Tax disc Win! (eventually)

A few weeks ago an envelope from the DVLA dropped through the letter box. Inside was not one, but two reminders.

The first reminded me that the tax disc for my car would expire at the end of the month and I could go online and renew it if I was so inclined.

The second was an absolutely word-perfect replica that reminded me that the tax disc for my horsebox would expire at the end of the month and, unsurprisingly, I could go online and renew it if I was so inclined. Again.

I set them both aside until I had sufficient time and inclination; a couple of days later I picked them up and sat in front of my laptop.

I went to the appropriate URI (www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc), input the reminder details and my car information and followed the action required of me and…

Was instantly informed that (and I paraphrase, but the meaning is crystal clear), I was either applying too early – i.e. before the 5th of the month – or the DVLA database couldn’t identify a valid insurance policy for my car.

As I had the valid insurance policy for my car on the seat beside me I reasoned that I was, indeed, too early in my application; a look at the calendar verified this.

OK, so that’s my fault. But I just wish the reminder from DVLA carried this restriction a little more prominently. It does carry it, just not obviously so.

Hey ho.

I set aside both reminders for a couple of weeks.

Multiple tax disc Fails!

Last Monday I picked up the reminders and went online to the DVLA again.

I input the reminder details for my car, jumped through the hoops that the website told me to, entered my card details and pressed submit.

After about 20 seconds the website said everything was in order, payment had been taken and the new tax disc for my car would be in my hot little hands within five working days.

Tax disc Win!

I went back to the start of the menu, entered the reminder details for my horsebox and jumped through the same hoops but before I could flip to the payments screen and put in my card details, the website said I could not proceed because I was either applying too early (again? still? no, that can’t be!) or the DVLA database couldn’t identify a valid insurance policy for my lorry.

Ah.

I knew I had a valid insurance policy for the horsebox so I bundled the current MOT Certificate (including the supporting Brake and Emissions Test data), the current insurance certificate, the current log book (not stated as being required but hey, one can never be too thorough!) and the current tax disc reminder from the DVLA, and set them aside until I could visit a Post Office.

Tax disc Fail!

A few days later I went to our local Post Office where I stood in a queue for 35 minutes. I could rant about having to stand in a queue for 35 minutes, but that would be predictable so I won’t.

When I got to the front of the queue, presented my documentation, flourished my chequebook and asked for a new tax disc the guy behind the counter said that I was in a Post Office that didn’t issue tax discs.

As I’d lost the will to live about ten minutes before I had got to the front of the queue I gave up on the tax-disc-buying attempts for that day.

Tax disc Fail!

Yesterday I went to the Post Office opposite the building I’m currently working in. I bought a padded envelope, posted a book* which I sent recorded delivery and presented my bundle of documents, flourished my chequebook again and asked for a tax disc. Again.

The person behind the counter scrutinised everything, pushed the papers back at me and said that he couldn’t give me a tax disc because the insurance documents I’d provided would expire at the end of June and the tax disc would run from the start of July.

Hmm… Well yes, there’s a degree of logic in his argument, but this is the first time that anyone has said this.

Anyway.

Tax disc Fail!

Today I tried again; I took the same bundle of documents with the addition of the insurance policy that isn’t yet valid but would be next month (Yes I know. It looks obvious when I see it like that, even to me!), to the same Post Office.

I explained what I wanted, handed over the documents and flourished my chequebook.

The lady behind the counter checked everything then took the MOT certificate to her manager and checked it with him (I don’t know why!) and then returned and began writing out a new tax disc.

She saw my flourished chequebook and said I could pay by card if I wanted. So I did.

I now own two bright, new and very shiny tax discs, one for my car and one for Vin’s taxi.

But the disparity of the system, how I can order and pay for a car tax disc via 21st Century technology yet have to order a lorry tax disc in person via some very 19th Century technology yet still pay for it via 21st Century technology is all very puzzling.

Anyway…

Tax disc Win!

Eventually.

* Crossing The Line, a novel by some guy called Brennig Jones. It’s a reasonable read, or so I’m told.