The DVLA Vs The Council Vs Me
Discussion
So, I realise I'll get zero sympathy from PHs, but I'll give this a go anyway.
I have two cars; a daily driver and a little toy track thing. I don't want to run the toy track thing over the winter, so I'd like to DECLARE IT UN-USED it for the next few months.
All very straight forward, except I've just paid a £125 fine to the DVLA because my previous daily drive, SORN up until I sold it a week ago, was spotted parked outside of my house. Which is a flat (with an upstairs... whatever) so has no driveway, only the on the road parking (the rear yard is too small to house a car)
Anyways, here's the problem (if it's not already obvious enough) I cant park the SORN'd car outside of my flat. I don't want to burden my parents with having it on their drive (they already have a car and a caravan) and I don't know anyone else who could take it. I spoke to the DVLA and they said ask for clarification from the local council what constitutes a 'public highway', which I did, but was met with the most obnoxious thick as pig s
t tosspot I've ever had misfortune of dealing with (he basically told me to f*ck off, he doesn't care)
So, yeah rules are rules - my previous daily drive was SORN and parked on the public highway. I've paid the ton fine, no arguments.
But how, short of moving house (which I cant afford) or renting a garage (which I cant afford) do I keep the little toy track day car? It's going to be on semi-slicks soon so of absolutely no use during the winter (lets ignore the issue of the car wasting away through lack of use)
First world problem. Expecting zero sympathy.
I have two cars; a daily driver and a little toy track thing. I don't want to run the toy track thing over the winter, so I'd like to DECLARE IT UN-USED it for the next few months.
All very straight forward, except I've just paid a £125 fine to the DVLA because my previous daily drive, SORN up until I sold it a week ago, was spotted parked outside of my house. Which is a flat (with an upstairs... whatever) so has no driveway, only the on the road parking (the rear yard is too small to house a car)
Anyways, here's the problem (if it's not already obvious enough) I cant park the SORN'd car outside of my flat. I don't want to burden my parents with having it on their drive (they already have a car and a caravan) and I don't know anyone else who could take it. I spoke to the DVLA and they said ask for clarification from the local council what constitutes a 'public highway', which I did, but was met with the most obnoxious thick as pig s
t tosspot I've ever had misfortune of dealing with (he basically told me to f*ck off, he doesn't care)So, yeah rules are rules - my previous daily drive was SORN and parked on the public highway. I've paid the ton fine, no arguments.
But how, short of moving house (which I cant afford) or renting a garage (which I cant afford) do I keep the little toy track day car? It's going to be on semi-slicks soon so of absolutely no use during the winter (lets ignore the issue of the car wasting away through lack of use)
First world problem. Expecting zero sympathy.
Edited by THX on Monday 3rd November 18:38
If you're going to keep it in a public parking area (an area which the public have access to) then it needs to be taxed, so it needs to be insured, so it needs an MOT. Those are the rules.
Your only alternative is to find somewhere off road to park it, for example maybe you could rent a garage somewhere.
Your only alternative is to find somewhere off road to park it, for example maybe you could rent a garage somewhere.
mrmr96 said:
If you're going to keep it in a public parking area (an area which the public have access to) then it needs to be taxed, so it needs to be insured, so it needs an MOT. Those are the rules.
Your only alternative is to find somewhere off road to park it, for example maybe you could rent a garage somewhere.
I'm sorry mate, I'm sure you're a nice guy and I thank you for taking the time to reply, however.... that's reply of the month right there. Do you work for the council?Your only alternative is to find somewhere off road to park it, for example maybe you could rent a garage somewhere.
ANYWAY...
A trailer... wheely?
I did suggest to the Council Man that, short of 'parking it on the f*cking roof' or 'hanging it from the f*cking sky' (this was long after polite question and answer time had descended into flat out arguing - he started it) I'm out of options, but that was said with the idea that it just needed to be 'lifted' from the public highway.
Would chucking it up onto a trailer get the DVLA off my back? (Although it would look an eyesore for the poor neighbours)
THX said:
mrmr96 said:
If you're going to keep it in a public parking area (an area which the public have access to) then it needs to be taxed, so it needs to be insured, so it needs an MOT. Those are the rules.
Your only alternative is to find somewhere off road to park it, for example maybe you could rent a garage somewhere.
I'm sorry mate, I'm sure you're a nice guy and I thank you for taking the time to reply, however.... that's reply of the month right there. Do you work for the council?Your only alternative is to find somewhere off road to park it, for example maybe you could rent a garage somewhere.
If it has the number plates removed does it become a trailer, a non-object? or is it an additional offence?
It seems very draconian, but rules is rules. There must be an inventive way round it
Could a car cover over it do the job? A mini-shed just large enough to cover it?
There must be some way around this...... Let's help the OP.
It seems very draconian, but rules is rules. There must be an inventive way round it
Could a car cover over it do the job? A mini-shed just large enough to cover it?
There must be some way around this...... Let's help the OP.
StottyEvo said:
I live in a flat with a parking space and to be honest it wouldn't enter my mind to park an untaxed, uninsured or unMOTd car there. Surely you must know someone who would allow you to store it on their land? If not I suggest you get more mates 
Haha. Just reading my two replies back, is it any wonder I'm sort of friends?Nah my mates are either in flats or a house but married (who's missus is going to tolerate my 'spare' car on her driveway for the next 4-6 month?)
It's just frustrating. Rules are rules, yes, but surely the council could declare 'outside of your house' fair game? The DVLA don't care - in fact, they suggested if the council agree that it parked outside my house is reasonable, I could contest the fine.
Basically, some unwavering nerd at the council told me 'he didn't care'. And I object to being told that I cant do something just because some grey faced soulless bellend at the council 'doesn't care'. It's not a huge ask - it's just a car parked in a quiet street with loads of free, marked, parking space (obviously I didn't expect the council bell end to know that off the top of his head, areas vary, but still)
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Bill said:
I'm starting to sympathise with the bloke from the council.
It's been a long day. Weekend. Previous week. Month.
However... you did answer with something I'd already said I was aware of.
Edited by THX on Monday 3rd November 18:51
I've never sided with council before, even when they're right I try to be against them. Not with you though, I'm with the bloke from the council too and I've only got a few posts on a thread in a forum to go from
Throw a car cover over it so they can't see the number plate from the anpr thing thats nabbed you?
Throw a car cover over it so they can't see the number plate from the anpr thing thats nabbed you?
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