Some questions about car things - can you help?

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
19/02/2010 20:37

I need to apply for a TRNC driving licence for the first time. I've been driving on my UK licence so far. I'm about to buy a car and believe I should have a TRNC licence. What do I do? And, what does it cost?



Do we have MOTs in this country - the car I'm getting is 6yrs old.



Can anyone recommend an insurance company or are they all the same here (I mean do they compete for your business or is it all one set of rates)?



Thanks for any advice.

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
20/02/2010 00:28

I can only partially answer you.

You don't need a TRNC licence to buy a car. I've done it. But please note, you can only drive on your UK licence for 3 months before you have to change it. Take care if buying second hand. Any unpaid fines stay with the car, so you have to check that there's nothing outstanding.

There is an MOT after 3 years, and then every 3. However, you need to beware,as it's done by registration letter and not by registration date. All registration letters are given a date with around a 3 week window when the MOT must be done. You're fined if you do it late. The date for your test could be at anything between 2 and a half and 3 and a half years. The dates for the registrations are published in advance.

You'll also need an emission test

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
20/02/2010 20:51

Hi Ian,

Thanks for that information - it seems a minefield.

I've been driving on my UK licence now for 3 months so will need to change to a TRNC one. If anyone out there can give me info, I'd be grateful.



Does anyone know how I can go about checking for any outstanding fines on a car?



Where does the registration letter notifying an MOT is due come from? Will it be sent to my address automatically once the car is registered in my name?



And, how do I go about doing an emission test? Is this something only needed for new cars only? I will be buying second hand (unfortunately!). If not, who do I need to talk to?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
20/02/2010 20:54

Take a note of the registration to the police station in Girne, they can check up the date time and place of any unpaid fines...

batgirl


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 676

Message Posted:
20/02/2010 21:13

When you buy your second hand car you must check that the tax is current along with the mot & emmision test some insurance left may be available as it applies to the car not the person also take the car to a garage to check the engine no is the correct one for the log book

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
20/02/2010 21:21

Thank you both.

Batgirl - do you know how I go about checking if the MOT and emission test is in date? Also, do you know how I can check whether there's any insurance left on the car?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
20/02/2010 22:02

Ask to see the previous owner's documents...



As long as you go to the Muhtar with the current owner and complete the correct transfer of ownership documentation, there is no need to think that you will incur charges for previously unpaid fines. As Elko would tell you that would go against natural justice.



That won't stop the police from trying to get you to pay them for the fines of course, but you can argue your case and provide proof that the previous owner is liable up to the date of exchange of ownership if and only if you have the proper transfer Kocan.



The police tried this "please sign here" ploy on with my sister-in-law who refused and was able to prove that she wasn't even in the country at the time of the speeding offence. She had to go to the police station in Girne to make a statement but in the end they accepted that she could not be liable.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
20/02/2010 23:01

Thank you both.

Batgirl - do you know how I go about checking if the MOT and emission test is in date? Also, do you know how I can check whether there's any insurance left on the car?

batgirl


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 676

Message Posted:
21/02/2010 08:49

Look at the documents they are / must be with the log book when you are driving

look at the dates of issue then add 3 years to the mot/emmisions test and the insurance will be dated,

you must present them all when you go to transfer the ownership