Fined for not Displaying Tax -_-

tom275 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 May 2012 Karma :

My tax disc fell off last week, the actual tax disc holder fell apart so that's no lie! The tax needed renewing at the end of the month anyway so I just bought the new tax and was waiting for it in the post.

As luck would have it I bumped into a policeman who waved me in on the roadside because "my exhaust made it sound like I was going to fast" I wasn't, it was the town centre...

Anyway he gave me an on the spot fine for not displaying a valid tax disc. I get home and there's my new tax disc waiting for me on the doorstep :/

The other part of the story though is that the tyre is on the limit, and was booked in the next day to have the tyre replaced and for its MOT. Its only just on the limit though and he had to call another "vehicle specialist" to confirm. He didn't fine me but did give me a prohib on the bike and let me push it to the garage round the corner where it was booked in. Which is kind of fair cop I guess so Il take that on the chin.

I was very polite and must have passed the "attitude test" because he even gave me a ride home!So I thought it would have just been a warning about the tax.

Can I appeal against such nonsense?

Speed · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Karma :

Surely they can check with the DVLA and see that it is taxed and that it clearly came off when riding. Surely there should be some lenience with regards to displaying a tax disc on a bike as its not as secure as the inside of a windscreen of a locked car.

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

When did he stop you? You have a 5 day grace period at the end of the month (as long as you have bought the tax disk online before it ran out) where you don't have to display a tax disk.
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map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

daemonoid · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

5 Working days at the start of the month. That means you have until today. If you purchased before the 1st of September, you can complain and get your fine refunded. If you didn't purchase until later, your case may not be so strong as although thE tax disc is backdated, you may not have been continuously covered.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Did he really?

I was under the impression that the police were no longer enforcing failure to display a tax disc.

Any time I've been stopped without a disc on (I never display a disc), they simply said they were reporting it to the DVLA.

A photo/scan of the paperwork they gave you would be interesting.
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johnsmith222 · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Karma :

As I said in the other thread about tax. I got done for failure to display last week.

"I am charging you with failure to display. anything you say may be used against...."

That was along with being charged with speeding.

This was in Scotland.

To quote myself in the other thread. "don't give them it on a plate like I did.".

You are relying on a traffic copper not to use his power to give you an FPN or charge you with it. Considering how many traffic cops don't know the meaning of common sense or being reasonable I'd suggest you don't give them the power to do you for that extra thing.

Common sense doesn't come into the law. Especially when it can be used to generate more money.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Snorty · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Oct 2010 Karma :

Sounds like he was trying to save face after not being able to collar you for speeding.

I got stopped for not displaying tax, and not having tax (wasn't showing up on the ANPR), I was also speeding - "I thought it was 40 on here officer!" - despite doing around 50 and still accelerating when I saw blues and twos.

"All I care about is that you're insured... that's the main thing for me, the tax is the council's problem" (Not displaying, I showed him printoff that I'd applied for one).
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WannaBeDude · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2011 Karma :

Where in the opinion of the constable that the vehicle is apparently so defective that it ought not to be allowed to proceed without a test been carried out, he may require the test to be carried out forthwith.

Rolling Eyes

their version of so defective will be blah blah blah Rolling Eyes

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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Marmalade · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Karma :

johnsmith222 · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Karma :

People need to bear in mind that experiences with police officers that have shown common sense does not have any impact on "failure to display" from being a law and it doesn't remove their power to do you for it.

Again, Why give it to them on a plate?

tom275 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 May 2012 Karma :

I think it was just a case of I'l do you for the no tax but not for the tyre, less paperwork, and actually I come out better off though.

Of course I'd still rather not pay at all so its probably worth going to court. If I lose in court will they charge me more for expenses etc? If they don't then its worth a punt!

The paperwork is like a Council issued parking ticket, the fine is £60. I've read in most places the fine is only £30

Snorty · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Oct 2010 Karma :

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

OP, what day last week did you get pulled? If it was Monday-Friday it'll still be August, so if your new online purchased tax disc runs from Sept 1st 2012 to Aug 31st 2013 it would have still been 'invalid' if it was displayed as it wasn't in date yet.

Still a load of bollocks getting done for it though.

tom275 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 May 2012 Karma :

I was pulled on the 5th of September, the new tax disc was purchased on the 31st August.

So does that mean I was still inside the 5day grace period?

natefz6 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Karma :

If the tax is not on the bike but the bike is taxed could you not just say "It was there officer somebody must have nicked it after I checked it this morning.... I would like to report a crime please"
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MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

tom275 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 May 2012 Karma :

Well, just been on the phone to the "Central Ticketing Office" and it looks like I can get the fixed penalty cancelled because of the 5 day grace Very Happy

Thanks for advice, I will update in due course

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :