Driving test thursday.... Tax renewal

winston82

Just a quick one. I have my test on thursday but my car tax is out from 1st of feb. I want to pay for it online in the morning. If my tax disc doesnt arrive in the post by thursday will they still let me sit the test? If it has not arrived will they accept the print off to say its been paid for?

absurdtrivia

They should accept it, but you can never tell. You may get some fuddy duddy tester who's a stickler for the rules. A printout is not really proof that you're tax is paid as it can be easily forged.

Personally, i wouldn't chance it. I'd call to the motor tax office and do it in person.

Orla K

Something similar happened to my brother but his was with the insurance. He thought it was out at the end of the month but it was out at the start. He could have rang up the insurance crowd and renew it there and then but in the testers words "Your lucky I'm even letting you drive home" There was no way of him doing that test without the thing in the window.

Permabear

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DriveSkill

Just to confirm you need an actual tax disc, insurance disc and NCT disc (if applicable) and they all need to be in date on the day of the driving test - no receipts, photocopies, letters etc are acceptable. If not present when then tester comes to check them at the car he will abandon the test at that point and you will need to re-apply again (including paying the fee again).

So, you need to get to you Motor Tax office and try and collect the tax disc in person. It too risky doing it online as it may not arrive by Thur.

winston82

Thanks for the replies lads. Gonna head over to the motor tax office this morning. Cheers

brian076

DriveSkill wrote: »

Just to confirm you need an actual tax disc, insurance disc and NCT disc (if applicable) and they all need to be in date on the day of the driving test - no receipts, photocopies, letters etc are acceptable. If not present when then tester comes to check them at the car he will abandon the test at that point and you will need to re-apply again (including paying the fee again).

So, you need to get to you Motor Tax office and try and collect the tax disc in person. It too risky doing it online as it may not arrive by Thur.

Just to put your mind at ease, while it's a legal requirement to have a current tax disc on the car the tester cannot refuse to take you out if your tax is out of date. The only 2 items they look for is a current ins disc and NCT if applicable.

seamus

brian076 wrote: »

Just to put your mind at ease, while it's a legal requirement to have a current tax disc on the car the tester cannot refuse to take you out if your tax is out of date. The only 2 items they look for is a current ins disc and NCT if applicable.

http://www.drivingtest.ie/finalchecks.pdf

You must have your vehicle in a state where it is legal to drive it on the road. Failure to do so, is a fail, for obvious reasons.
If you break the law while driving, you will fail your test, hence why they will fail you if you don't have an insurance disc, tax disc or NCT disc and if you have any lights blown or missing. Your car is technically not roadworthy without a valid tax disc (as in, it's not legal to be driven on the road), therefore you cannot do your test in it.

brian076

seamus wrote: »

http://www.drivingtest.ie/finalchecks.pdf

You must have your vehicle in a state where it is legal to drive it on the road. Failure to do so, is a fail, for obvious reasons.
If you break the law while driving, you will fail your test, hence why they will fail you if you don't have an insurance disc, tax disc or NCT disc and if you have any lights blown or missing. Your car is technically not roadworthy without a valid tax disc (as in, it's not legal to be driven on the road), therefore you cannot do your test in it.

While what you say may seem right I can assure you 100% that a tester cannot refuse to take you out if your tax is out of date. It may seem crazy but that's the way it is. Apparently someone brought a court case against the Dept. Transport some years ago and ever since the only grounds that a tester can refuse to take a car out is on health and safety, i.e. worn tyres, indicators/brake lights not working, no NCT etc.

seamus

brian076 wrote: »

While what you say may seem right I can assure you 100% that a tester cannot refuse to take you out if your tax is out of date. It may seem crazy but that's the way it is. Apparently someone brought a court case against the Dept. Transport some years ago and ever since the only grounds that a tester can refuse to take a car out is on health and safety, i.e. worn tyres, indicators/brake lights not working, no NCT etc.

Would you care to back this up? If health & safety is the only concern, then surely they can't refuse to bring you out if you don't have an insurance disc?

Permabear

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brian076

seamus wrote: »

Would you care to back this up? If health & safety is the only concern, then surely they can't refuse to bring you out if you don't have an insurance disc?

I was a driving tester up until last December, so I think I know what I'm talking about.

DriveSkill

I have to say I always thought that the tax disc was mandatory but I think I'll defer to Brian076 here and accept he is correct . I checked the Guidelines and there is a 'subtle difference' in how the tax disc requirement is worded - note the 'where it is necessary....' :

(b)

That the Insurance Disc is in order, (not A1, A, M or W). See Office Notice 11/93.
(c) That the N.C.T. Disc is in order, if required, (Cat. B, EB). See Office Notices 11/01 and 1/2002.

(d)
The Tax Disc, where it is necessary to establish the taxation class, or licence category. See Office

Permabear

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brian076

donegalfella wrote: »

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Yes it actually surprised most of us during training although I knew about it beforehand.
A couple of years ago while working as a driving instructor I bought a new car. A pupil was using it 2 days later for a test and I was naturally concerned that the tax disc wouldn't have arrived in time. A friend of mine had a brother who was working as a tester at the time and I checked it with him. He said it was ok, that they couldn't refuse to take the car out due to a court case which someone had taken against the Dept.
If the candidate was stopped by the Gardai that would be a matter between him and them we were told not to get involved, the same as if they were in an accident. In fact someone on their test could get stopped for speeding and still pass, which might surprise some people. If someone was doing 60 kmh in a 50 zone they would generally only receive a grade 2 fault (depending on the road, although we all know roads which are 50 but should be 60 ), however a Garda on a speed check may not see it that way and prosecute the driver, but that wouldn't result in an automatic fail.

winston82

I sorted this out today so have all in order. I also rang the Rsa to see if it was necessary and the guy said "yes, you will require a valid tax disc" but also said that it really depended on the tester on the day. But also said that it most certainly wouldn't be worth taking a chance.
On another note, I have 1 failed test already and 2 cancellations due to black ice on the roads. I think the chances are high i'll be heading for number 3!! Test is in Ballymun...
Do you think it will be cancelled again?? Is the weather going to be this crap all week?

brian076

I think there's a good chance that tests will be cancelled this week. The problem is that while the main roads might be clear, the manoeuvres are carried out in housing estates and these could be icy & dangerous, so the tester isn't going to take a chance.

wicklow joe

Just to confirm what brian said the Tester cannot refuse to carry out your test if you dont have tax on your car,

donegalfella Quote:
"Brian076, are you saying that in your official capacity as a tester, you were told to take people out on their driving tests regardless of whether they had a valid tax disc displayed? What would have happened had you and the applicant been stopped by the Gardaí?"

When i was training we were told we could not refuse to do a test because of not having a current tax disc,

On another point i have had guys come in for tests and there licence would be out of date, and they would drive away from the test centre, we were told it was none of our business, that we are not the gardai and what they do before or after the test is not or concern