Dealing with DVLA

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Sat 10 Mar 2007 12:29
Dealing with DVLA - Sqwib
Hello people, I've just signed up. Thanks for a highly entertaining forum.

Wondered if someone could give me some advice on how to deal with DVLA over a problem that's arisen over a scrapped car.

Two years ago (Feb 2005) the car suffered a catastrophic engine failure and was taken off the road to rot in a corner of my garden until I could decide how to dispose of it. Following a reminder from DVLA I sent them a SORN in Jan 2006.

To cut the story short, I eventually gave the car to a friend in the motor trade to deal with it as he deemed fit. Not knowing at the time what he might do with it, I signed the 'change of keeper' section on the V5 and left it with him.

In September he told me that he had sent the car to a breakers' yard for scrapping. The V5 which I had signed had gone with it, so I needn't do anything more; the breakers would deal with the paperwork.

In December though I got another SORN application reminder from DVLA, which, on the advice of my trader friend, I (probably unwisely) ignored.

I've now had a penalty notice from DVLA asking me for an unpaid licence fee plus £40, rising to £80 if I don't pay by the end of the month.

I've written back explaining what has happened, but for some strange reason I don't have much confidence that it'll do any good.

Question is, how do I get out of this? Even if I were to pay the penalty (which I'm loathe to do), how can I stop DVLA sending me SORN reminders every year, given that I no longer have the V5 to tell them the car doesn't exist any more?
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Sat 10 Mar 2007 13:08
Dealing with DVLA - Aprilia
Ring DVLA and speak to them. I've found them very reasonable.
I think you should have sent back the change of keeper paperwork...........
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Sat 10 Mar 2007 13:40
Dealing with DVLA - milkyjoe
how ironic ,they cant even be bothered to send me a reminder every six months
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Sat 10 Mar 2007 14:31
Dealing with DVLA - Dwight Van Driver
Don't castigate DVLA for they go to great lengths to advise what is required at law in relation to SORN and change of ownership. Despite this people go their merry way and ignore and when they fall foul do not blame themselves.

As far as SORN goes if a vehicle is taken off the road and as soon as any Licence issued has expired then it is the onus of the keeper to notify DVLA on the special form and thereafter annually if the vehicle is still off the road untaxed. Not do so and one invokes an £80penalty.

Change of ownership. The V5 contains a wealth of information and advises what to do, which box to complete etc. Failure to notify is an offence in itself.

Reminder in this case:

Road Vehicles (Reg and Lic) Regs 2002:

shall forthwith deliver to the Secretary of State, on that part of the registration document which relates to the notification of transfer (or otherwise in writing), the following information -


(i) notification of the change of keeper;

(ii) the date on which the vehicle was sold or transferred to the new keeper;

(iii) the name and address of the new keeper;

(iv) the registration mark of the vehicle; and

(v) the make, model and colour of the vehicle.

As to what to do. Anecdotal evidence suggests that DVLA are not the ogre they are made out to be and the letter written may achieve its aim and bring about a result. On the other hand it may not and who could blame them for being treated in a cavalier way.

dvd
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Sat 10 Mar 2007 16:09
Dealing with DVLA - martint123
In December though I got another SORN application reminder from DVLA, which, on the advice of my trader friend, I (probably unwisely) ignored.

Very unwise. If you had read the rear, specifically the section "if you no longer have the vehicle" you could have save a lot of trouble and/or cash.
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