DVLA are b__stards on this. They denied recieving four(4) separate pices
of paper, all detailing the change of ownershiop of a car I bought. Then
they tried to do me for no tax!!! Cue mailstorm over three months,
culminating in the whole thing 'going away', when the origonal owner,
me, and a friend who's a solicitor got together and wrote a 'legalese'
complaint/threat . Best thing to do is to get all the info you can,
approximate dates for dposting, and mailing it to them explaining what
happened(mail them an obvious copy), andf they should sort it out.
They're not intentionally evil, it just seems that way :0)

`Mark

Did the DVLA send you any notification that they had received your
orginal comminication, I guess not. When I told DVLA about the
transfer of ownership of my last car to the insurance company late
last year I got a letter from 'em telling me that I was no longer
recorded keeper and that I had no further legal resposibilty for that
vehicle and to keep the letter...

How long has the SORN being inforce? Longer than 2003 I think, so he
should be sending that bit in each year.

Oh dear can't you remember anything about him/her. I have a sneaky
feeling that the DVLA are bit like HMC&E if there is doubt you carry
the can unless you have pretty good evidence otherwise. I guess you
used ordinary letter post for the V5 to DVLA rather than recorded
delivery as well so you have no "proof of posting".

What sort of court summons have you had?.

I'd have thought that since it has been 18 months since you sold it
you should by now have recieved at least one tax renewal notice, or
notice of a fine for not sorning it.

Theyve attempted to fine me for not sorning things (after they messed
up and kept returning my sorn forms).
I bought a car, and got the sorn fine letter about 4 months later - so
they move fairly quicly and you should not have heard absolutely
nothing for 18 months.

for my run-in i wrote them a letter back with all the evidence i had
(dated letters from them in my case), and they wrote me a 'we have
decided not to pursue your fine' letter a few weeks later.

You should always get proof of posting for any dealing you have with
the DVLA. That is enough to show them that you have posted the
required info off to them (even though the proof of posting doesnt say
anything about the ltter contents)

For the extra 65p or so, I'd always suggest sending all such
notifications via Recorded Delivery.

So far as your current situation, simply write to the Court, deny the
offence, give the reasons, ask for a trial.  Send this by Recorded
Delivery, if you like, Counter Claim for the cost of the additional
65p postage (legit costs, really).  You'll probably see the case
dropped and you'll then be invited to attend to see through your
Counter Claim...

When I got rid of my last car I never filled in any paperwork and I had no
idea who the guy was who took it off my hands,

Fortunately I discovered on the RAC site that the registration is still
current so I suppose someone must have registered a change owner

Hi Dale,

With the DVLA they have an interesting way of working. You have to prove you
are innocent otherwise you are guilty.

First of all write to them explaining what has happened and explain that you
have the portion of the log book. You then need to detail the rough date
that you sent it to them and the date you sold the vehicle. Explain that you
are able to get statements from friends and family that you no longer have
this vehicle.

Ask them the simple question, "Why has it taken this long to taken action
against you?"

Do non of this via telephone, I know to my cost that phone calls can be
denied and details not detailed on the computer.

Explain also in the letter that as you know you are innocent that you  are
willing to appear in court and mount a rigorous defence.

Make sure you send the letter via "Next day guarnteed delivery." It costs a
fortune but it is handled seperately from normal post and is almost 100%
going to get there, it will cost about ?3.50. Recorded delivery is placed in
with normal post and about 30% are not signed for and just posted through
the letterbox.

If the court date is soon, attend the court and plead "Not guilty." Ask for
a trial and explain that you intend to produce witnesses and witness
statements that you no longer own this vehicle. Explain that you have
discharged your legal duty in informing the DVLA and you cannot be liable
for the inefficiency of the Post Office.

DVLA tend to do about 20 cases at once with the majority of people declaring
guilty via post. Make sure you attend court (do not plead nto guilty via
post) and make yourself known to an usher and that you wish to enter a plea.
The magistrate may deal with you there an dthen, if this is the case ask for
a postponement as you need to prepare a proper and adequate defence. (Do not
take a solicitor with you at this hearing, it makes you look like you are
guilty, I know it shouldn't, but it does).

If you are set a trial date and DVLA still insists on a prosection - then
get as many witnesses to appear in court and write sworn statements as
possible. Present all you evidence in a calm polite manner respecting the
bench and using all the proper titles. make sure you question DVLA regarding
the following areas:-

"Why has it taken so long to issue a summons and why were you not contacted
before this date?"

"Have they monitored how many of the letters addressed to them are lost in
the post?"

"Have they taken this up with the Post Office and registered a complaint,
ask them to specify dates?"

"Can they produce any evidence that this vehicle has been stopped by the
Police or been issued with a Speed Camera fine since the date that you sent
the details to DVLA?" Explain that with the new mobile camera technology for
reading tax discs that this would be highly unlikely for the vehicle not to
be detected on the road.

I expect that the magistrate will find in your favour. Then submit to the
court a request for costs:-

Time taken ?7 per hour, including gathering evidence - Say ?210

Postage and Stationary:     ?15

Telephone calls ?4

Making a total of ?229.

I hope you win your case.

Andrew

P.S. I just phoned DVLA as I scrapped a vehicle on the 21st of August last
year and haven't received any documentation. Even though I had received
nothing from them it seems on the computer I no longer own the vehicle.
PHEW.

do you think i should attempt to track the new owner down