DVLA arrears

crankusmaximus

Hi,

So I recently discovered that the direct debit I set up to pay my Car Tax got cancelled after only one payment. Unfortunately this payment was in March 2015, never had any contact from the DVLA to the best of my knowledge either about this or that the "first payment was marked for refund" Contacted the DVLA to query this (that quote was what the guy on the phone said) and it turned out that the dealer I bought the van off had been a bit slower than me in sending back his section of the V5. So when mine was processed it was quickly nullified by his, hence the cancelling of the direct debit.

So I have continued my life thinking that I don't have to worry about my tax as if anything changed I would be contacted about it. Until I checked my tax status and it said I was untaxed.

The letter from the DVLA enforcement department arrived today and says they cancelled the direct debit in error and that I owe £655 in tax arrears, which I am happy to pay, however the letter also says they are unable to accept installments.

So I have gone from starting a direct debit to spread the payments of my car tax, to having to pay almost 3 years of tax in a single lump sum. Due in part to my slack attitude to checking my finances, but due in a large part to the DVLA cancelling my DDicon and not telling me.

Interestingly, during the period I was 'not the registered keeper' I received a speeding fine from the constabulary the letter arriving in the same delivery as my housemate who was caught by the same camera on the same day! So I was obviously registered on someone's list.

Anyone got any advice on how I should proceed? I cannot afford £655 in a lump sum without going into debt which I have just about crawled out of by working 2 jobs.

Thanks

DUTR

You surely should have noticed that your budgeting left a greater balance as the DD was not being taken, you could should have left the money to build up to pay the lump sum, it's not a criticism of a new poster, but you and your mate need to mature somewhat as you both seem to have a blaze immature attitude to bills and road rules.
As a solution you may have to borrow the money to pay the one off fee to the dvla and then you can repay the loan at a rate that is comfortable and affordable to you subject to the lender agreeing.

crankusmaximus

Wow, thanks for the barrage! For the record I got clocked still doing 34mph 100 yards into a 30 limit coming out of a national speed limit I drive a van, I'm not a boy racer, I'm not proud of it, it is my one and only speeding ticket in 22 years of driving. I hold my hands up to being a bit rubbish with money - at the time I had a good job and I have no dependents my income was suficient that I didn't need to budget. Since then my full-time job became a part-time job so now I have 2 jobs and am looking at money more carefully which is when I noticed I hadn't had a DVLA direct debit come out, kept checking back until I found one. I went straight to the DVLA to query it as soon as I had found out.

Thanks for not criticising me.

System

Phone them, explain the money situation and that you don't dispute that you owe the money but ask if they would be willing to set up a payment plan. If they're being funny over it point out that if they don't and it goes to a debt collector or court that is what would happen anyway but they'd get less money per month.

DUTR

crankusmaximus wrote: »

Wow, thanks for the barrage! For the record I got clocked still doing 34mph 100 yards into a 30 limit coming out of a national speed limit I drive a van, I'm not a boy racer, I'm not proud of it, it is my one and only speeding ticket in 22 years of driving. I hold my hands up to being a bit rubbish with money - at the time I had a good job and I have no dependents my income was suficient that I didn't need to budget. Since then my full-time job became a part-time job so now I have 2 jobs and am looking at money more carefully which is when I noticed I hadn't had a DVLA direct debit come out, kept checking back until I found one. I went straight to the DVLA to query it as soon as I had found out.

Thanks for not criticising me.

It wasn't a barrage, at 22 years of driving that would put you at around 40yrs old eg should know better, 34mph is above 30mph and hence out of limits, I'm not saying to stick rigidly to the limits, just don't get caught when you don't . Budgettting should be done all of the time even if you were a euro lotto jackpot winner.
A possible solution was offered in the original reply.

DUTR

Tarambor wrote: »

Phone them, explain the money situation and that you don't dispute that you owe the money but ask if they would be willing to set up a payment plan. If they're being funny over it point out that if they don't and it goes to a debt collector or court that is what would happen anyway but they'd get less money per month.

I would imagine it will be just quicker and easier for them to sell the debt on rather than further manage the issue, I doubt they get pleasure in inflicting penaltiesand would much rather the users be up to date with the fees.

sevenhills

Tarambor wrote: »

Phone them, explain the money situation and that you don't dispute that you owe the money but ask if they would be willing to set up a payment plan. If they're being funny over it point out that if they don't and it goes to a debt collector or court that is what would happen anyway but they'd get less money per month.

When you buy 6 month VED as opposed to 12 months, the charge is quite steep. The DVLA is not a good place to get a loan, the OP needs to go to a bank for that, it will be cheaper.