QUOTE (WRC @ Jan 7 2006, 06:57 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Whats the story with driving on english plates.
-Can you insure it?
Some companies will insure you some wont. AXA will, don't think FBD will.
The main problem you'll come up against is the whole address thing. The seller is gonna want the car out of their name but it must be a UK address that you give them. If you give a Southern address you'll end up having to duty it...only 90% sure of this though.
Like everything else, there are ways around it. If you buy from a dealer he should be able to work it for, the usual thing they do is put it in a non-existant name & an address which will enable the dealer to pick up the "new owners" documents when they are sent out. He (the dealer) will then post the documents/log book down south to you. At this stage you'll have the car & the log book which you can show as proof that you legally own the car.
The beauty of this is that southern cops can't trace that car to you so speed camera points won't find you, but don't draw attention to yourself cos they'll keep a list of any offences against that reg. no. and if you get stopped at a checkpoint some day then they won't treat you too nicely...to say the least!!
Also, if buying from a dealer & the tax is nearly up, get him to tax it for a year for you. Bargain it into the price or hand him 165 pounds and he'll tax it in the last owners name. When the Gardai see that it's taxed they will possibly just wave you through a checkpoint-it just means you're not drawing attention to yourself.
Be very careful if you're ever driving that car up North though. If the cops come across you and you don't have a northern address they can take the car off you on the spot.
If buying privately it's not usually as straightforward but if you come across the "right guy" I have been told that the seller can send in the change of ownership form to the place in Coleraine giving your real name but stating "no address given" on the form. Not quite sure how you get the new log book though if they don't know where to post it too.
If you're stopped by the local Gardai....well what we do up round these parts is put on our best Northern accent and roll your real name & a prepared Northern address off your tongue. He'll ask for your Northern licence, tell him you don't have it with you. Up North it's not a legal requirement to carry your licence with you. On no circumstances should you pull out the pink boy...your Southern licence
and show it to him, if you do you're in trouble. It's possible to bluff our bobbies though, show your credit card as proof of who you are. I've done it before and it worked. Said I didn't have any ID but offered to show my credit card as proof of who I am, it contains your name but no address so works a treat. I know a few fellas who have even opened up Ulster Bank accounts just to get the Ulster Bank ATM card for this purpose. Ulster Bank is down South as well so no problem opening an account but it's predominantly associated with the North.
Obviously I have just "picked" all of this up in passing
I wouldn't try to deny Bertie his beloved VRT
Hope that may be of some help to you.
