The referendum on Scottish independence has dominated the local news agenda in the United Kingdom. So much so that the abolition of the paper vehicle tax disc from 1st October 2014 has not been given due prominence.
From this date, the paper tax disc will no longer need to be displayed on a vehicle windscreen. If you have a tax disc with any months left to run after 1st October it can be removed and destroyed.
However, this change does not mean the end of vehicle tax which will still be needed to drive or keep a vehicle on the road. The DVLA will still send you a renewal reminder when your vehicle tax is due to expire.
There is a crucial change when someone buys a vehicle as the vehicle tax will no longer be transferrable. Instead, the buyer will need to get new vehicle tax before it can be used.
There are three methods to tax the vehicle:
– the New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) part of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) details can be entered online at https://www.gov.uk/tax-disc;
– or by using the automated phone service that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0300 123 4321;
– or by visiting a Post Office branch.
If you sell a vehicle after 1st October and you notify the DVLA, you will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax. There will no longer be the requirement to make a separate application for this.
In another change, there will be the facility to pay for vehicle tax by Direct Debit either on an annual, sixth monthly or monthly basis for vehicles that need to be taxed from 1st November 2014.
However, the Direct Debit option is not available for the first registration of a vehicle or for fleet schemes.
If you would like any further information on this or any other matter, please email welcome@cooperfaure.co.uk.