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DVLA - when to change address and potential fines for not doing so? - advice please?
meyouritabobsue
Posts: 7 Forumite
Sorry for the long post and hello, I am new to this forum: The pertinent question is in CAPS below:
This concerns the DVLA's definition of change of address and a wepage we found (I cannot post the link as a newbie - BUT it is kind of here (express.co.uk/life-style/cars/790448/DVLA-driving-licence-change-address-fine) and letters my partner has received from the DVLA
Background:
My partner received a speeding ticket dated April 2017. Because it was > 14 days it was contested, but the police replied with evidence they had sent it to a previous address where the car insurance was registered at the time of the offence. This was different to the address on the driving licence.
The reason the addresses were different were because my partner was in training and was required to move around for the role.
Places stayed at when training were up to 6 months and my partner was registered on the electoral role at these places, and changed car insurance details because it was where the car was most often parked (when my partner returned home they often travelled by public transport and left the car behind).
However bank details and driving licence details remained as the home address, this is where my partner felt that important post would be delivered (rather than relying on post being forwarded on from previous addresses).
Current situation
Since the speeding ticket (admitted and paid) my partner has received 2 letters from the DVLA.
This first ask for confirmation of address by asking for one of two boxes to be ticked. They said "I have used or lived at [address where the speeding ticket was originally sent]" or "I have never used or lived at [address where the speeding ticket was originally sent]".
The letter stated it was an offence to not update address details that carried a fine of £1k. We searched the internet and came up with the info posted above (the link I am not allowed to post).
Rather than tick the vague boxes (used or lived at is vague when you frequently move around because what is the definition of lived at? is a hotel where you stay for a week? What about your girlfriends/boyfriends where you keep clothes and stay 3 to 4 days a week?)
We replied asking for clarification on the term "used or lived at" with a statement that the address mentioned was one that was frequently stayed in during training, but the permanent address was always the one listed on the driving licence and bank statements.
A second letter was then received saying "to ensure the accuracy of DVLA records please confirm if ever lived at [adddress] we need this to update correct driving record with appropriate information"
Questions
1. It doesn't look like it is mandated to answer these questions, and there is no time limit on the 2nd letter.
IS IT WORTH IGNORING THESE LETTERS ....... because of a) and b) below?
a). The address was 'lived at' in that car insurance and electoral role information was registered there, but the permanent address was also lived at because weekends were spent there.
b). Hotels were also 'lived at' during training though no bills sent there and went by public transport so no need to change car insurance.
I am concerned that the DVLA are looking for an easy target to slap a 1K fine on, when my partner has only tried to be honest by moving car insurance to where the car is more regularly parked and paying council tax in an area regularly stayed in... but also tried to remain traceable by keeping important stuff at the permanent address. It seems all this kicked off after the police sent the speeding ticket to the address on the insurance rather than the driving licence.
Thanks so much for persevering with the long post. I look froward to your replies (and yes the speeding ticket has been paid).
This concerns the DVLA's definition of change of address and a wepage we found (I cannot post the link as a newbie - BUT it is kind of here (express.co.uk/life-style/cars/790448/DVLA-driving-licence-change-address-fine) and letters my partner has received from the DVLA
Background:
My partner received a speeding ticket dated April 2017. Because it was > 14 days it was contested, but the police replied with evidence they had sent it to a previous address where the car insurance was registered at the time of the offence. This was different to the address on the driving licence.
The reason the addresses were different were because my partner was in training and was required to move around for the role.
Places stayed at when training were up to 6 months and my partner was registered on the electoral role at these places, and changed car insurance details because it was where the car was most often parked (when my partner returned home they often travelled by public transport and left the car behind).
However bank details and driving licence details remained as the home address, this is where my partner felt that important post would be delivered (rather than relying on post being forwarded on from previous addresses).
Current situation
Since the speeding ticket (admitted and paid) my partner has received 2 letters from the DVLA.
This first ask for confirmation of address by asking for one of two boxes to be ticked. They said "I have used or lived at [address where the speeding ticket was originally sent]" or "I have never used or lived at [address where the speeding ticket was originally sent]".
The letter stated it was an offence to not update address details that carried a fine of £1k. We searched the internet and came up with the info posted above (the link I am not allowed to post).
Rather than tick the vague boxes (used or lived at is vague when you frequently move around because what is the definition of lived at? is a hotel where you stay for a week? What about your girlfriends/boyfriends where you keep clothes and stay 3 to 4 days a week?)
We replied asking for clarification on the term "used or lived at" with a statement that the address mentioned was one that was frequently stayed in during training, but the permanent address was always the one listed on the driving licence and bank statements.
A second letter was then received saying "to ensure the accuracy of DVLA records please confirm if ever lived at [adddress] we need this to update correct driving record with appropriate information"
Questions
1. It doesn't look like it is mandated to answer these questions, and there is no time limit on the 2nd letter.
IS IT WORTH IGNORING THESE LETTERS ....... because of a) and b) below?
a). The address was 'lived at' in that car insurance and electoral role information was registered there, but the permanent address was also lived at because weekends were spent there.
b). Hotels were also 'lived at' during training though no bills sent there and went by public transport so no need to change car insurance.
I am concerned that the DVLA are looking for an easy target to slap a 1K fine on, when my partner has only tried to be honest by moving car insurance to where the car is more regularly parked and paying council tax in an area regularly stayed in... but also tried to remain traceable by keeping important stuff at the permanent address. It seems all this kicked off after the police sent the speeding ticket to the address on the insurance rather than the driving licence.
