6 Months Free Car Tax?
Discussion
I would appreciate your views on a query/moral dilemma. Bit of a convoluted story, but bear with me...
Receive the old V11 through the post a week or so ago, reminding me that my tax disc expires at the end of this month. I made a mental note to get it sorted. However, when getting into the car one morning, I happened to glance at the disc and noticed that it was valid until the end of April next year...Hmmm, confusing.
Now, I can't quite remember why, but the last time I renewed my tax, the disc was sent to me in the post. Trouble was, I had recently moved and not had a chance to update my details. Consequently, the disc was sent to my old address and, because I wasn't there to sign for it, it was returned to Swansea. I then had to go to my local DVLA office to get a duplicate disc (which is the one I have now).
Thing is, I never get a 12 month disc - always go for 6 months (force of habit, due to being used to owning cars that weren't expected to last more than 6 months!). Even if I had broken the habit of a lifetime on this occasion and forked out for the Full Monty, why would "the system" spit out a V11 six months later?
I can only hazard a guess that there was a cock-up at the local DVLA and they issued me with a duplicate 12 month disc to replace a 6 month one.
Worried that all this might cause me to fall foul of some ANPR camera somewhere, I rang Swansea today and, after taking some details, they said they would be "amending their records".
Have I just been (uncharacteristically) lucky?
Receive the old V11 through the post a week or so ago, reminding me that my tax disc expires at the end of this month. I made a mental note to get it sorted. However, when getting into the car one morning, I happened to glance at the disc and noticed that it was valid until the end of April next year...Hmmm, confusing.
Now, I can't quite remember why, but the last time I renewed my tax, the disc was sent to me in the post. Trouble was, I had recently moved and not had a chance to update my details. Consequently, the disc was sent to my old address and, because I wasn't there to sign for it, it was returned to Swansea. I then had to go to my local DVLA office to get a duplicate disc (which is the one I have now).
Thing is, I never get a 12 month disc - always go for 6 months (force of habit, due to being used to owning cars that weren't expected to last more than 6 months!). Even if I had broken the habit of a lifetime on this occasion and forked out for the Full Monty, why would "the system" spit out a V11 six months later?
I can only hazard a guess that there was a cock-up at the local DVLA and they issued me with a duplicate 12 month disc to replace a 6 month one.
Worried that all this might cause me to fall foul of some ANPR camera somewhere, I rang Swansea today and, after taking some details, they said they would be "amending their records".
Have I just been (uncharacteristically) lucky?
I would re-tax
DVLA will have record of your old V11 which you signed requesting 6 mo tax
This has triggered a new V11 to be mailed to you.
The ads on TV are always going on about 'THE Computer' so while you may get away from Plod, traffic wardens and taxcams, you would get grief if you didn't declare SORN.
DVLA will have record of your old V11 which you signed requesting 6 mo tax
This has triggered a new V11 to be mailed to you.
The ads on TV are always going on about 'THE Computer' so while you may get away from Plod, traffic wardens and taxcams, you would get grief if you didn't declare SORN.
eliminator said:
Write to DVLA quickly telling them you received the renewal notice but your tax disc (quote the serial number) does not expire until [date].
I'd play ignorant and do just that. Ring them though as time's running out! The DVLA will put the position right if they need to, but you don't have a great deal to lose so long as you re-tax if they realise their mistake.
Edited by alphadog on Tuesday 31st October 07:42
So, you have a tax disc that doesn't expire for the next 6 months, is correctly stamped and appropriate for your vehicle?
I'd* tell them there's been an admin error and you have 6 months tax left, and tell them they are free to come inspect the disc but any further correspondence demanding money will be taken as harrasment. Clearly you were mistaken when you thought you had only requested 6 months, and you have no recollection of the event.
*It's easy when you're not involved...do what you believe to be right!
I'd* tell them there's been an admin error and you have 6 months tax left, and tell them they are free to come inspect the disc but any further correspondence demanding money will be taken as harrasment. Clearly you were mistaken when you thought you had only requested 6 months, and you have no recollection of the event.
*It's easy when you're not involved...do what you believe to be right!
Also bear in mind that increasingly these days the possession of the appropriate bit of paper mans nothing. We are in the age where "'Puter says No/Yes*" * delete as required.
Eg possession of a valid Ministry test cert? Nah mans nothing, legally it is only the computer record which has any legal status in detremining whether you have a valid MOT.
Insurance almost in the same position, just a matter of time.
VED almost there.
Driving licence? Now just where did you pass your test Mr Michael Mouse?
Pay up, sleep straight at nights.
Eg possession of a valid Ministry test cert? Nah mans nothing, legally it is only the computer record which has any legal status in detremining whether you have a valid MOT.
Insurance almost in the same position, just a matter of time.
VED almost there.
Driving licence? Now just where did you pass your test Mr Michael Mouse?
Pay up, sleep straight at nights.
alphadog said:
I'd play ignorant and do just that. Ring them though as time's running out! The DVLA will put the position right if they need to, but you don't have a great deal to lose so long as you re-tax if they realise their mistake.
As I said, I've already rung them and they are amending their records.
tigger1 said:
So, you have a tax disc that doesn't expire for the next 6 months, is correctly stamped and appropriate for your vehicle?
I'd* tell them there's been an admin error and you have 6 months tax left, and tell them they are free to come inspect the disc but any further correspondence demanding money will be taken as harrasment. Clearly you were mistaken when you thought you had only requested 6 months, and you have no recollection of the event.
I'd* tell them there's been an admin error and you have 6 months tax left, and tell them they are free to come inspect the disc but any further correspondence demanding money will be taken as harrasment. Clearly you were mistaken when you thought you had only requested 6 months, and you have no recollection of the event.
This is pretty much my tack. I've given them the serial number of the disc and when I was asked if I'd paid for 12 months, I said I couldn't really remember but was "pretty sure" I had...
7db said:
Just because they are a faceless monster, why would it be ok to rip them off?
You've not paid for what you've been given.
They've made a mistake, which you've noticed. Pay your car tax like the rest of us.
You've not paid for what you've been given.
They've made a mistake, which you've noticed. Pay your car tax like the rest of us.
I've paid car tax "like the rest of us" every 6 months (or was it 12?) for the past 20 plus years; surely I'm due a bit of a rebate?
Their mistake. My benefit. If they can prove I only paid for 6 months, then I'll glady write the cheque. Until then, sod 'em.
Flat In Fifth said:
Pay up, sleep straight at nights.
I already do.
Thanks for all your comments.
Edited by Sciroccology on Tuesday 31st October 15:38
After a recent balls up where I had to send my document off to the not even slightly local dvla office I got my tax disc back. Right duty, right car etc, but it was on a 12 month disc, not a 6 month as i had requested and paid for.
If the car survives long enough i expect to retax in 6 months, even though noone would notice till 12 months had gone by it wouldnt be legally taxed im sure
If the car survives long enough i expect to retax in 6 months, even though noone would notice till 12 months had gone by it wouldnt be legally taxed im sure
Sciroccology said:
I've paid car tax "like the rest of us" every 6 months (or was it 12?) for the past 20 plus years; surely I'm due a bit of a rebate?
Their mistake. My benefit. If they can prove I only paid for 6 months, then I'll glady write the cheque. Until then, sod 'em.
Who - exactly - is "them". It's us.
The letter from DVLA said:
31 October 2006
Dear Mr *********
Thank you for your telephone call to our customer enquiry unit on 30th October with regards to the recent V11 licence renewal reminder form you have received.
Following my investigation I can confirm that an incorrect 12 month disc was issued. As you can see from the enclosed printout of your licence application made via the internet, you requested and paid for a 6 month disc commencing from 1 May 2006 this should then expire on 31 October 2006. Please could you return the incorrect disc to me in the pre-paid envelope provided as the licence is now invalid.
Please find enclosed the form V10 which you can use to licence the vehicle if the V11 form is unavailable to you.
Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Yours sincerely
Oh well, never mind. The cheque, as they say, is in the post.
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