How long (really) to register imported car for VRT?

jpogorman

Hi,

I imported a car over the weekend from England. I know I should VRT register it within 24 hours or something but how long can you get away with this before there may be fines etc?

I am hoping to leave it a month or two. It will be off the road for that time.

Ta,
JP

bazz26

The letter of the law states that VRT must be paid on the car by the next working day.

Not sure on how this is looked upon if the car is locked up and not in use prior to paying VRT.

jpogorman

I read an old post where somebody said they registered a week after import and there was no mention of any issue. That was not the focus of the port though.

Anan1

jpogorman wrote: »

Hi,

I imported a car over the weekend from England. I know I should VRT register it within 24 hours or something but how long can you get away with this before there may be fines etc?

I am hoping to leave it a month or two. It will be off the road for that time.

Ta,
JP

If the car is locked away on private property then you will probably be fine. Other than that, you risk having the car impounded at any time.

Its really down to how long you want to chance it for. I have been 7 months on UK plates(until last week, well Im still on UK plates but the car is registered) and I know someone who has been 1.5 years on UK plates and has no intention of registering the car. We both have UK licenses though so that helps although I only went through one checkpoint in the 7 months and I do a lot of driving as does my friend who is on the road everyday and has also only been stopped once in 1 and a half years.

-Chris-

As bazz says, it's next working day.

Asking "how long can I get away with it?" is akin to asking
"how much above the speed limit do I need to be to get caught?"
"how many traffic lights am I allowed to break at 4am before I'll get done for it?" or
"how much can I steal from a shop before they'll catch me?".

There's no set time limit, you're either operating legally or you're not. Some people will tell you you'll get away with it for weeks. They can't guarantee that for you.

jpogorman

Thanks for the replies. Again, I won't be driving the car until I go to register so I'm more worried about a fine if I register it in 2 weeks.

Anan1

jpogorman wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Again, I won't be driving the car until I go to register so I'm more worried about a fine if I register it in 2 weeks.

You won't be fined when you register it, as long as you're not caught with the car in a public place you should be ok. Just don't be tempted to drive it before you've paid the VRT.

cian1500ww

We brought in a car a few weeks ago but didn't register it until two weeks after it was got because there was some work to be done with it. Got it registered no bother.

jpogorman

Thank guys. That what I thought. I just need a little time to get organised and get money together so I'll be doing it within the next week or two. It is difficult not to drive it but I will be strong!

jimmycrackcorm

The real answer is you have until you get caught. The VRT offices don't know when you imported the car. So it's basically down to the customs or Gardai noting that the reg has appeared a few times. Beware those new ANPR cars - one caught a friend out.

mumof2

Anan1 wrote: »

You won't be fined when you register it, as long as you're not caught with the car in a public place you should be ok. Just don't be tempted to drive it before you've paid the VRT.

How is one supposed to get the car down from the North or over the water from England after the ferry trip etc, - on the back of a trailer????
I would have thought that youd get grace of a few days anyhow.........that is if you can show your paperwork of course........???

Anan1

mumof2 wrote: »

How is one supposed to get the car down from the North or over the water from England after the ferry trip etc, - on the back of a trailer????
I would have thought that youd get grace of a few days anyhow.........that is if you can show your paperwork of course........???

You do, you get until the next business day after importation.

lifer_sean

Without registering the car you are breaking the law and could be pulled at any time. It doesn't matter that the car is off the roard (other than the fact that there is less chance of being caught). You could also be reported by one of your neighbours.

I had a car outside my house for 5-6 wks waiting for a duplicate V5. I live in the middle of noplace with a 5 foot wall around the garden. Customs came out and hassled me about the car, even though I have a TAN number and was authorised to have the car on UK plates.

Seth Brundle

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

The VRT offices don't know when you imported the car.

Didn't legislation not come in on Jan 1st stipulating that you had to show when the car was brought in?

If I'm correct then they will know once you approach them. However, they may be just so desperate for the cash that they don't say anything.

badabinbadaboom

I'd chance it for longer if it was a good clean looking car, but if it was a van are something a bit rough I wouldnt chance it.

If the car looks rough they might expect it to be un-roadworthy an as you wont have nct'd i if its a van they might think your a knacker

Voodoomelon

I drove mine for a day or two without bringing it through and the Guards pulled up infront of me when I was parked one night and took all my details. I told them I only had it a few days and I had the reciept in the boot if they wanted to see it. They weren't too bothered at all, I think they took my information just to make sure I did bring it through eventually.

Anan1

badabinbadaboom wrote: »

I'd chance it for longer if it was a good clean looking car, but if it was a van are something a bit rough I wouldnt chance it.

If the car looks rough they might expect it to be un-roadworthy an as you wont have nct'd i if its a van they might think your a knacker

Indeed.

Vim Fuego

A few things that happened to me in relation to VRT.

1/ Brought the car in last month, brought it to the VRO on the next day. Took over a month for Rosslare to come back with a quote which was well lower than I was expecting. So you might not have to pay straight away even if you are following the letter of the law. Even then, the OMSP could be dropped.

2/ Stopped at a garda checkpoint last Saturday morning along the grand canal, had all my documents by my side, expecting the guard to ask me about the VRT, but saw the valid insurance disc (I presume) and wasn't too interested, just waved me on.

So, you never know. I'm looking forward to not travelling with all my documents soon, keep expecting to be questioned at some point.

jhegarty

kbannon wrote: »

Didn't legislation not come in on Jan 1st stipulating that you had to show when the car was brought in?

If I'm correct then they will know once you approach them. However, they may be just so desperate for the cash that they don't say anything.

How could you prove when your brought it in ?

-Chris-

jhegarty wrote: »

How could you prove when your brought it in ?

Receipt from the person you bought it from, ferry tickets, money trail out of your bank account to them etc.

boomboombazza

leave it as long as possible. at least until the end of the quarter (march) when the values of cars will be adjusted down a bit.

my mate hasn't VRT'd his car since importing 1.5 years ago. if he vrt'd it today he'd save 7 grand over the VRT from 1.5 years ago:eek:

jhegarty

AudiChris wrote: »

Receipt from the person you bought it from, ferry tickets, money trail out of your bank account to them etc.

How about I drove from the north and there is no obligation to import it the day you buy it.

Anan1

jhegarty wrote: »

How about I drove from the north and there is no obligation to import it the day you buy it.

How about you drove in from the North and you can't prove you only brought it in the previous day?;)

Seth Brundle

jhegarty wrote: »

How about I drove from the north and there is no obligation to import it the day you buy it.

For all we know they may contact the DVLA for the transfer date submitted!
The onus AFAIK is on the person registering the car!