Fine from HMCS/DVLA

[Meg888]

We sold a vehicle two years ago, sent in the notification of a new keeper off to DVLA. We moved house shortly later then last year we received (as we had mail redirection in place for a few months) a warning from the DVLA at our old address that we had failed to notify them of the new keeper. I wrote to them informing them that we had and gave over the new keepers details once again. I also informed them of our new address and we heard no more. Two weeks ago we received a letter from the HMCS stating that we had not paid a fine! There was absolutely no info on the their letter relating to what this fine was about, so we wrote requesting more info. We have received a further letter stating it was a fine from DVLA for not notifying them of a new keeper, plus £75 court charges. I cannot for the life of me find a copy of the letter on my PC of when I wrote to them last year, though I know I did. Is there any way I can dispute this or do I just have to pay? Thanks in advance.

[factor-fiction]

Even if you found a copy of the letter on your PC I doubt it would help. They are not necessarily saying you didn't send it- they are saying they didn't receive it.
It's best to send by recorded delivery- though that's easy to say with hindsight and I don't think most of us think of it at the time

[themas]

DVLA operate a system where they expect you to contact them if you get no acknowledgement of a notification of ownership change within (I think) 4 weeks of sending it off. This puts the onus on you to check & make sure you get an acknowledgement. If you do not get one, & don't go on chasing them up until you do get one, they in effect hold you responsible for failing to notify them - whether the problem is with postal loss or loss/inefficiency at DVLA. A very one-sided system!

So I think that, even if you do find the letter you sent, you will still be held liable. Probably best to pay up before other nasty things (bailiffs?) happen.

[Meg888]

Thanks for your replies, I didn't hold much hope of resolving this without paying, but thanks anyway.

[north star]

Have a read of this http://forums.pepipoo...x.php?showtopic=49961 and then perhapspost your own question on their forum. Not the same circumstances but a similar theme

One question though, how come this is the first you have heard about the fine from the court. Is this a court 'fine' at all or DVLA 'fine'

[Meg888]

To NorthStar:

'One question though, how come this is the first you have heard about the fine from the court. Is this a court 'fine' at all or DVLA 'fine' '

We moved a couple of months after selling the vehicle (in Aug 2008). I received a letter last summer stating that we had not notified the DVLA of the new keeper as we still had mail redirection in place. We then wrote again informing them and notified them of our new address. I've no idea why we have not received further communciation from them, as obviously the court now have our current address. When we asked the court for further info re the fine, there was a computerised sheet attached presumably from DVLA stating the charge, this was listed at my old address still. It has definitely been dealt with by the court as the letter states it is a non payemnt of a fine and it's been received from the HMCS.

[north star]

you may have to file a statutory declaration to get the fine overturned, though not entirely sure if this is correct. The peppipoo guys will give you all the help you need.
Be sure though that it will be a lot of hassle

[Meg888]

Thanks North Star & Eddie, I will try and do that. Hopefully I will get it overturned, if not I will certainly be more aware in future as I've had loads of probs with DVLA in the past claiming I havent done this & that, but managed to prove otherwise before it got too hairy.

Thanks again.

[c0llette]

Hi as DVLA has to deal with so many vehicles and drivers there are bound to be errors that is why the system of acknowledgement letters is good. Only the registered keeper knows if they have declared SORN or sold a vehicle it is therefore sensible that they look out for the acknowledgement letter. It is a simple system with written confirmation.

[lardhelmet]

I deal with the DVLA on an almost daily basis at work and they always encourage people to phone them. I think the organisation is so vast & there are so many different departments that stuff can and does go astray. I'm always found them very helpful and not at all sniffy