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# Motor Tax
Why this garda bike with an out-of-date tax disc is not breaking the law
Turns out garda vehicles are exempt from motor tax…
THIS OUT-OF-DATE motor tax disc on a garda motorbike came to our attention earlier this week after it was broadcast on RTÉ’s Six One News.
Reader Robert Keogh got in touch after he spotted the obvious discrepancy while watching Wednesday night’s report on the shooting in Rathcoole which killed a 43-year-old man.
We got in touch with the gardaí who informed us that in fact garda vehicles are exempt from paying motor tax and therefore there is no loss to the State coffers as a result of this disc being three months out-of-date.
However garda vehicles are still kitted out with up to date tax discs as it is a requirement that vehicles exempt from motor tax display current tax discs if they are used in a public place.
“The tax disc in question expired on 02/13; this disc has now been removed and has been replaced with a current disc,” a garda spokesperson said.
Up-to-date tax discs are issued by the relevant local authority, the spokesperson added.
Garda vehicles aren’t the only ones to be exempt from motor tax. Other vehicles that are exempt include those which are State-owned, diplomatic cars, ambulances, and fire engines.
Pics: The Gardaí’s latest crime-fighting vehicle*
