DVLA fines

[sam1969]

i have just recieved a fine from the DVLA stating my car was parked or used on a publc road without tax. My car is parked on some grass at the front of my house. Can i get off on a technicallity as the grass is not a road. soz if this is a stupid question, but the grass is classed as a public footpath not road as they state( drive your car down the path in front of a copper and tell him its ok because the DVLA class it as a road and see what happens) . My car was going for scrap anyway as the engine had blown up and it was not financially viable to put it back on the road. It was towed away by the DVLA before i could scrap it. I think its just another money making scheme. I am just sick of getting ripped off by this goverment.

[redcrx]

"the grass is classed as a public footpath "

are you for real?

learn a bit more about car tax laws before you get another car or you'll be "ripped off" a bit more

[Ethel]

Your car was on the public highway:

The public highway, as defined by law, consists of any verge, footway, carriageway, bridleway or footpath that is maintained at public expense and over which the public has a right of way.

Any vehicle on the public highway has to have road tax.

So no, you won't get off on a technicality. Be thankful you weren't fined for parking on footpath or verge as well, or driving on the verge.

[M-A-T-R-I-X]

im glad you lot answered this, as I though it was a joke

[DrFilth]

if the vehicle is on the public highway or on private land you need to put it on a sorn if you are not going to use it. once it is on a sorn then you can keep it on the private land.

[david1702198]

still really the queens highway isnt it, the only way you would get "off" with it is if it was on private land, even then you still need to declare it sorn

[Panic Button]

Well you had a real problem getting rid of the car, if the engine had gone pop.

The local council have had to spend considerable resources getting your heap taken away from public land.

Think of the fine as a contribution to this.

[sam1969]

sorry i didn't make it clear. i signed the car over to the DVLA when they towed it away so they scrapped it. am i still liable for the fine?

[buildersmate]

Yes, because the offence occurred before you disposed of the vehicle.
Full marks for trying, but most of us don't reckon you can get away from this one.

[M-A-T-R-I-X]

if you were the registered keeper of the vehicle at the time of the fine, you are liable for the fine, regardless if the vehicle has since been scrapped.

[Ethel]

Yes you have to pay the fine.

[redcrx]

yep.

btw you know scrap price has rocketed recently and the scrap yards are often paying for old cars now instead of you having to pay to dispose of them.

That may even have paid your fine for you eh?

but yes, you will need to pay the fine

[Annlinda]

Hate to tell you this but you will also have to pay any back tax due, that is from the time the road fund licence ran out to the time it was scrapped. If you appear in court you will also have to pay costs (usually these days �60.00) and victim surcharge of �15.00

[ugly_bob]

And even some private land is considered as highways if the public has reasonable access to it. Places such as supermarket and pub car parks etc. Although technically private land, because of access, they are counted as part of the highway, so road laws apply there too.