August 29, 2008

The DVLA have made two changes to the law regarding VED renewal.  As a result car buyers will be able to buy their tax on-line earlier,  but if they are tight for time to pay day, will have the flexibilty to tax their car later. 

The first of the changes has come about because DVLA has found that towards the end of the month, many motorists taxing their vehicle online or by phone do not complete the purchase when they realise that their tax disc may not be received in time for the 1st of the following month.

In order to make the service more useful for the public, from the 1st of September 2008, those buying their vehicle tax online, by phone or by post will be able to legally continue to drive their vehicles for up to 5 days while they wait for their new tax disc to arrive. This grace period is only applicable where the new tax disc has been applied for before the current one expires; motorists should continue to display the expired disc on their vehicle, until the new one arrives. This will give a greater flexibility to those motorists who have to leave buying their tax disc until the last day of the month, because they are waiting to be paid. They can now still do that, but also get the benefits of taxing online, by phone or by post.

The second change sees motorists now able to buy their vehicle tax disc from the 5th day of the month that their current disc is due to expire in, rather then the 15th as previous rules dictated.  This new procedure has been implimented following feedback from the motoring public, which has shown an increasing demand, especially since the advent of electronic vehicle licensing, for motorists to be allowed to re-license earlier in the month.

There is also the added incentive that currently, anyone using DVLA’s electronic licensing service gets entered into a free prize draw to win a brand new car.
 
Andrew Rhodes, DVLA Customer Services Director, said “These new customer service improvements show that DVLA listens and responds to the motoring public’s needs. It makes sense to be able to buy your tax disc throughout the month, and we are pleased to offer a service that may help our customers manage their monthly outgoings.”

To renew vehicle tax or SORN quickly and easily, log onto: www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc or phone 0870 850 4444 or textphone 0870 850 4445

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