Road Tax Overdue - slightly more interesting scenario

parody

Hi all, first post so be kind!

Before I start, I know its my fault and I'm not looking for sympathy, just advice. I have searched the forums and don't think this particular question has been asked before.

Basically, I'm looking at buying a new car and as such am preparing the advert to sell my car, when I went to check the tax expiry, I realise it expired on 1st April. At first I thought I must have lost it, it has been stolen or blown out the windows as I never ignore tax reminders. But I checked the licence status on the DVLA website and sure enough it was "unlicenced". I have not received a reminder, fine or anything through the post at all depite driving past loads of ANPR cameras.

This all happened today, and I went to call the DVLA office but they are closed today. So I immediately went online and bought new road tax, backdated to 1st June. I read now that it cant be backdated further. So I have a 2 month period where it wasn't taxed, wasnt SORN and was being driven on the road. I know, silly me. But an "honest" mistake - I also have a motorbike and renewed the tax on that just last month, its not like im trying to avoid paying it.

While applying for tax online, it came up with a screen that read along the lines of "It is an offence to be the registered owner of a vehicle and not licence it or declare the vehicle SORN. This vehicle can be licensed from the beginning June but the 2 month period in which it was not licensed is still considered an offence. The DVLA Continuous Licence Authority may be in touch with you regarding this".

So what do I do? Wait and see if I hear anything? Ring them up and confess, only to receive a fine for my honesty? It didn't say anything about contacting anyone, receiving fines or whatever. Just said they "may" be in touch. I'm more than happy to pay the outstanding tax, but don't particularly want to invite a £1000 fine.

Strange thing is I received my reminder through fine at the end of last year, and I have my V5, I haven't moved address etc. So don't know why I haven't heard anything at all - not even the £80 fine that would have been sent out on 1st May. Will be interesting to see if i receive the tax disc OK (my motorbike ones came through OK).

Like I say, not after sympathy, just advice! Thanks all in advance.

Rolandtheroadie

I'd just leave it. Worse case scenarios the fine, best case, they do nothing.

parody

Am I inviting more trouble by not contacting them?! Surely they would say "you need to contact XYZ to settle the discrepancy .....". Its all a little vague.

skellysgirl

someone i know got a fine, the fine was cheaper than the road tax!!!

noonesperfect

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Rolandtheroadie

The punishment/fine will be the same whether you contact them or not. Loose lips sink ships and all that.

parody

If they asked for proof I wasnt using it, I cant really prove I wasnt (cos I was!) Plus I read somewhere that it is an instant £1000 fine if you falsify information, so If I was directly asked I would tell the truth. I'm just a little worried there are letters in a black hole somewhere with £80, £1000 and CCJ's with my name on that I havent received!

I read many people saying they werent using their car and got the fine, but not many that were. Somewhere said they had to pay the x months duty that was owed plus a fine. Again happy with that, but would rather they contact me. Is it my responsibility in any legal sense to contact them and admit I had 2 months without paying?

parody

thanks scotsman4th, like your response! Seems unanimous so far!

another thing, if I sell it with a couple of weeks would I still be liable for it? guessing so. Would it make the offence / fine any worse?!

lonestar1

if your tax disc turns up they now know your address so future chase up letters should reach you . In short cross that bridge when/if it comes your way

Paparika

Give em a few months and they will write to you and tell you to pay the fine, you won't get away with it (sorry)