Cancelling Driving

[bluebird34]

I have decided to give up driving my car what do I need to do and the order in which I should do it please.

[Khandro]

Sell it?

[bhg481]

AFTER you've sold the car you can cancel the insurance and also hand in your driving licence (or just let it expire).

[TonyV]

Just simply sell your car I would have thought. You could send your licence back to DVLA, but I would not for
1. You may change your mind, unlikely as I am sure you have thought it through. &
2. Driving licence is a useful form of photo ID.

[shoota]

Don't forget to claim a refund of any remaining months of tax.

[shoota]

I'd keep your licence going - you then could hire a car should you want one for a trip or something special.

[ummmm]

Is it worth selling?

[MallyJ]

You don't have to do anything...just sell your car and ensure you have your travel pass...if you are old enough. Claim anything that you have paid for in advance back and stop any standing orders.

[TonyV]

Shoota I would not advise cashing in tax, as you will only get knocked for not having it by potential buyer, and technically buyer could not drive the car away.

[bhg481]

TonyV - when you sell the car nowadays the tax cannot be transferred to the new owner, who must tax it himself from the start of the month. You can claim a refund for whole months remaining.

[The Builder]

Janet, I just wanted to say hello.

As others have said, it's well worth keeping your licence current. It doesn't cost much, and apart from hiring, you would be available to drive a friend's car if needed. :o)))

[New Judge]

//You can claim a refund for whole months remaining. //

You don't have to apply for a refund. The unexpired duty (whole months) is automatically refunded to the seller when the DVLA are notified of the transfer. As an aside, the Exchequer gains one month's duty for every car that is sold. The refund is only given on whole unexpired months and the buyer has to pay the duty from the first day of the month he acquires the vehicle. So the month in which the transfer takes place is being paid for twice.

[bhg481]

Thanks NJ, I thought that was the case but wasn't sure. I haven't sold a car since the rules changed.

[davebro]

"As an aside, the Exchequer gains one month's duty for every car that is sold."

Yes - quite iniquitous IMV. But any gain has surely been outweighed by (more) people not taxing their cars at all since the tax disc was done away with. Chances of getting done with ANPR must be quite low.

[davebro]

PS - just got my 3-years licence renewed & it seem to be a requirement to return the expired one. "Cut it in two & return to DVLA"

(and what if I DON'T?)

[bluebird34]

Hi Mr. Builder I was wondering how you would get in on the act ha ha thanks for your advice - nice to hear from you. The sort of advice I wanted was what order to do things in which I received from shoota and bhg and thank you for that. I have recently renewed my driving licence and had intended to keep it for photographic evidence. I think I will have difficulty selling my Fiesta although it still has 3 months MOT and is a lovely runner however it is 25 years old and like me not looking so good these days!!! Thanks again for taking the trouble to answer.

[TonyV]

ok bhg thanks for correction, you can see how long it is since I sold a car.
NJ the Exchequer will always find a way to make rules that favour it and not the general public.

[bhg481]

It might be of some use to a new driver bluebird. No street cred but no tax either on cars 25 years old and should be cheap insurance (whatever that means for a new driver). It's worth asking around.

[New Judge]

//Chances of getting done with ANPR must be quite low.//

Quite, Dave. But (and it's a big but) the DVLA are supposed to run regular reports of vehicles that are neither taxed nor SORN'd. Owners of vehicles that are neither are issued with Fixed Penalties and if they are not paid then court action follows. If a vehicle is not SORN'd then tax is payable (and it must also be insured), whether it is on the road or not. They don't have to be seen in use.

[Dodger666]

The first thing you should do is stop driving it, then dispose of it.