Help Going Legal

[RobF]

T

If you sell the bike you'll just be passing on the problem to someone else.

Er, what size and colour is it?

 

[flecc]

Somewhat off thread, a German friend of mine who has lived in MK for several years has a Yamaha XT 600 which is registered in Germany in his elderly mother's name.

The advantage is that it still has German plates, TüV and insurance which costs much less than if it were registered in the UK.

But there's a six month limit on the use of the vehicle so he's breaking the law if using it beyond that. Here's the conditions copied and pasted:

7. Temporary imports


You can usually use a vehicle with non-UK number plates without needing to tax or register it in the UK if all of the following apply:

• you’re visiting and don’t plan to live here
• you only use the vehicle up to 6 months in a 12-month period (one single visit, or several shorter visits adding up to a 6-month period)
• the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country

You must tax and register your vehicle in the UK if you become a resident or your stay is longer than 6 months.
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[Cyclezee]

But there's a six month limit on the use of the vehicle so he's breaking the law if using it beyond that. Here's the conditions copied and pasted:

7. Temporary imports


You can usually use a vehicle with non-UK number plates without needing to tax or register it in the UK if all of the following apply:

• you’re visiting and don’t plan to live here
• you only use the vehicle up to 6 months in a 12-month period (one single visit, or several shorter visits adding up to a 6-month period)
• the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country

You must tax and register your vehicle in the UK if you become a resident or your stay is longer than 6 months.
.

His mother is the owner and not a UK resident.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Hmmm is this the loophole?

 

[flecc]

His mother is the owner and not a UK resident.

That makes no difference. The law is on this page and there's a view on it in this quotation on this exact subject:

Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, national lead for roads policing said:

Regardless of their country of origin, or that of their car, it is the responsibility of every driver to ensure that they are obeying the laws that govern our roads in the UK, and that includes falling in line with the laws on taxation, registration and insurance as well as those on safe driving."

Note the words, "or that of their car", for which read motor vehicle of course. His motorbike has to registered here, taxed and also insured under it's UK registration. Without that he might be riding without insurance.

I think this is what he might be relying on:

You may be able to use a vehicle with non-UK number plates for longer than a 6-month period, without taxing or registering it, if all the following apply:

• you’re a student or worker
• you normally live outside the EU
• you’re in the UK for a set study or work period
• the vehicle is registered in its home country

Clearly neither he nor the owner don't normally live outside the EU.
.

 

[flecc]

Hmmm is this the loophole?

No, I don't think so. There seems to be two views on this published in two newspapers, but that police quote above seems to make it clear.
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