DVLA - 'Unlicensed Vehicle' letter

shaun_from_Africa

I always thought that you only take a car on the road without valid tax if you were going for a booked MOT or for a booked repair if that repair was specifically for work required following the failure of a previous MOT.

eddie rex hasn't stated if this is the case here, but if the repair wasn't booked up or it wasn't to rectify the vehicle following a previous MOT then they were driving it illegally.

It also depends on what work was needed and if it made the car unroadworthy.

Joe_Horner

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

I always thought that you only take a car on the road without valid tax if you were going for a booked MOT or for a booked repair if that repair was specifically for work required following the failure of a previous MOT.

You always thought right. Although, "booked repair" doesn't have to be at a garage - it can be your mate's house cos he's got better tools than you and a back garden to get it off road in.

The key points are that the repairs must be arranged beforehand and at least some of them must be related to a previous MOT fail (there's nothing to stop you doing extra work at the same time).

Also worth noting is that there's no time-limit on the repairs so, in theory at least, you can fail an MOT today then lay the car up for a year, then drive somewhere to have the fail points repaired next February if you want to. Best to keep the fail sheet safe if you're planning that one though

eddie_rex

thank you all for commenting.

my only concern is this dvla letter needing me to pay this out of court settlement of £287 and £67. it sounds to me like a another money making scheme for the government to squander.

the letter states they need full payment for both alleged offences to avoid court action. i asked my solicitor if they actually do take court action and he said generally speaking they do. also the dvla mentioned down the phone there was that possibility.

currently i can afford to pay the £67. therefore what do you think is the best option??

1. pay the £67 and write a letter requesting more time to settle the £287.

2. ignore the threatening letters and wait for the court summons to arrive (if it ever happens).

Robisere

Pay to have your car transported on a low-loader, to take it for repair. That would have cost you less.

You had no VED licence and you made no effort to deal with that properly. You broke the law.

Take Option 1. If you ignore this, the result will be court costs on top of the £287.

forgotmyname

If it goes to court how much will it cost you?

More than the £67 and £287? + court fees and costs?

Sell the car or borrow the money if court will cost a lot more?

thenudeone

Police cannot seize a vehicle for no tax disc or no MOT.

DVLA and some councils can seize a car for no tax disc.

If it was seized under Police powers,, they must have had good reason to suspect either no driving licence or no insurance.

So - can you please tell us exactly why the car was seized on 22/11/13, and by whom?

spacey2012

Civil penalty offer, most ignore them.

Rover_Driver

spacey2012 wrote: »

Civil penalty offer, most ignore them.

No it is a criminal matter, contrary to s.29, Vehicles Excise & Registration Act 1994.

eddie_rex

or option 3

change my address.

tonyh66

eddie_rex wrote: »

or option 3

change my address.

your an idiot.

why are they still charging £67 for the first sighting if it didn't happen?

just pay up and get the flying squad off your back