Motor tax query

cjf97

Hi everyone.

I bought a car on the 14th of August. It had no tax, but I was told by the dealer that I would definitely have a week's grace period to tax the car. The car is now taxed and I've paid arrears on the tax for the month of August. However, I just got a Fixed Charged Notice from the guards dated the 20th of August. They say that my car was parked in a public place without displaying a tax disc. This is true, it was parked and had no tax disc. However, I'm wondering whether anyone knows if I'm liable to pay this fine seeing as I had sent off the tax form by the 20th of August, I just hadn't received the tax disc in the post yet.

Thank you in advance!

godtabh

The black and white of it is that if its not taxed you can get a ticket.

Maybe let it go to court and explain yourself knowing that everything was in order except the disk hadn't arrived.

toptom

You were caught. Deal with it and pay up.

bazz26

You were fined for not displaying a valid tax disc, this is not the same as being fined for not having your car taxed. They are two different offences. However you may be able to appeal your fine if you show them that the tax was paid. Not sure of the process though or how successful you would be.

filbert the fox

cjf97 wrote: »

Hi everyone.

I bought a car on the 14th of August. It had no tax, but I was told by the dealer that I would definitely have a week's grace period to tax the car. The car is now taxed and I've paid arrears on the tax for the month of August. However, I just got a Fixed Charged Notice from the guards dated the 20th of August. They say that my car was parked in a public place without displaying a tax disc. This is true, it was parked and had no tax disc. However, I'm wondering whether anyone knows if I'm liable to pay this fine seeing as I had sent off the tax form by the 20th of August, I just hadn't received the tax disc in the post yet.

Thank you in advance!

Surely you put a sign on your dashboard stating that the car was in the process of being taxed?

If not, in the absence of computerisation link ups, what can you expect?

Don't wait to go to court....ask at your local friendly Garda Station. They'll be glad to see you.:rolleyes:

*Kol*

If you have paid the arrears I would go to court and you will get off. You have to weigh up which is more of a hassle to you; paying the fine or going to court.

dodzy

toptom wrote: »

You were caught. Deal with it and pay up.

Great contribution there toptom.

OP, the purchase date of the car is your favour here, bigtime. Pop down to the local Garda station. Bring your documentation ( new registration certificate ) and new tax disc. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't brushed away there and then.

duffman3833

if you have proof of purchase of car you might be ok. GO to tax office and see have they a record of when the tax was renewed

Buffman

OP, As said above the dates mean you'll be ok. There's probably not a lot your local Garda station can do about it other than advise you to contact the Fixed Charge Processing Office.

Enquiries in relation to a Fixed Charge Offence
If you feel there has been an error with any details on the Fixed Charge Notice, then you should contact the Fixed Charge Processing Office by telephone at 1890 30 40 60 within Ireland or +353 504 59800 from outside the jurisdiction or by email at npo@garda.ie where you will be advised by a member of staff regarding your enquiry.
Please note: While such enquiry is being processed, the time periods involved for payment and nomination purposes as outlined in the Fixed Charge Notice are not suspended. This means that the time continues during the period that the enquiry is being conducted. Any problems or difficulties highlighted by the enquiry must be acted upon immediately by the person named in the Fixed Charge Notice and contact made with the Fixed Charge Processing Office as soon as practical

So I'd send them an email, basically saying what you said above in your post, with a scan of the tax disc and the Vehicle Registration Certificate you received which should show all the relevant dates.

cjf97

Thank you very much everyone for all your help. As Buffman suggested I contacted the Fixed Charge Processing Office. They told me fill in an FCN Cancellation Request Form, photocopy my tax disc and registration certificate and send it to them. The woman made it sound as though with the proper documentation they will definitely cancel the fine.
Thanks everyone!

Buffman

cjf97 wrote: »

The woman made it sound as though with the proper documentation they will definitely cancel the fine.

That's exactly what I expect will happen, so don't worry about it. At the end of the day you were caught up in the bureaucratic grey area that surrounds change of ownership and motor tax.

vectra

Happened me many moons ago.
Two fines
No tax
and
No tax displayed.

I wrote a letter to the super in the garda station informing him I had only bought the car 3 days beforehand.
I enclosed a copy of receipt for the car showing purchase date
Also a copy of current tax disc showing it was paid backdated.
and a copy of the summons.

I received a reply stating the matter was now closed and I would not be hearing any more about it.

filbert the fox

A few Tips:

When the deal is done, pay a deposit and delay the transfer of ownership till the beginning of the month leaving the car in the possession of the original owner. Hey presto! less tax to pay as arrears.

Ask the seller to copy the transfer of ownership document and give you the copy.

If you insist on parking in a public place - display a copy of the transfer of ownership form in the tax holder until you get your documentation.

write to your public representatives and get something done 'cos my fingers are tired from all this typing....:eek: