Unfair fine from DVLA - should I appeal?

potofpens

In January, I inherited a car from my mum. The car was transferred to my name. My mum had got a tax disc for the car, which expired in March 2015. On 25th February my car was clamped, as I had not
entered details online, which I was not aware that I needed to do. The most important point is that the car is a low emissions vehicle, meaning no money was owed to the DVLA as you do not have to pay road tax for it.

As I do not use the car every day and it was parked a little way from my house, I did not see that it had been clamped until two days later. As it had been raining, the note was illegible so I was not sure what the reason for clamping was. I phoned the DVLA straight away and explained the situation and was told that the period in which I could pay the minimum fine of £100 would be extended given the circumstances. I then rushed back from work at lunchtime to pay the £100 fine. I was told that having paid it, I had done my duty and that the matter would be resolved. This was confirmed when I made the bank transfer over the phone. At no point was I told that there would be a further fine.

I now find that in a letter dated 3 months after all this (after I'd registered online for the tax) that there has been a court hearing in my absence and that I owe an extra £290. The DVLA now say that they gave me the option of paying £30 but I never received any notification of this.

I want to know if people think it would be worth my appealing this decision? If I pay, I will have paid a total of £390 for a situation in which I didn't owe any money in the first place...

Thanks!:(

The_Deep

You should post this here


http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60


this forum deals with private parking companies,

HHarry

PoP,

Unfortunately road tax (VED) can no longer be transferred when the owner is changed. The old owner gets a refund of unused months, and the new owner has to pay for 'new' tax. You may not have realised this, but it will be why you have been clamped for having no tax.

What is the car? If the DVLA had given you the option to pay £30 it suggest the car is actually in Band C for tax, rather than Band A which is zero rated. Paying the £100 fine but leaving the car untaxed, by not paying the £30 has led to the court case.

As The Deep suggests Pepipoo is the place to go for an appeal strategy.

potofpens

Thanks for your helpful reply. I did change the tax status (so it was in my name) right after I paid the clamping fine, that's why I'm so confused... I will have a go at posting on the other forum. :beer: