Comments | johnckirk: Getting a free ride?

johnckirk

Getting a free ride?

Dec 06, 2012 00:44

I've just been watching the BBC program War on Britain's roads. It's not as sensationalist as I'd feared from the intro, although some people aren't happy with it (as reported in The Guardian). One of the videos showed a confrontation between a cyclist and a taxi driver, where the driver said "You don't pay your way." I assume that he was referring ( Read more... )

cycling, tax, theatre, insurance, driving

Comments 4

stagknight December 6 2012, 21:30:10 UTC

That said, I do think it's a bit unfair for drivers to pay tax on vehicles that are sitting idle.

From Wikipedia on VET:
A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) must be made for a registered vehicle that is not being used on the road, and which has been taxed since 31 January 1998.

I believe these are free, and mean that you do not need a tax disc.

johnckirk December 6 2012, 21:32:18 UTC

As I understand it, the key phrase there is "Off Road". So, if you've got your vehicle inside a garage, that's fine, and you don't need a VED disk. Howener, if you have your vehicle parked on the road outside your house then you do still need the disk.

susannahf December 7 2012, 08:43:08 UTC

It would be unenforceable if you could have it parked on the road outside your house. Frankly, if you're really not using a vehicle, the only reason to keep it is for sentimental value (e.g. it's a classic car), in which case, it probably is in a garage, or at least off road.

johnckirk December 7 2012, 08:58:42 UTC

Yes, I agree with that. That's basically why I got rid of my motorbike in 2008: I hadn't used it in over a year, but it was still costing me money (VED, insurance, MOT).