Vehicle Tax

Hunter S

Approx a month ago a friends car was taken at a Garda checkpoint for non payment of tax. Mainly because he couldn't afford the back tax and impounding charge and daily charge the car is still there and because of its low value he don't intend to claim it back. I was wondering if anyone could answer the questions below as i've done a good bit of research and cant find any information specifically on these questions

1) Should he formally inform the Garda that he doesnt intend to get car back?

2) Is he liable for impounding and daily charges?

3) He believes 'the vehicle will be destroyed' if he don't claim it back.
Could he be liable for any cost here?

Paulw

My understanding is that he should inform the Gardai that he will not be claiming back the vehicle, and it will then be crushed. I don't believe there will be any further cost to him.

He should call his local Garda station for clarification.

Croc

As far as i know he will have to sign a consent form allowing them to dispose of it

Hunter S

Thanks guys

timmywex

Paulw wrote: »

My understanding is that he should inform the Gardai that he will not be claiming back the vehicle, and it will then be crushed. I don't believe there will be any further cost to him.

He should call his local Garda station for clarification.

He signs a diclaimer basically that hands the car over to property of the gardai, who will then crush it

Wishbone Ash

timmywex wrote: »

He signs a diclaimer basically that hands the car over to property of the gardai, who will then crush it

Surely the state/Gardai should pursue the offender for the outstanding tax and disposal fee?

It's totally unfair that the compliant tax payer has, as usual, to foot the bill for these offenders.

Tipsy Mac

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Surely the state/Gardai should pursue the offender for the outstanding tax and disposal fee?

It's totally unfair that the compliant tax payer has, as usual, to foot the bill for these offenders.

I suppose but if you look at it that the car is now off the road and person will likely tell another 20 people of what happened, thus discouraging more people from attempting it. This new ANPR onboard garda cars that checks number plates against a road tax and insurance database will likely take 1000's of dodgers off the roads.

Wishbone Ash

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

I suppose but if you look at it that the car is now off the road and person will likely tell another 20 people of what happened, thus discouraging more people from attempting it

I beg to differ.

He/she will tell others that the best thing to do is to buy an old car, don't bother with tax/NCT and if it's impounded, so what, let it go.

Personally, I'd hold them liable for all fees, revoke their licence and if they wish to renew it, they will be obliged to pay outstanding fees first. I would also set up a 'blacklist' of people that insurance companies may not provide cover without prior authority from the Gardai.

Now, I know you are going to say that they simply won't bother with licence or insurance, well then, if caught, lifetime ban from driving with 3 months in prison.

Let them spread than around their mates!

TheNog

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Surely the state/Gardai should pursue the offender for the outstanding tax and disposal fee?

It's totally unfair that the compliant tax payer has, as usual, to foot the bill for these offenders.

Best practice in my district anyways is:

if you dont take the car a FCPS is issued which is a €60 fine

if you do take the car the driver is then summonsed to court where we tell the judge the car was reclaimed with whatever fee was paid or if the car was crushed. The judge can then fine the driver whatever amount he/she wants to.

Also I have noticed a dramatic increase in people turning away from checkpoints because they have no tax. Thats a very very bad idea and we are more than wise to it.

sunnyjim

Nog, a friend of mine did that a while ago on the Grace Pk Road. They caught her quick enough... She did it because she only had a provisional though!

Our man in Havana

Unless there are a few members on a checkpoint, chasing turn aways would mean the abandoning of the checkpoint to give chase.

Are turn aways that common? Is there a specific offence committed by turning away.

Hooch

Bond-007 wrote: »

Unless there are a few members on a checkpoint, chasing turn aways would mean the abandoning of the checkpoint to give chase.

Are turn aways that common? Is there a specific offence committed by turning away.

Very common and yes it is normally abandoned. Turn abouts are considered high risk for obvious reasons, so all members normally pursue the vehicle in case things turn nasty.

No specific offence. Failing to stop (Section 109 RTA), obstruction of member in course of duties (section 19 CJ Public order Act) and depending on the drivers actions a prosecution for driving without due care, carless driving and dangerous driving (Section 51a, 52 or 53 RTA) These are offences that can be considered but never really pursued.

In my experience people who turn from C/Ps turn for small offences (greater offenders usually driving through the C/P at speed), and usually these people are prosecuted when in fact if they came up to C/P and explained their story they would more than likely be let go!!

Victor

Many cars are sold. Its only the ones that don't sell are crushed.

TheNog

sunnyjim wrote: »

Nog, a friend of mine did that a while ago on the Grace Pk Road. They caught her quick enough... She did it because she only had a provisional though!

There are a number of reasons why people turn away from a checkpoint from no tax to them being criminals. When we see someone turn away we have no idea why but we do know something is definitely not right.

Bond-007 wrote: »

Are turn aways that common? Is there a specific offence committed by turning away.

Up to the beginning of this year we found it quite rare in my part of the country. Now it is very likely. In one day during 3 checkpoints, we had 5 cars turn away from us.

MariMel

TheNog.....

You seem to be a man in the know so to speak, so I have a question if you can answer it for me.

A friend had their car taken off them at a checkpoint back at the end of november, they had no tax displayed nor had a licence with them.
As we were travelling in a group of cars I was driving behind them in the checkpoint and was asked to verify the name and address of my friend.
At the time my friend didnt have the money to claim back the car and when they did the impound fee had gone up (as it does daily) so they werent actually able to afford to get it. They were lead to believe that the car would be crushed after 6 weeks.

I was in the car behind them the evening this happened and since then they have heard absolutely nothing about the car.....any fees they may have to pay in relation or any prosecution arising from the incident.

Its been over 7 months and its still in the back of their head that some day a summons will arrive.
Surely issues like this take less than 7 months to deal with?????

TheNog

MariMel wrote: »

TheNog.....

You seem to be a man in the know so to speak, so I have a question if you can answer it for me.

A friend had their car taken off them at a checkpoint back at the end of november, they had no tax displayed nor had a licence with them.
As we were travelling in a group of cars I was driving behind them in the checkpoint and was asked to verify the name and address of my friend.
At the time my friend didnt have the money to claim back the car and when they did the impound fee had gone up (as it does daily) so they werent actually able to afford to get it. They were lead to believe that the car would be crushed after 6 weeks.

I was in the car behind them the evening this happened and since then they have heard absolutely nothing about the car.....any fees they may have to pay in relation or any prosecution arising from the incident.

Its been over 7 months and its still in the back of their head that some day a summons will arrive.
Surely issues like this take less than 7 months to deal with?????

Any fees for crushing a car is picked up by the State.

Normally a court appearance would be within 6 months but a Garda has up to 6 months to have a summons issued for your friend. Unfortunately there is still time for a summons to arrive at your friends address.