SORN, DVLA, Living abroad, Court

amwhitta · 1 August 2015 at 3:12PM

Hi there

I moved abroad to work last August 2014 and I wrote to the DVLA to confirm this informing them that my car would be left in a garage at my mothers farm (off road basically) and requested a SORN for the car. I changed my car insurance from fully comprehensive to Fire and Theft as well. I went abroad without having received anything from the DVLA; although with moving abroad and all that entails this was not something I really took note of until I was abroad. When I tried to complete the SORN on-line I was unable to as the 16 digit number I had, it kept saying it was invalid and was being used either too early or it was out of date - I was using the DVLA Beta website for this; I kept trying again, on and off, with the same results. Until, finally, on 10 February 2015 it accepted the numbers and completed the SORN.
I had planned coming to the UK this summer and have had my car insurance changed to fully comprehensive for the period and have bought a 6 month tax disc.
However, I've just come back now to see family and friends and have discovered that the DVLA are stating that on 6 February 2015 the car was not insured - fine of £100; there are then 3 letters I have been given from the people living where I used to in the UK - one stating the fine was unpaid and had gone to court to claim that and additional costs, the second a request to attend court regarding the matter and a third letter stating I have failed to do anything about the fine etc and the bill is now £330 and there could be a warrant for my arrest to re-attend court unless I pay the bill.
I have spoken to the court and explained I live abroad and was abroad when these letters were sent and they have put the matter on hold and told me to contact the DVLA.
I emailed the DVLA and they have just sent a stock reply stating the matter is with the court and they cannot get involved.

Has anyone ever experienced this situation before and or do you have any advice for me of how to tackle this matter? Has anyone else had issues with the online process of completing a SORN?