Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) - 30 day limit

emeraldeye

Hi, I moved to Ireland from the UK, I drove my car over and originally planned to head back to the UK to help my Wife move some of her pets.

I recently read that any vehicle brought into the state should be registered within 30 days https://www.revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/guide-to-vrt/vehicle-registration-tax/vrt-and-registration.aspx (at the bottom of the page).

Since being here there were some issues with the purchase of our house and things were delayed, I stayed in a B&B for a shortwhile and then at our property under a Caretaker's agreement; our deeds have still not been finalised, but apparently our house officially completed on 13 October.

Sadly one of the pets passed away meaning I no longer need to drive back to the UK.

However, now my car has been here over 30 days - obviously none of this was planned but I'm worried I may have a fine to pay, or something, if I now register my car here?

So I'm hoping someone may have some advice?

- If I try to register it now does anyone know what sort of fine or penalty may be involved?

- Would it be easier to drive back the to the UK and then drive it back into the country? And is that possible? i.e. would that 'reset' the 30 days? (obviously there will be costs for the ferry).

My car is quite old (2000), but reliable; it's probably not worth much so I'm not sure if that will effect any penalty involved?

Thank you very much for any help or advice anyone can offer.

Fred Swanson

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Marcusm

Are you claiming the VRT exemption on transfer of residence? If you are then you will likely have no issue as the “fine” is a set portion of the VRT liability which would be nil.

jimmycrackcorm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Normally they will look for a Ferry ticket as proof, but seeing as the OP is doing a transfer or residence, then his UK car documents and licence will prove he has had it longer than 6 months in the UK.

emeraldeye

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Normally they will look for a Ferry ticket as proof, but seeing as the OP is doing a transfer or residence, then his UK car documents and licence will prove he has had it longer than 6 months in the UK.

Hi, thanks, yes I'll be doing a transfer of residence; I've had my car almost 7 years so that should be fine. I do have a ferry ticket (e-mail), and all my UK car documents etc.

If that's definite and I'll have no fine, then I'll get my car sorted out as soon as possible.

longgonesilver

Unfortunately the VRT might be the least of your worries.
Have you got a quotation to insure the car in Ireland. It is getting increasingly difficult to get a quote on cars over 15 years old.
Also check the tax rate if you have a big engine and fall under the older system, it could be quite high.

emeraldeye

longgonesilver wrote: »

Unfortunately the VRT might be the least of your worries.
Have you got a quotation to insure the car in Ireland. It is getting increasingly difficult to get a quote on cars over 15 years old.
Also check the tax rate if you have a big engine and fall under the older system, it could be quite high.

Thanks I've heard that some insurers won't insure older cars so I guess I'll have to check beforehand.

I have a 1.6 engine, so reasonably small, but even so it's not cheap at about €514 a year or €616 if paid monthly :eek: