In ROI for 2 years, car in family for 6 months, me only user

[jdouble]

Hi,

I have recently moved to the ROI from England for a 2 year work contract. Before I left I exported my car from the UK and when I first arrived I applied for, and received a temporary exemption which is valid for the 2 years I am here.

However, I have come to realise that although this means I can legitimately drive in ROI, it is illegal for me to drive in the north as I would be in the UK, with UK plates, but no UK tax... Therefore I will need to register the car in ROI if I ever want to drive in the north (and no, I have checked and I am not able to just re-register the car in the UK).

As I will only be here for 2 years I am obviously hoping to avoid paying the VRT. Unfortunately, the car was not registered in my name for the 6 months before moving here.

However, is it possible that I could be exempt from paying the VRT based on the fact that:

1) The car has been in the family for several years (it was registered to my mother before me).
2) Even though I didn't own it, I was the sole insured user of the car for over 6 months before I moved (which I can prove with insurance certificates).
3) I am planning to only stay here for 2 years (and can prove it).

I have had several conversations with people from my local revenue office about this and everyone seems to have a different opinion.

Is there any point in me continuing trying, or shall I just bite the bullet and pay (or buy a new car)? Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks.
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Jack

[VRT.ie]

Hi Jack,

As far as i know they are very strict on the 6 month ownership rule.

Can you not just pay UK tax also?

[jdouble]

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately, in order to pay the UK tax the car has to be registered in the UK, and in order for me to re-register the car, apparently it has to be IN the UK (in case they need to inspect the car).

I know that the English and Northern Irish car registration systems are different so I'm wondering now if I should try to register the car in Northern Ireland. I live very close to the border so if an inspection was needed, this wouldn't be a problem. The only thing that might hold me back is that my permanent address is in England (i.e. my parents house, where I lived before this work contract), and my temporary (current) address is in ROI, therefore I have no ties with Northern Ireland.

Do you think this is worth a try? Who would I contact to ask about this?

Many thanks.

Jack
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Jack

[VRT.ie]

Hi Jack,

Your question relates to registering the car outside the republic so VRT.ie would have limited knowledge in this area but one would assume you contact the DVLA.