That target was hit a couple of years ago so really they shouldn't be charging for that at all.

All the ANPR tracking stuff makes me want to clone a number plate, just to avoid another ways our lives are indiscriminately logged and added to databases and tracked.

[rhyds]

The tax disc's end has come. As it stands its been legal to drive for up to 5 days at the start of the month on your old tax disc if you've ordered one online for a fair while now.

MOTs have gone the same way. Now that they're fully computerised the MOT "certificate" is simply a printed receipt now.

[blackthorn]

Originally Posted by Qtx

The Dartford crossing was only supposed to have a toll for access until the bridge was paid for. That target was hit a couple of years ago so really they shouldn't be charging for that at all.

All the ANPR tracking stuff makes me want to clone a number plate, just to avoid another ways our lives are indiscriminately logged and added to databases and tracked.

The original Mersey tunnel was meant to be free donkeys years ago when it was paid for but never happened.
They are building a second bridge at Runcorn and when thats finished there will be a toll over both Runcorn bridges. So any of us over here will have to pay to get into Liverpool unless we go on a huge detour via the motorway.

[AndyCambs]

Downside is of course that the lack of a valid VEL can only be detected cameras now and not by local beat bobbies. Lack of VEL isn't a huge problem but it's indicative of possible uninsured cars and cars without MOT.

[rhyds]

Originally Posted by AndyCambs

Downside is of course that the lack of a valid VEL can only be detected cameras now and not by local beat bobbies. Lack of VEL isn't a huge problem but it's indicative of possible uninsured cars and cars without MOT.

A simple radio call can check if a car's Taxed, MOT'd or Insured.

Indeed, anyone with a smartphone can check all three of those on any car in minutes.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by rhyds

A simple radio call can check if a car's Taxed, MOT'd or Insured.

Indeed, anyone with a smartphone can check all three of those on any car in minutes.

askMID isn't always 100% accurate though.

[rhyds]

Originally Posted by Russ

askMID isn't always 100% accurate though.

That is true, but neither is a traditional tax disc at indicating valid insurance. You can easily buy a 6/12 month tax disc with only weeks/days of MOT and insurance remaining.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by rhyds

A simple radio call can check if a car's Taxed, MOT'd or Insured.

And how does the cop decide which car to do a check on? If only there was some form of visual way to check, maybe a small paper disc that could be displayed in the windscreen.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by rhyds

That is true, but neither is a traditional tax disc at indicating valid insurance. You can easily buy a 6/12 month tax disc with only weeks/days of MOT and insurance remaining.

You don't even have to have valid insurance to get a tax disk, just the certificate. Dishonest people have been getting away with that for years.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Derek

And how does the cop decide which car to do a check on? If only there was some form of visual way to check, maybe a small paper disc that could be displayed in the windscreen.

I think the point is that you don't. the more illegal cars brought back on the roads under cover the better. they're now having to buy fuel and all the rest that comes with motoring. they will boost the economy by spending money that they may not have spent before when they weren't using the car.

call it an amnesty.
only, when you get caught you pay some money.

[arcimedes]

Originally Posted by Derek

And how does the cop decide which car to do a check on? If only there was some form of visual way to check, maybe a small paper disc that could be displayed in the windscreen.

I have within the last 3 months seen the police sitting at the side of the road with an ANPR camera and then all the number plates will be run through the DVLA computer.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by arcimedes

I have within the last 3 months seen the police sitting at the side of the road with an ANPR camera and then all the number plates will be run through the DVLA computer.

And?

My point is a tax disc of a parked car provides a myriad of information about the vehicle and can prompt further digging. ANPR cameras won't do this and can be bypassed remarkably easily.