Taxing cars with 11 digit documentation numbers
Discussion
I tried to tax my new car on line but it demanded a 12 digit document number (the car came with the old 11 digit reference document).
While my call to the DVLA was on hold, I tried entering a zero (0) followed by my 11 digit number. It worked perfectly and I have received email confirmation of acceptance of my direct debit.
When I got through, I suggested they put a guidance note for users with the 11 digit numbers.
They told me that to do it that way was "not correct procedure" and I should have done it at a Post Office.
But if it works, why not?!
While my call to the DVLA was on hold, I tried entering a zero (0) followed by my 11 digit number. It worked perfectly and I have received email confirmation of acceptance of my direct debit.
When I got through, I suggested they put a guidance note for users with the 11 digit numbers.
They told me that to do it that way was "not correct procedure" and I should have done it at a Post Office.
But if it works, why not?!
NeilHarvey1 said:
I tried to tax my new car on line but it demanded a 12 digit document number (the car came with the old 11 digit reference document).
So the seller of the car kept the green slip he should have given you, and gave you the main bit, which he should have posted to Swansea?In that case, you need to send the main V5C off, and you need to apply for tax with a V62, since you don't have the green slip.
TooMany2cvs said:
So the seller of the car kept the green slip he should have given you, and gave you the main bit, which he should have posted to Swansea?
In that case, you need to send the main V5C off, and you need to apply for tax with a V62, since you don't have the green slip.
Older new keeper's slips can have an 11 digit number. My Eunos did...In that case, you need to send the main V5C off, and you need to apply for tax with a V62, since you don't have the green slip.
OP, I'd be worried that adding a 0 would confuse the system - wouldn't want to be wrongly accused of driving untaxed etc.
But, as I posted, I have already received email confirmation from the DVLA that my direct debit has been set up and thanking me for it.
It is therefore difficult to see how they could prosecute me under those circumstances.
My 11 digit number was obviously in their software system, as it was recognised immediately, when in 12 digit format with the preceding 0. Either the software designer developed it that way or it was a fortunate accident.
My guess is that, when the first users tried to enter 11 digit numbers without the zero and failed, they reported this and the DVLA, rather than consulting the developers, decided to tell users to tax their vehicles at a Post Office.
The DVLA woman seemed genuinely surprised when I told her that it had worked in the 12 digit format.
It is therefore difficult to see how they could prosecute me under those circumstances.
My 11 digit number was obviously in their software system, as it was recognised immediately, when in 12 digit format with the preceding 0. Either the software designer developed it that way or it was a fortunate accident.
My guess is that, when the first users tried to enter 11 digit numbers without the zero and failed, they reported this and the DVLA, rather than consulting the developers, decided to tell users to tax their vehicles at a Post Office.
The DVLA woman seemed genuinely surprised when I told her that it had worked in the 12 digit format.
Chances are the numeric validation on the website is only formatted for 12 digits, but the underlying database will accept 11-12 digits. When you add a leading zero it passes the format check of the website, but once queried into the database the leading 0 will be dropped and still register correctly with a record. 
Krikkit said:
Chances are the numeric validation on the website is only formatted for 12 digits, but the underlying database will accept 11-12 digits. When you add a leading zero it passes the format check of the website, but once queried into the database the leading 0 will be dropped and still register correctly with a record.
Thanks, much better reasoned and explained than my own effort.It'd be funny if you taxed someone else's car, hope you checked ha
It wouldn't let me do it on something on a yellow slip, tried as new keeper, said no, so I did it as the existing keeper and it did. Then it wouldn't let me sorn it, bugger haha, great system though, should've done it years ago, no doubt some official will cock it up for fun.
It wouldn't let me do it on something on a yellow slip, tried as new keeper, said no, so I did it as the existing keeper and it did. Then it wouldn't let me sorn it, bugger haha, great system though, should've done it years ago, no doubt some official will cock it up for fun.
TooMany2cvs said:
MajorMantra said:
Older new keeper's slips can have an 11 digit number.
Umm, you do know that all the pre-red V5Cs have been superceded and should have been replaced, yes?I only got a red one for my bike last year, after I asked why I hadn't got one.
NeilHarvey1 said:
While my call to the DVLA was on hold, I tried entering a zero (0) followed by my 11 digit number. It worked perfectly and I have received email confirmation of acceptance of my direct debit.
They told me that to do it that way was "not correct procedure" and I should have done it at a Post Office.
Let's all do this!! Anything that gets round their systems makes me feel good.They told me that to do it that way was "not correct procedure" and I should have done it at a Post Office.
Nigel Worc's said:
TooMany2cvs said:
MajorMantra said:
Older new keeper's slips can have an 11 digit number.
Umm, you do know that all the pre-red V5Cs have been superceded and should have been replaced, yes?I only got a red one for my bike last year, after I asked why I hadn't got one.
MajorMantra said:
I don't recall what colour mine was, but I had no reason to believe the seller was untrustworthy and I had no problem taxing the car at the Post Office. (And getting a new V5C.)
And the DVLA confirmed to me that there was no problem re-registering a car with the old documents, they simply advise people to do as you did and do it at a Post Office and seemed unaware that their system would accept the old number in 12 digit form.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff