SORN Rant!

Sidewinder · 24th April 2008, 01:50

Here goes....

Tax and MOT were due at the end of last month but I knew that the car would fail the MOT due to needing a new ABS pump. Bought one on E Bay but couldn't get it fitted straight away as I was working away, so mindful of the automatic fine for not re-taxing I declared SORN and kept the vehicle off the road. Duly had the work done last week and the car went through the MOT fine yesterday. All in order so far.

This morning though I went to the Post Office with my nice shiny MOT and my reminder for the tax and the computer wouldn't let me tax the vehicle as it has been declared off road. Apparently I need the Registration Document to now tax it, so toddled off home and started to turn the house upside down - I can't find it anywhere. Am now told by DVLA that I can only un-SORN the car by taxing it, and the Registration Document is the only one which will allow me to do this

. A replacement document will cost £25 and will take up to 14 days.

Yes I know that I should be able to lay my hands on the wretched piece of paper straight away, but why on earth can one enter a number online to declare SORN yet not go through the same process to un-SORN? I am now faced with having to drive an untaxed vehicle while I am waiting as I have absolutely no alternative to get to work 40 miles away. If only Post Offices didn't have computers I could just tax it with the reminder, but as soon as they scan the barcode it refuses the transaction!

Rant over....until I start again in the morning!

Conniff · 24th April 2008, 10:30

Your on very risky ground driving without tax. Not only will you be adding to the pleasure of DVLA if you get caught, but you risk loosing the car and having to pay a great deal of money to get it returned, so driving without the disc could be counter productive in more ways than one.

Sidewinder · 24th April 2008, 14:22

I know and am terrified, but I live 40 miles from work, public transport is simply not viable, and my boss has run out of patience!

buzby · 24th April 2008, 14:50

You can un-SORN online. All you need to enter is the Registration (V5C) document number. This will allow the Insurance and MoT check and a disc to be issued. Of course, if you didn;t keep a note of this number (before misplacing the form) you've gotta problem!

Rob S · 24th April 2008, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

You can un-SORN online. All you need to enter is the Registration (V5C) document number. This will allow the Insurance and MoT check and a disc to be issued. Of course, if you didn;t keep a note of this number (before misplacing the form) you've gotta problem!

The OP had already stated that he can't find the V5 in his original post.

buzby · 24th April 2008, 17:10

Who rattled your cage?

Roll your eyes all you want - you only need the document NUMBER from the V5, not the document itself. I keep a record of mine seperately to save looking it out every time I retax online. Shame you missed the subtelty of the comment - but as it wasn't for your benefit.

Delighted to see your lack of goodwill rising once again to the surface.

Sidewinder · 24th April 2008, 17:31

Thanks for the comments guys......much appreciated.

Have bitten the bullet and ordered a new V5 over the phone - quoted 14 days officially but in her experience normally less than 3 working days - who knows I may even get it sooner.

I will certainly keep a scanned copy of this one.......the Post Office even told me that had I had one of the 'lost' one they could still have used that as they just need to scan the barcode

Rob S · 25th April 2008, 01:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

Who rattled your cage?

I see your goodwill is still present and correct in abundance old chap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

Roll your eyes all you want - you only need the document NUMBER from the V5, not the document itself.

Indeed, that is correct. But I wonder how many (or to be more accurate, how few) people actually have a seperate record of this number? Probably on a par with the number of people who have made a seperate note of the VIN number on their car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

I keep a record of mine seperately to save looking it out every time I retax online. Shame you missed the subtelty of the comment - but as it wasn't for your benefit.

You must be one of a very small minority who makes a note of the relevant number on the V5. But to the vast majority your post was as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

Delighted to see your lack of goodwill rising once again to the surface.

Only towards you old chap. I can't think of anyone else more deserving of it

This one was almost as good as when you advised someone to contact DVLA for information in relation to an attack on their cat by a dog!!

buzby · 25th April 2008, 09:09

Like a dog with an old bone...

Since you've nothing remotely useful to add to this thread I'm off to serve more deserving causes. As for your last comment, which you trot out at any opportunity as seeming justification of some point or other - perhaps you should look up 'reasonable cause'. It works for me.

Rob S · 25th April 2008, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

Since you've nothing remotely useful to add to this thread I'm off to serve more deserving causes.

Yes, your reputation does need a bit of a boost, given the ratio of the number of messages you have posted here against the reputation you have received.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

As for your last comment, which you trot out at any opportunity as seeming justification of some point or other - perhaps you should look up 'reasonable cause'. It works for me.

You are the only one it works for in those circumstances. I recall that everyone else who commented on it didn't agree with you.

The trouble with you Buzby is that you like to point out other posters mistakes on CAG but you can't handle it when people point out your stupidity. If you can't take it then don't dish it out.

gwc1000 · 25th April 2008, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

Indeed, that is correct. But I wonder how many (or to be more accurate, how few) people actually have a seperate record of this number?

I'm willing to lay odds that 99.9% of all vehicle keepers don't even know that the reg doc has this number. Apart, of course buzby who has a separate copy that he keeps in a safe place.

buzby · 25th April 2008, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwc1000

I'm willing to lay odds that 99.9% of all vehicle keepers don't even know that the reg doc has this number. Apart, of course buzby who has a separate copy that he keeps in a safe place.

Ever since online registration was introduced all those years ago (and I've 4 V5's to deal with) it was a no-brainer to keep a note in my diary of what they were. I'm sure I'm not alone in realising how useful that can be, it is just a pity others aren't so quick on the uptake.

NOTE TO READERS: Do it now. You know it makes sense!

gwc1000 · 25th April 2008, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzby

Ever since online registration was introduced all those years ago (and I've 4 V5's to deal with) it was a no-brainer to keep a note in my diary of what they were. I'm sure I'm not alone in realising how useful that can be, it is just a pity others aren't so quick on the uptake.

NOTE TO READERS: Do it now. You know it makes sense!

There you are, I'm right! I just wish I could be so organised

buzby · 25th April 2008, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwc1000

There you are, I'm right! I just wish I could be so organised

Wanna know the downside...? I still forgot a SORN...

Rob S · 25th April 2008, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwc1000

I'm willing to lay odds that 99.9% of all vehicle keepers don't even know that the reg doc has this number. Apart, of course buzby who has a separate copy that he keeps in a safe place.

It's abundantly clear that Buzby is very special

stevemcn · 18th June 2008, 16:06

I have the same beef Sidewinder, I was wondering if I could change my address to my mums, get the new doc then send it back with my address on it ?? Making a note of any numbers for future seems like a good idea, I will adopt this in the future.
If the bulk of our roads tax fees went on the road I might be more inclined to part with £25. for a replacement log.
I know what will happen, I will turn my house upside down looking for the log paper(which should be kept with the rest of the vehicles docs) only to fork out for the replacement, then I will find the bloody original one when I`m not looking for it.
All I want to do is tax my bike, why on earth can it not be done on the SORN, the thing is still registered in my name, still registered to my address, MOT & insurance in my name & my address. If the bike did not belong to me, I had no insurnce or MOT then I would not even be thinking to tax the thing................
DVLA, I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU MY MONEY

£25 for a replacement log is about 40 % of the annual raod fund.
Phew, that feel better.

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