Thanks so much for persevering with the long post. I look froward to your replies (and yes the speeding ticket has been paid).
0
Comments
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meyouritabobsue wrote: »Background:
My partner received a speeding ticket dated April 2017. Because it was > 14 days it was contested, but the police replied with evidence they had sent it to a previous address where the car insurance was registered at the time of the offence. This was different to the address on the driving licence.
The relevant address is the one on the car's V5C.
That's the one it gets sent to, not the insurance, not the driving licence.This first ask for confirmation of address by asking for one of two boxes to be ticked. They said "I have used or lived at [address where the speeding ticket was originally sent]" or "I have never used or lived at [address where the speeding ticket was originally sent]".
And has he?
You're getting tied up in irrelevances.I am concerned that the DVLA are looking for an easy target to slap a 1K fine on, when my partner has only tried to be honest by moving car insurance to where the car is more regularly parked and paying council tax in an area regularly stayed in... but also tried to remain traceable by keeping important stuff at the permanent address. It seems all this kicked off after the police sent the speeding ticket to the address on the insurance rather than the driving licence.
The V5C and licence addresses have to be a UK address at which he can be contacted by post in a timely manner. No more, no less. If you update your licence address, that does not affect the V5C address. Why would it? You might want them different for whatever reason.
The insurer want to know where the car is actually kept at night - because that affects the risk.
The first step of a speeding ticket is a request to identify the driver. This is ALWAYS sent to the V5C address. It is not sent to a driving licence address... because the driver is unidentified at that stage. But the car's registered keeper is known, from the registration number in the photo - and they have a legal duty to identify the driver unless they have a very credible reason not to know.
Nobody cares about hotels, council tax, or whatever. Just... could he be contacted at the V5C address in a timely manner? That's the only thing that matters.0 -
Thanks for your fast reply.
Once more my partner is away training again but I will investigate the V5 situation. I think it was always the same address as the driving licence address unless it was changed without me realising, and that will answer your question in caps (could he be contacted in a timely manner?).
Your question "and has he?" - (partner is female btw) - well yes they have both used and lived at that address - but also used and lived at many other addresses whilst training.
An insurance broker friend I spoke to did say the police CAN trace your address through your insurance and often do so.
Apologies if my post is tied up in irrelevancies, I am hoping that posting here can make the situation clearer.
in the meantime SHOULD WE JUST IGNORE THE LETTER FROM THE DVLA?
Thanks again, really appreciated.0 -
meyouritabobsue wrote: »An insurance broker friend I spoke to did say the police CAN trace your address through your insurance and often do so.
Yes, they can. But they won't bother - unless the V5C address has come up as a dead end.in the meantime SHOULD WE JUST IGNORE THE LETTER FROM THE DVLA?
That will never, ever make things smoother.0 -
Thank you, I was hoping they (DVLA) would just go away - they have a reputation of being incompetent.
Just checked: The V5 has always been registered to the same address as the driving licence, It looks like the police sent the speeding ticket to the insurance address and it is the insurance address that the DVLA are investigating.
How would you recommend we reply, to make it clear we kept contact (V5 and driving licence) address consistent to allow easy contact (in such instances as a speeding ticket)? The link has spooked us somewhat in that it looks like the DVLA are out to make easy money from fines
( What do they do with medical students who move regularly ? - arbitrary question I know )
Thanks again for your engagement0 -
Ignore the driving licence address. This is not about the driving licence address. Not about the insurance address. This is about the V5C address... Just answer the questions they're asking. Don't go off on one about other stuff.
Students always used to leave their licence and V5C addresses at their parents', because they can be contacted there in a timely manner.0 -
The question they are asking is vague, and carries an implication of a £1K fine (their first letter)
The V5 address has always matched the licence address. This was NOT the address the police sent the speeding ticket to.
With respect to answering the DVLA and their second letter is it appropriate to say:
"The V5 and driving licence are registered to the permanent address at which contact for me can be made in a timely manner. The address you previously state has been used, has have other addresses, because I have moved regularly for training purposes"
Will that make them back off?
( I have read so many horror stories re: DVLA incompetence, and also their budgets are being cut. If they can make an easy £1k from fines I am suspicious enough that they would try to do so even though we have only tried to be upfront and honest by changing insurance etc)0 -
I suspect the folowing has happened.
1. NIP sent to V5C address. Returned (wrongly) as undeliverable by Royal Mail.
2. Police then send NIP to insurance address, and notify DVLA.
3. DVLA now enquiring as a routine anti-fraud measure.
Best to reply ASAP and put an end to their enquiries.
BTW the Express article is rubbish.0 -
The first speeding ticket (which would actually have been a NIP, not a ticket) will have been sent to the address shown for the registered keeper on the V5C at the time of the offence .....for the 14 days issue you contested with that is all that really matters.
Insurance details will have been looked at much later.
The £1k fine for not updating the address is a maximum and not a likely penalty - DVLA very rarely prosecute for the offence at all UNLESS there is evidence that the keeper is deliberately not updating the address with the intent of avoiding issues like speeding tickets.
As others have said - all that matters is that the address is one at which you can be contacted in a timely manner. Does not have to be where you are actually living, nor does it have any connection at all to the address on your driving licence.
What happened to the speeding offence - has that been dealt with ?0
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