Fella's
Got a rather nice letter from the DVLA on Friday to say that they want to fine me becuase i did not either declare my vehicle SORN or TAX it. The car
in question has beenSORN'd for the last 3 years and its a regular event to re SORN it. My problem is did not recieve the reminder from the DVLA
and by my calculations the reminder would of been sent out around the postal strike.
The fine is £40, would you a) shut up and pay up, b) write a letter explaining the situation, however, if the fine is not payed by 1/12/07 it goes to
£80.
Open to ideas?
- Ash
[Edited on 11/11/07 by ash_hammond]
Sorry, but it's your responsibility to keep track. the reminders are a courtesy - I'm surprised they still do it.
Usually if the penalty is in dispute before the date the fine goes up its held at the lower rate.
So yes i'd write the letter, you've got nothing to loose considering you HAVEN'T commited a real offence like driving it on the road
and got caught that way.
Its just an adminastrative error on both your parts.
good question... i would probably pay it (to avoid the higher fee) then raise the complaint in writing. give them a phone first though and ask what
happens to the fine if you raise a complaint (i think they hold off increasing the fee until they reply to you letter, at least the coucil did when i
got caught driving in a bus lane. that was just a miscalculation of where the junction was)
£40 isn't so bad. i think the max fine is £1000
Macbeast: i think the only way you can declare it sorn is with the reminder letter, isn't it? i've never had to do it...
you DID post it off to them, but it must have got lost in the post
i had this a few weeks back. I never recieved a reminder. I sent them a letter telling them i had sent a sorn declaration in and that it must've
been lost in the post, and also included a 'new' declaration. Sadly, they pointed out that you are meant to follow it up if not acknowledged
within 4 weeks. So i quickly paid the £40 and called it a lesson learnt. 
If you have the reminder, you can sorn online in a few minutes.
I didnt mind the fine so much, just that they wanted back duty. Plus i have two cars on my drive both taxed and out of use long term, so it bugs me
paying a third time for just one 'use' of tax. I avoided the back duty at least.
Funnily, i never displayed the disc all last year and never got my ear felt once.
[Edited on 11/11/07 by JoelP]
quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
good question... i would probably pay it (to avoid the higher fee) then raise the complaint in writing. give them a phone first though and ask what happens to the fine if you raise a complaint (i think they hold off increasing the fee until they reply to you letter, at least the coucil did when i got caught driving in a bus lane. that was just a miscalculation of where the junction was)
£40 isn't so bad. i think the max fine is £1000
Macbeast: i think the only way you can declare it sorn is with the reminder letter, isn't it? i've never had to do it...
Form V890 at Post Office or as ^^^ on line at DVLA
They won't talk to you about it on the phone, they only take complaints/disputes in writing.
Just write to them telling them that the car is still off road and that you posted the SORN declaration on such and such date, and don't
understand why they've not received it.
David
thanks chaps, good food for thought
I've just sorned my car online and received the confirmation letter within 3 days as well as an email that arrived straight away. I wouldn't part with money till you have to as you may find them reluctant to sort it out.
For the hastle of SORNing a car, surely, it is worth just taxing it year round? Especially if you fall into the lower tax bracket, if you do get a £40
fine, you have nearly paid 6 months tax!
In this case, I would try the 'lost in the post' line. Failing that, pay up and set a reminer for next year!
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
For the hastle of SORNing a car, surely, it is worth just taxing it year round? Especially if you fall into the lower tax bracket, if you do get a £40 fine, you have nearly paid 6 months tax!
How is SORNing a hassle? Go to DVLA website, enter a couple of numbers and it's done. Certainly not worth paying tax just to avoid doing that!
I have recently received something similar over a family car that was written off. I was requested to send the complete log book to the insurers and
the insurance company neglected to inform DVLA.
There should be a form that you have to complete to send off with your payment. On this is a box for information if you do not believe the situation
to be correct. In the box I just put "see enclosed" and included a letter explaining the situation. This is all handled by the Enforcement
Section (in Bournemouth or somewhere) and you will not find a telephone number for them anywhere.
Hassle of Sorning ??
To tax it it would probably need an MOT. Since my Sierra is lying all over my garage floor that would be difficult 
<<<<<<<
I don't feel like insuring a box of used wiring loom either.
[Edited on 12/11/07 by Macbeast]