From October 1st there’s going to be one thing missing from our lives – tax discs. That little circle of perforated paper that’s been a part of our motoring heritage since 1921 is finally being phased out. But don’t for one moment think that means no more road tax – in fact it’s going to be even easier for the Police and other enforcement authorities to check whether your vehicle is taxed through simple electronic checks and roadside cameras.
Thanks to number plate recognition and a whole host of databases being cross-referenced with one another, enforcement officers will be able to tell in an instant whether a vehicle is taxed or not. But some organisations believe that the new system will take a while to bed in, with unscrupulous motorists trying to take advantage of the system. The RAC believes that the government could be facing a loss of around £167million in revenue, and debate whether using ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) and enforcement cameras will really be effective in stopping people from avoiding paying road tax.
Anyone can check the status of any vehicle by using DVLA’s Vehicle Enquiry System, which is available at www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk
The changes in the tax disc also has implications for anyone buying or selling a second-hand vehicle, while other motoring commentators believe it will lead to more illegal cars on the road, as failure to tax a vehicle can also render the insurance invalid.
How the new laws will change things for instructors
So how does this affect driving instructors? Well, lesson plans explaining the legalities of driving will have to be changed to suit the new regulations, and the emphasis will need to be on ensuring that learner drivers have a clear understanding of the law and what is required. That means instructors will have to update their understanding of the legislation to be able to pass on the correct information to their pupils.
Many people believe that being an ADI is all about teaching pupils the mechanics of driving. But pupils rely on their driving instructors for much more than just learning about clutch control, three-point turns and how to reverse around a corner. They are also required to educate their pupils about everything from driving insurance and tax requirements through to basic maintenance.
For driving instructors, insurance and tax information now needs to be an important part of their instruction techniques, and the change in the tax disc has emphasised just how important it is to stay fully up to date with the law, as well as best practice techniques.