SORN issue

bluep

I bought a motorbike late last year, insured it, stuck it in a garage and have just looked at all the docs as its MOT is due next month. I then realised that the road tax has expired in the meantime. I stupidly assumed the seller had taxed and MOT'd it at the same time and as it was garaged, haven't looked at it for the winter months. If I had known, I would have declared it SORN.

I've just renewed the tax online (as soon as I realised) but got the standard wording about there being a gap and that I might be contacted/fined/taken to court. There's been quite a few months - I'm kicking myself over it as I am a very compliant person about this sort of thing.

Anyone have any idea whether they always follow these things up, whether its an £80 fine for not declaring SORN and if I pay then no problems (would gladly pay as I realise I have made a mistake) or would they be more likely to assume I'd been riding around with no tax unless I tell them it was garaged). Is there somewhere I can phone, explain the mistake and pay the fine? I really would not want any issues at court - it would look quite bad at work given my profession.

It's been consistently insured and covered by a valid MOT.

forgotmyname

DVLA do like to send you fines and charges for anything it seems.

So do expect something. Court issues will only happen if you dont pay.

missing_link_2

It hasn't helped you for not receiving the reminder,wouldn't surprise me it went to the previous owner

forgotmyname

If the logbook is in your name then the fine will goto you. If you failed to change the v5c then expect another fine for that.

You will be top of their xxmas card list this year i think. Report back if you do get something though, Because they are not very efficient...

Wig

You will be charged £80 for non SORN this is usually dropped to £40 for early payment.
You will then be asked to pay for the missing tax.

Up to you entirely,.... but this can easily go away by initially telling them that you did SORN it upon purchase and the fact that they did not process your letter is not your problem. And you will see them in court if it comes to it. They don't always take people to court for this and it could just go to debt collectors, whom you can write to and insist they stop contacting you as it is a contested debt. They have lost in court with this argument before.

bluep

Thanks guys for all the comments - very helpful. I definately changed the V5c - the reminder must have gone out just before we did that.

I've already paid for the tax from the first of this month online and have no issues with paying a non-SORN fine - although seems logical that either
a) I get fined for not declaring SORN when it was SORN and therefore no tax to pay for those missing months OR
b) I get fined for not paying tax and have to pay the missing tax!

Nevermind though.
I don't want to say I sent off a SORN declaration when I didn't (although appreciate that some people do feel ok with doing this) and I'd much rather pay a fine than end up in court proceedings as I wouldn't want to be involved in anythign that affected my job/profession.