Tax Disc

[Chris Salter]

Why worry about sticking it on the screen? Mine was bolted onto the existing mudguard bolt by JT when I bought it. I also have had it on the rear wheel nut on  my previous X9.
Chris.

[okonski]

Funny, am I alone if finding this prominence given to the tax disc is offensive...?  <g> 

I keep mine in a soggy mass bolted next to the engine housing!

However, I just LOVED those mirrors....!   

[johnH]

I've just bought 2 Tamper Proof holders from my Post Office.  I had just bought my replacement yearly Tax disc.  The Tamper Proof holders cost me £2.90 for 2.
My bike has a tax disc under a clear sealed plastic cover on the windscreen.  It was fitted there when I bought the bike. There is only a bolt that holds the 'hugger' on, where I could fit an ordinary bike tax disc holder on the bike.  The thing would get well and truly covered in no time.
I was advised to buy this type of holder by the owner of my local bike accessories shop.
Any thief will walk away seeing that there'd be no money for them if the disc would be destroyed if they tried to remove it.
The Holder looks like durbanite's.

[intermod]

Sounds like an affordable solution but lets's not forget, the windshield is only attached to the bike with three countersunk socket cap screws.

[johnH]

Sounds like an affordable solution but lets's not forget, the windshield is only attached to the bike with three countersunk socket cap screws.

Yes, a good point.  However, if someone is that desperate to steal the disc, I'd have to wonder if they were more interested in the windscreen, in which case the disc is superfluous.

I would hazard a guess and say that most disc thefts are done on the spur of the moment. 'They' see one, they weigh up how easy it would be to steal and whether there would be any money in the process for them after getting the disc.  The tamper proof disc carries the warning.

[durbanite]

In answer to the using and placing said tamper-proof holder, I have placed this in the same area as I have seen on several Hog's in Swindon. I like the idea that it is clearly seen, that it also affords me the comfort that the thief has to remove 3 hex type screws and take the screen off costing them time in doing so. Compared to the usual One screw contain the tax disc holder, if they attempt to extract said documentation to change/falsify particulars thereon to their gain, I have the pleasure in knowing that I have at least done something about making it a deterant in the fact that the document will be severely damaged and of NO USE to them. Hey guys, every one to their own...I sleep well at night ! 

[jimc]

I don't display my tax disc on my GP800.  It is worth GBP66 (36.30 for six months).

It is available for immediate inspection.

Valid arguments to LEO's and courts have been posted here before.

[durbanite]

Food for thought: -
A). I am a motorcyclist and I am worried about my tax disc being stolen. I display a photocopy and keep the original in my wallet in case I am stopped. Is this OK?
No. Firstly, you are not allowed to take copies of a tax disc and to display it and secondly, the law states that you must have a valid tax disc displayed towards the front of your vehicle. Although theft of a tax disc is a common problem, the obligation is upon the vehicle user to secure the tax disc, rather than display a copy.

. The law does state that an offence is committed for not displaying the disc....


Quote:
33.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road a vehicle in respect of
which vehicle excise duty is chargeable, and

(b) there is not fixed to and exhibited on the vehicle in the
manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State a
licence for, or in respect of, the vehicle which is for the time being
in force. 

Like I have said, every one to their own

[julian]

Displaying a copy with the intention to mislead is a very serious offence under current legislation.

[jimc]

However displaying a copy with "COPY" written over it is normally quite OK with the Plod here.  As is no tax disc at all - but traffic wardens can get shirty about it, and don't try it in Westmonster.

[gravyonmychin]

I feel they will steal it no matter what, its the mentality of the dross of society were breeding unfortunately, often just for the sake of it.

[julian]

Exactly Jim, if you mark it as a copy it isn't a disc so you are guilty of not displaying (a four figure fine), and if it is a copy and not marked as such it is obviously a forgery intended to deceive and caries a custodial sentence. Obviously these are maximum penalties, but having a disc stolen is far less of a penalty!

As local authorities now have powers to remove and crush vehicles not displaying legal tax (including vehicles off road) showing an obvious copy is a very dangerous ploy.

[jimc]

Hm.. vehicles off-road, so how about the bag of bits in my garage that might one day become a bike again?  I don't think so somehow - MAG and BMF have this one nailed - and the whole SORN thing is shown to be a sham.

[julian]

The legal definition of Motor Vehicle means the vehicle has to be a vehicle, and mechanically propelled.

To be a vehicle it needs to be capable of conveying people or objects.

To be mechanically propelled it probably has to not be in bits in boxes.

My understanding is the law changed last September specifically to stop people parking unregistered,  untaxed and unsorned vehicles on private land that didn't belong to them without the law or private individual having any redress.

[intermod]

The legal definition, for the purpose of vehicle excise, as to whether a road or piece of land is private or not revolves around whether or not the cost of its upkeep is met out of the public purse. If course a SORN declaration is still needed in order to keep a vehicle on private land or a private road. The DVLA could therefore seek a presecution for failing to declare, but I can't see that they, the police or local authority would have the power to steal it and vandalise it as they can now do if it were on the public road.       

[julian]

Certainly it was a proposal which I had assumed had become law (it was meant to come in last September) -it might not have done for some reason.

I was told about this by DVLA when I tried to report an untaxed vehicle that regulalry blocked access to our garage.

[johnH]

Having spent my working life in the law, all I can add is that, whatever view someone has about an aspect of the law, there will be 100 lawyers, ready, willing and ABLE to chew you into pieces.  In the small Welsh market town of Welshpool, there is a building which has been used as a court for many years.  There is a painting on a wall in the building.  The picture shows 2 farmers pulling at a cow from either end, each clearly claiming it for themselves.  Beneath the cow are 2 lawyers, milking it!!!