V11 Road Tax reminder not arrived

Jaybee_16

facade said:

Mine came for the 1st of October, so they have likely fixed the problem, if there was one.

Mine also due 1 October, paper reminder arrived weeks ago.

Gusperla

born_again said:

All these people using computers have a calendar installed.

Simple MSE money/fine saving measure. You know when you last paid. Set a reminder for next year. Bingo reminder pops up & you can renew without having to pay the extra 5% for DD or the fine 😍

It is perfectly correct that there are alternative means of setting a reminder. It is also perfectly correct that it is the legal responsibility of the keeper to ensure that the vehicle is taxed. But I don’t think those are the sole points.

If a government agency supposedly has a system in place to send out reminders to such extent that it has an officially designated form containing information to tax the vehicle (the V11), then it is reasonable to expect that the system is operated properly by that government agency. After all, it is reasonable to assume that the cost of the V11 process (as part of the agency’s annual running costs) is factored into setting the amount of the annual tax and in that sense we are paying to be reminded by the DVLA.

While the DVLA on its website asserts that all V11’s have been dispatched properly without delay, I know from my own correspondence with the DVLA that the agency in fact cannot prove that any individual V11 has been dispatched without delay (or at all).

There has clearly been a problem recently in the processing of (some) V11s, and it is not unreasonable to expect the DVLA to provide a prompt explanation of that problem. 

It is noteworthy that the timing of the problem regarding V11s appears to coincide with the DVLA setting up the online account system whereby the account holder can opt out of the V11 reminder system. 

Of course, many people (including myself) cannot take advantage of the  online account system as they do not hold a current/recently expired passport.

badmemory

Presumably it will dawn on the DVLA when they get their postal bill that at least one month wasn't as much as it normally is.  Or does someone think the postal are dumping many thousands of envelopes in the recycling & putting themselves out of work.

GrannyKate

Like some others I received two reminders letters from DVLA a few days apart for tax due the end of July. 

Gusperla

GrannyKate said:

Like some others I received two reminders letters from DVLA a few days apart for tax due the end of July. 

Thank you for the information. Interestingly in correspondence I’ve had with the DVLA the agency states “ The system is unable to issue duplicate V11s …”.  So your own experience contradicts the agency’s assertion.

I have also now discovered that the correspondence I’ve received from the DVLA in the last few days on the issue is in fact simply a copy of a statement posted by the agency on Facebook 4 years ago. 

Marmaduke123

GrannyKate said:

Like some others I received two reminders letters from DVLA a few days apart for tax due the end of July. 

I received two reminders from DVLA in the same post for car tax due from 1st August. It looks as if something went seriously wrong with their processes, at least in that month.

newleaf

I did not receive a V11 when my tax expired in August.  I only realised today, when checking when my MOT is due.
I was ill last year and declared SORN for a few months, and stupidly forgot to make a note in my calendar of the new expiry date.
Absolutely horrified today to discover I’ve been driving untaxed (and, by default, with void insurance) for almost four months!
When I renewed online, I received an on screen warning notice about the lapsed tax, and that DVLA may be in touch with regard to the criminal offence committed!
I do realise I have no defence, but if I had received the expected V11 notice it would not have happened.

TooManyPoints

Absolutely horrified today to discover I’ve been driving untaxed (and, by default, with void insurance)

Er....no you haven't.

newleaf

Update.
been on to DVLA this morning.
I was informed V11 forms are sent to Royal Mail 8 weeks in advance of renewal date, and RM dispatch them nearer the time!  I guess mine is still in a sack on the sorting room floor then, since they were on strike in June/July when my form should have been in the pipeline.
When I commented that it hadn’t arrived here, I was shirtily informed that they are sent ‘as a courtesy’, no legal obligation on DVLA, blah blah …
the legal obligation is on the vehicle owner to be aware blah blah.
The good news is there’s a phone line (0300 790 6808) where you can pay for your lapsed months, I spoke to a delightful lady and paid up my £42.50, so I’m no longer a criminal!

Bigwheels1111

Don’t get me wrong a reminder is nice.
But if you don’t know when your tax, insurance and mot is due why are you driving.
I set reminders on my Pc, iPad, phone and old fashioned I know ( Callander) hung on the fridge.
I check my oil and fluids, tyres and lights once a week.
I must just be old school.
10 days until I can tax my car for January 1st.