Charge for vehicle tax twice

jennijenjen

Hi wondered if anything like this happened to anyone.

We moved house on 1st September, and I changed my name from marriage as well.
I don't think these are relevant because they don't coincide with the supposedly 'missed' taxing date.

I just received a letter from DVLA today, that my vehicle is not taxed and it looks like a 'Last warning' letter rather than a reminder, which I didn't get.
I checked online and it indeed says that my vehicle was due to tax on 1st September. But I didn't received any reminder in August. For a second I thought maybe the reminder letter was sent to now rented out property, but they would have sent it in August.

In order to avoid any clamping or drama I just paid for six months, hoping to get a refund due to a potential error on their system.

Has this happened to anyone? I called the number on 0300 790 6802 hoping to speak to someone for a speedy action, but the machine says this number is invalid but still gets a lot of calls?! What the hell...
So I tried emailing them online - got a confirmation that they received it and will try to respond in 3 days.

Arunmor

Surely a quick check of your bank statements will tell you if you have paid twice.  I don't see what the problem is?

400ixl

How did you pay for your vehicle tax last year and this year?

maman

Maybe I'm being dense but I think you've said that, although you didn't get a reminder, you've recently paid for 6 months. Where does the paying twice occur? 🤔 Are you disputing that the vehicle was due to be taxed? 🤞

Bigphil1474

OP, as above, go through your bank statements and work out whether you have paid twice or not - did you reregister the car at the new address and maybe they've thought you are a new owner rather than just the same owner moving house? If so, they would have cancelled the road tax on the old owner and refunded any payment made, and then you pay again as a new owner, so potentially paying the same month twice. Normally, you would just reregister the vehicle as moving house so it doesn't affect road tax (just done that myself).

I would recommend going onto direct debit, which can be monthly or annual, as a fool proof way of not forgetting to pay it. It's also worth putting a mail redirect when you move house, it's not expensive, and there's usually something you forget to update.

Nasqueron

OP - scrap the renewal reminder letter, get the email one so it's instant and cannot get lost in the post and/or set a date on phone calendar as a reminder!

sheramber

It does appear that DVLA have the impression that you are a new owner , when you notified your change of name and address. 

They will have ceased the record in your old name and refunded any tax payment overpaid. 

A new record is now held under your new name and address with tax being payable from 1st September .