What Car? Q&A - Can I drive my new car without road tax?

Q: I'm buying a car from a private dealer, but it hasn't got any road tax. Can we drive the car home after we have bought the car and get the tax once we have got documents to do so?
Jason Smith

A: Legally you need to get the car taxed before you drive it on the road.

The only way round this is to use a set of trade numberplates (which the dealer may have) or get the car transported to your home.

The best thing to do is to get the car taxed before you collect it, which can be done at a post office, or on the internet. You will need the car's V5C logbook, a valid MoT certificate if the car is old enough, and an insurance cover note.

You could ask the dealer to tax it for you before you collect.

However, if you cannot tax the car immediately because the seller does not have the V5C, then take care. Never buy a car without a V5C, as it may be stolen, or be an insurance write-off.