car towed away 'cos of out of date tax...?

EveryPennyCounts_3

Hi all

Firstly - sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this, but thought someone might be able to help.

My car tax is out of date (ran out end of Jan 06) - completely forgot about it. No excuse, of course, and I have every intention of paying it. Came back from work today and my car isn't outside my house. There was no notice or anything through the door. The police tell me the DVLA have taken it, but they can't tell me where to. They've just given me a phone number - which isn't working cos they're probably shut. I phoned the DVLA Swansea office and there's nothing on their system about it.

Has this happened to anyone else? I actually saw a DVLA van today with 'Tax Evasion Team' on it or something similar. This was miles and miles away from my house (different city), but maybe they're having a drive to sort out out of date discs. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this before. More annoyed at my own stupidity than anything else, but also that they didn't put anything through the door!

EPC

Alleycat

Just asked my OH and he reckons it would be courteous to put a note through the door if the car is parked outside, but he doesn't think its compulsory. I have to say I have reported quite a few cars on the DVLA website for out of date discs. Don't know if it led to anything, but felt I should.

twink

i thought you got fined if you dont have a tax disc and it just came through the door you have to declare the car off the road to avoid this

southernscouser

Round my way they normally put stickers on the car window warning you they will remove it within 24 hours! Not sure if they obliged to do this or not though I'm afraid!

Is it possible they did this without you noticing it?

EveryPennyCounts_3

Thanks. I guess they could have and I didn't notice. I didn't drive it yesterday so I suppose it's possible.

kevker

The new rules regarding SORN, that came in, in 2004, mean that if you haven't declared SORN or renewed your tax disc, the DVLA can do the following;

Issue a fine through the post (£1000, plus the cost of the tax). Before, they had to have seen your car on the road, this no longer applies and a fine could be issued automatically.

Tow your car. They will send a contractor round to impound your car. This I think will then involve you paying the £1000 fine, the cost of the tax, as well as the contractors costs for removing and storing your car, which I would imagine would be in the £150 towing fee, £80 a day storage area.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

lilac_lady

Sorry about your car EPC - seems like a genuine mistake on your part. £1000 seems a bit steep if this is a first "offence". I renewed my tax disc by phone today (due 1st April so I'm so proud to have paid it BEFORE this month's payday because of MSE). I was surprised to know that they can check whether you have valid insurance and MOTwithout asking for any details other than the renewal notice number. They are tightening up on tax dodgers - welcome strategy - but a pity for people like you who made an expensive error.

highguyuk

They can only check MOT if you have a new style MOT form - which I believe has come in within the last 6 months.

Poppycat

They can check insurance too well some they can.

"How do we check Insurance,new style MOT Test Certificates and GVT Test Certificates?
When you apply for a tax disc on our website or using our telephone service, the vehicle’s insurance will be electronically checked with the Motor Insurance Database (MID), run by the Motor Insurers Information Centre (MIIC). "

http://www.vehiclelicence.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/?SKIN=directgov#

highguyuk wrote:

They can only check MOT if you have a new style MOT form - which I believe has come in within the last 6 months.

Woby_Tide

highguyuk wrote:

They can only check MOT if you have a new style MOT form - which I believe has come in within the last 6 months.

or if the car is under 3 years old

pompeyrich

kevker wrote:

Issue a fine through the post (£1000, plus the cost of the tax). .

Tow your car. They will send a contractor round to impound your car. This I think will then involve you paying the £1000 fine, the cost of the tax, as well as the contractors costs for removing and storing your car, which I would imagine would be in the £150 towing fee, £80 a day storage area.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

The initial fine should be £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days, determined offenders will be prosecuted and fined a minimum of £1,000

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/newrules/car_tax.htm