Woad, I apologise for the last sentence of my previous post. It was rude and unbecoming. I certainly will not use those comments when I go to court. However, your comments have previously have included as much sympathy as a slap in the face with a wet Mackrell. My posts haven't sought to garner sympathy rather provide a accurate account of a unfortunate, and I think unfair, series of events. What I wrote last night suggested you and others see whether you could relate to draconian measures of a similar nature imposed on minor violations. Tax does need to be paid I totally agree. I'm furious because I wasn't able to using the DVLA's own systems (online, over the phone) - the only two options given on their own website. A fine of double the tax amount seems proportionate no? If you don't pay council tax one month you're not fined 5x its value and unable to access your home. You are given a warning letter. Why is the DVLA's tax more worthy of such grand fines and actions than others? It is your unwavering obedience to DVLA's money grabbing that makes it seems as though you are trolling. I'm all for people disagreeing but a, "computer says no" cough, attitude is exactly the type of person that would do well within such a organisation. If you really think the punishments and hardships I've had due to unpaid a £30 tax were "Hardly punitive, arbitrary and disproportionate." I honestly have sympathy for you and your lack of empathy. Perhaps I am an imbecile. I think I'd rather be a imbecile with principles and resolve than a wise man with no compassion. Rather than the straw man argument its a case of our choices to be either the tin man who walks tall or the cowering lion. All the best for the Easter holidays I hope you are able to spend it with loved ones.

["Hardly punitive, arbitrary and disproportionate. You knew that you would be going on holiday, you knew that you had to insure, MOT, and tax a car, and yet you still went ahead and bought it knowing you had less than 36hrs to complete this" Thanks for your -limited- 'thoughts' Woad. Yes I did know I was going on holiday soon after. I also knew the car had a current MOT, insurance was a five minute call to sort AND car tax was a simple couple of clicks on a computer or smartphone.... Except it WASN'T! I tried that IT DIDN'T WORK and by the time the test drive and haggling was over it was after 7pm so I couldn't call the DVLA cause they were CLOSED. You are correct I do work a long shift often over 12hours with another 2+ train bus commute (which how I pay my *tax*). If you actually read what I wrote I didn't call till after 2pm so my 30 minute lunch break- spent at my desk- was already over. Its not punitive to charge £200 plus for a £30 tax fee? Its not arbitrary to fine someone without checking their own system to see whether the offender had actually tried to pay repeatedly? It's not disproportionate to have your car clamped for 5 days AFTER you paid to get it unclamped? It's not total overkill to ruin someones Christmas for £30 pounds in taxes? If you and your ilk still say no I suggest next time you go 4 miles over the speed limit (with not demerit points on your license) imagine you were to lose your car for 5 days. Or the next time you didn't indicate off a roundabout you were stopped from seeing your sick son for 4 days and given a massive fine. Would you just bend over and take it?? Probably yes -and that rather than Brexit, Trump or Mike Ashley is whats wrong with our society. Government agencies such as the DVLA should be working for us- citizens/ taxpayers -and we should be holding them to account when they over-reach, overcharge and act without fear of resistance- rather than acting as unpaid jobsworths and cheerleaders on their behalf.

As stated in OP: -The online system would not allow me to tax the car. -It had a valid MOT, I insured the car at the dealership and had possession of new keeper supplement. -I could not however register tax online at either the dealership or at home. I was not getting a answer why, the page just sending me to the start of the process again and again, I confidently expected the system was down/ under Ddos and would be sorted by the next day. -I went to work early- pre 7am- and tried again around 2pm on the online system to the same result. -It was at that point I called the DVLA phone line and was told I would have to go into a post office to tax but with no explanation as to why the first and second payment methods were not working for me. -Thus the system was not down as a whole but just not accepting the valid registration details i was giving. -Lastly I couldn't leave work until after 6pm and thus could not have gone to the PO that evening or before my early flight the next morning. You are probably correct and a court will rule against me. However any time, costs and fines will be worth the knowledge that my children will know their father was not the type of man just bend over and take what ever punitive, disproportionate and arbitrary decision a Government department makes. I will also have the opportunity to address a supposedly impartial judge who can make a decision on a cases merit and extenduating circumstances. Indeed if more motorist were willing to fight their case in the courts the DVLA would perhaps reconsider their revenue raising policies as no doubt their lawyer fees would be crippling.

Thanks for opinions on my scenario. As a matter of principle I would rather go to court and fight with prospect of a larger fine than just roll over. I may bring a case myself to a small claims court.

Bought car on evening of the 7th December. Car insured at dealership. Attempted to tax at dealership but website wouldn't allow. Drove car to gf's home and tried online unsuccessfully again a few times but thought must be a site issue. 8th left car parked and commuted to work. Tried website but still not able called DVLA number and attempted to pay online. Was told i would have fill out information at post office. Finished work after post office closed. Had leave gf's house early next day for 2 week holiday before Post office opened. Returned to UK on 24th late afternoon to find car clamped with local council enforcement insignia and clamping company information but no explanation of reason. All telephone numbers went to voice mail. Paid clamping fine through online service. Rang every number and organisation i could throughout night. No one could explain reason or remove clamp. Stuck alone in gf's house - she was with family on other side of country- No food, freezing and missed all family Xmas duties with my grandparents who are 90+ years old and whom i am a carer of due to no trains running. Car remained clamped until 29th! Took visit to Local county enforcement office and then long wait and conversation with Local Council to determine DVLA had issued clamp. 6 Weeks later received further fine from DVLA. Written long letter to explain situation, circumstances and overly distressing punishment for £30 tax i had on numerous occasions tried to pay. Fully expect to get generic letter saying it was my fault. If so intend on going to court or arbitration. Does anyone have any advice or experience of court process?