TAX fine whilst at MOT appointment?

HappyChappy17

Hi All

I wonder if someone could kindly provide some advice regarding a fine for no tax.

Yesterday we received a fine for our vehicle being spotted on the road with no tax back on 4th May 2018. This was correct the car had no tax at the time the car was spotted at 15:14 however the reasoning for this is because the car was being MOT'd and with the garage at the time of the fine, not in our possession.

The vehicle was taxed at 17:01 on the same day and we had no knowledge this was reported before then.

I can't tax the vehicle without an MOT so how can the DVLA fine me when the car is having an MOT? If they checked there records before issuing the letter they would have seen the vehicle had passed an MOT that day then tax as quickly as possible afterwards! It infuriates me that you can't speak to anyone regarding this at the DVLA and the wording on the letter isn't friendly either. Never have been fined for stuff like this as we are law abiding citizens.

Are we in the wrong for this? Do we have to pay the fine?

Thanks,

akchpmn

Le_Kirk

This forum concentrates on Parking issues.

I believe it is OK to drive an untaxed car to a PRE-ARRANGED MOT test. Was there a gap in your tax coverage, e.g. did it run out in March and you were trying to tax in May?

When you say you have received a fine, did you not have to go to court or, at least, plead guilty by letter?

fisherjim

https://www.driving.co.uk/car-clinic/car-clinic-a-camera-caught-me-driving-untaxed-to-my-mot-test-im-being-prosecuted-what-should-i-do/

HappyChappy17

Le_Kirk wrote: »

This forum concentrates on Parking issues.

I believe it is OK to drive an untaxed car to a PRE-ARRANGED MOT test. Was there a gap in your tax coverage, e.g. did it run out in March and you were trying to tax in May?

When you say you have received a fine, did you not have to go to court or, at least, plead guilty by letter?

Hi

Yes, the car was not taxed and off the road since September as my partner was on Maternity Leave, therefore no requirement for two vehicles. The car was declared SORN and MOT expired as expected - the car was in the garage from the date it was SORN so off public roads. In May I scheduled an MOT appointment and drove the car there with no issues.

Apologies it's a penalty not a fine.

Is it possible to move this thread to the correct part of the forum?

Quentin

Take this to pepipoo for best advice

prowla

It is legal to drive to a pre-arranged MOT, so it should just be a matter of jumping through some hoops to sort it out.

https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification