17-03-2014, 05:48 PM
(16-03-2014, 05:42 PM)Martin306 Wrote: No, insurance changes are instant on the database, there's no 5 day wait.
Yes and no.
The updates on the database when made are pretty much instant.
The delays come with waiting for someone to actually do the inputting of data into the database (if done manually) or the batch job running if automated. Shouldn't be anything like a 5 day delay, but it can be - and that's a PITA if you're waiting on it to be able to tax the car!
Obviously anything that uses a downloaded copy of the database (eg police cars with ANPR) will always be using old data to some degree, although usually they will run a PNC check against current data before pulling you over.
Over and above this you've obviously got errors on the database from mistyping, accidental deletion etc. It's good fun when the insurer accidentally deletes all your cars from the database without warning and you get pulled over, thankfully in my case I had an officer with common sense who was able to speak to the insurers on the phone who realised their screw up.
The new tax system will be fine and after a grumble you'll all use it without too much issue, just as we did when SORN was introduced as well as continuous registration. It's just a shame that given the opportiunity to properly reform the tax system they chose not to and instead introduced this cost-cutting measure that doesn't really benefit the end user (ie the motorist)
1990 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 // 1991 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 16v // 1992 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 // 1999 Peugeot 306 HDi Estate