Hi guys, I’ve just written to BBC’s Watchdog because I think DVLA should be exposed as the [problematic] they are and I would urge all of you who’ve had / that are in the same or similar situation with DVLA to do the same. You can do it here http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/gotastory/ The sad fact is that most people would just give in and pay the penalty not knowing that they aren’t even liable. A classic example, when I told my fiancée about my problems with DVLA she then told her Dad who said “tell him to pay it straight away otherwise he’ll end up paying a massive fine and court costs”. A lot of my friends also said the same...had I not found this site I would have paid. Thanks again people.

I won in court yesterday the Secretary of State representative didn’t even show up so the Judge immediately looked at the case in my favour and he commented he preferred my version of events anyway. He awarded me half a day’s wages to be paid in costs as the hearing was at 15:00 (I went to work in the morning), DVLA now owe me £50.00…RESULT! Just want to say a big thanks for all of your advice, its been a huge help.

Ok thanks gwc

Thanks JimmySpangle, I see what you mean about the wording of the aknowledgement letter, this will be most useful in court should the DVLA get as far as to bring it up

hi, its been a long wait for my court date. i'm in court court this thursday against the dvla, if i win the case i will be claiming personal loss of earnings for the day (about £100.00), my employer has given me a letter to produce in court confirming this. i'll let you know how i go on.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll write a letter back to them, I know what their reply will be though. So court it is then, I'll keep updating this thread. Thanks,

Hi all, I'm being perused by the DVLA to pay an £80.00 penalty for failing to tax a vehicle I haven’t owned since 9th February 2008. The Agency is denying receipt of the vehicle disposal notification (V5C) that I posted to them in February 2008 and therefore, on their records I am still the registered keeper and still liable for the £80.00 penalty. No doubt its in their financial interest to 'not receve' the odd disposal notification or SORN. Fortunately, I kept a colour photocopy of the V5C for my own records with the declaration of sale signed by both myself and the new keeper. I sent this to the DVLA to prove my case but they are still asking for the £80.00 penalty! Surly a photocopy of the signed V5C is ‘concrete proof’ of sale? In the DVLA’s most recent letter (looks very much like a standard copy & paste job of a letter) they state “The Agency issues an acknowledgement letter on receipt of disposal notifications and SORN declarations. Information on disposal of a vehicle is available on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C). If a keeper cannot provide a copy of a valid acknowledgement letter issued by DVLA for a SORN or disposal notice, dated prior to commencement of enforcement proceedings he/she has no defence against the enforcement action”. Is this just the opinion of the DVLA or does this mean that legally I have no defence against the enforcement action? I'm writing to the current keeper of the vehicle, who is a trader by the way, to get wriiten confirmation from them of the sale date. I need some advice to let me know where I stand legally in all this and what to do next. Thanks,