What had Ed Sheeran done wrong?

[Deeferdonk]

You're over complicating it. Road tax doesn't exist "kind of" or otherwise. Your argument that language and terminology change in common usage doesn't overrule the law. People who pay VED have no more right to use the roads than those who don't regardless of whether it adds to general taxation (a non car owning cyclist paying higher rate income tax could conceivably pay way more tax than a minimum wage car owner for instance - not that it matters). If some motorists believe that paying VED confers them special privileges over those who don't that's not my problem, they're just wrong.

Road tax doesn't exist "kind of" or otherwise.

Yes - it does, kind of ,- i explained in quite some detail, with examples and everything

Your argument that language and terminology change in common usage doesn't overrule the law.

I never said it did!

People who pay VED have no more right to use the roads than those who don't regardless of whether it adds to general taxation (a non car owning cyclist paying higher rate income tax could conceivably pay way more tax than a minimum wage car owner for instance - not that it matters). If some motorists believe that paying VED confers them special privileges over those who don't that's not my problem, they're just wrong.

Exactly right. Who said it was otherwise?

 

[Deeferdonk]

Am not really bothered about whether’ road tax ‘ is real in a hypothetical or metaphorical context.

But as far as I am concerned Susie Dent can call me any thing she wants and I will like it . 😂😂😀

 

[alicat]

and the other was when I took my driving test in my father's Imp when he'd forgotten to tax it.

OMG - did you get an instant fail if it was in the days when the tax disc was in the window?

By the by, I think it was a mistake to do away with the tax disc because the car owner/driver got an instant nudge to renew and patrolling police officers could tell instantly which vehicles' taxes had expired....

 

[Alex321]

OMG - did you get an instant fail if it was in the days when the tax disc was in the window?

By the by, I think it was a mistake to do away with the tax disc because the car owner/driver got an instant nudge to renew and patrolling police officers could tell instantly which vehicles' taxes had expired....

THe tax disc is not as much of a reminder as the letter they send out asking you to renew.

And any cop who is stopping vehicles has instant access to the database telling them whether a vehicle is taxed/MOT'd/Insured, the tax disc doesn't make much difference there either.

 

[alicat]

THe tax disc is not as much of a reminder as the letter they send out asking you to renew.

And any cop who is stopping vehicles has instant access to the database telling them whether a vehicle is taxed/MOT'd/Insured, the tax disc doesn't make much difference there either.

In your opinion....

 

[Alex321]

In your opinion....

Those were simple facts.

 

[Dogtrousers]

OMG - did you get an instant fail if it was in the days when the tax disc was in the window?

By the by, I think it was a mistake to do away with the tax disc because the car owner/driver got an instant nudge to renew and patrolling police officers could tell instantly which vehicles' taxes had expired....

In the days of tax discs I was always sure if my car was taxed. These days, I'm not so sure. Probably. Let me go and check.

(Nips off to https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ Yes I'm fine)

 

[Seevio]

In the days of tax discs I was always sure if my car was taxed. These days, I'm not so sure. Probably. Let me go and check.

(Nips off to https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ Yes I'm fine)

Not being sure is probably just down to old age. If you couldn't remember if your car was taxed, it would, depending on relative car location, be quicker to look it up online than go out to the car to see if there was a current tax disk in the window.

 

[albion]

All a trifle.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Not being sure is probably just down to old age. If you couldn't remember if your car was taxed, it would, depending on relative car location, be quicker to look it up online than go out to the car to see if there was a current tax disk in the window.

But every time I get in the car I get a reminder if there's a disc there.

However as I only use my car once a month or so that wouldn't be much use. It's always a bit heart in mouth - will it start? I used it yesterday for the first time in ages (drove to Currys to pick up a printer and drop off a broken printer in their recycling area). It coughed and spluttered a bit but it did start.

Anyway, I taxed it in April. So ages yet.

 

[Alex321]

But every time I get in the car I get a reminder if there's a disc there.

I wouldn't since I rarely walk round the front of the car when getting in. But knowing I will get a letter from the DVLA a few weeks before it is due means I'm not the slightest bit worried.

That letter then sits on the desk in front of my home computer until it is paid (and I use that computer almost every evening).

 

[Shortfall]

Yes - it does, kind of ,- i explained in quite some detail, with examples and everything


I never said it did!


Exactly right. Who said it was otherwise?

We are getting into semantics here and you appear to be arguing with yourself so I'm out.

 

[Bristolian]

It has been worked out that damage to the roads is proportional to the weight of the vehicle raised to the power of four. If car drivers were to pay their fair share for road maintenance only through VED; they would be paying tens of thousands of pounds every year. As it is, the amount of VED paid barely covers the cost of the tarmac the cars permenantly occupy.

Indeed, you are correct. In a written response to a question posed to DfT by the Transport Committee in Parliament last year the figure was £15,000 per car, irrespective of size, age or engine type/size.

 

[Bristolian]

THe tax disc is not as much of a reminder as the letter they send out asking you to renew.

And any cop who is stopping vehicles has instant access to the database telling them whether a vehicle is taxed/MOT'd/Insured, the tax disc doesn't make much difference there either.

But for the Bobby on the beat it was a simple matter to glance at the tax disc of cars parked at the side of the road to see if they were taxed, or not. No need for gadgets to access a database taking a minute or two for each car; just the Mk 1 eyeball as they walked past. That was the difference the tax disc made.

 

[Alex321]

But for the Bobby on the beat it was a simple matter to glance at the tax disc of cars parked at the side of the road to see if they were taxed, or not. No need for gadgets to access a database taking a minute or two for each car; just the Mk 1 eyeball as they walked past. That was the difference the tax disc made.

What is a "bobby on the beat"?

They had pretty well disappeared long before the tax disc did.