This problem keeps coming up at work with our cars, they're all owned and registered to Lex Leasing and on GB plates. In GB a car needs MOT'd after 3 years, so we're forever getting reminders that our cars are either out of MOT or about to have their MOT expire. What are the legalities here, as the car is registered in the mainland and has GB plates, do they need MOT'd after 3 years, or is the fact they are based in NI mean they are OK until 4 years old? Our Fleet team and Lex are completely oblivious to what happens here in NI and think we're part of Ireland ffs.
not sure woodchhopper but should the vehicle not be registered here then if they are based here and put on a ni v5?
If its registered in GB, it needs to abide by the DVLA guidelines, rather than the DVLNI / DVA or whatever
Yeah Gary I think you're right, my old car was re-registered here when it came over from England...mind you, it took them 9 months to tell me and I was driving around with the wrong reg the whole time! The issue here is the latest car is 3 years old and due to go back to Lex this month, so I don't see the point in re-reg'ing it, prob won't have enough time. On the other hand it may not be legally on the road just now. Mark - cheers for that, kind of fits in with what Gary says...think we'll just get it MOT'd ASAP and send the fooker back.
A car is supposed to be registered where the keeper lives/the car is kept. For insurance and tax and everything else. Not sure about fleet though, they are effectively rental cars... Sounds like a bit of a grey area... Insurance could be dodgy too if they are not registered where they are actually kept... NI/GB plates makes no difference, you can have GB plates on a car registered in NI, no problem. It is the address it is registered at which counts.
I'm no help but out of interest who issues your tax discs? DVA or DVNI? Would that not dictate when the MOT is needed? I'd have thought the DVA require proof of MOT before issuing a tax disc on a 3 yr old car. Would you have to MOT it on the mainland or can you put it through the centres here? The differences between DVA and DVLNI can be a right pain in the hole though. Had so much bother with them both when it came to a my cherished transfer.
This man speakith the truth The car by right needs to be registered in N I, and as its in N I, it falls under our laws, but it would be illegal for you to drive it on the mainland unless it was registered in N I