I have noticed that a few of you have issues with the way in which the DVLA handle your sh!t.. well i have decided to try to help you guys out by creating a thread with as much information as i can find/know on the subject.
I worked in the DVLA for 6yrs, 4 of them fast keying (entering data), 2 years on the MOT Mismatch team, dealing with the new mot system and correcting the mot certs that test centres have incorrectly entered. My missus also works for the DVLA so anything i might not be able to answer she should as she works for a VIP (vehicles input) team although anything to do with driving licences we might struggle with...
I will update this original post everytime a question is answered so you wont have to trawl through loads of trash to find out answers.
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The DVLA is split into two parts.. Drivers and Vehicles.. and they both work independent of each other.. There are two enquiry lines Driving related queries are on 0300 790 6801... And Vehicle related queries are on 0300 790 6802...Staffed telephone enquiry hours: 8:00 am - 8:30 pm Monday to Friday and 8:00 am - 5.30 pm on Saturday. Outside these times you normally will be able to listen to a variety of messages covering the most commonly asked question on driver and vehicle licensing and vehicle registration
If you wish to check the status of your vehicle you can do that here...
DVLA Enquiry Page which will provide you with up to date information such as whether your vehicle is sorn'd etc..
TaxingWhen it comes to Taxing a vehicle there are a couple of ways of doing it, the Post office, the Local Office, or
Online.. To tax you require, your logbook (V5), Copy of Insurance, Copy of MOT.. if you have the Tax reminder i would take that also as otherwise you will need to fill out a V10.
If you wish to tax online you will need either the 16 digit reference number shown on your renewal reminder, or the 11 digit reference number from your Registration Document/Certificate (also known as the Logbook) and your vehicle registration mark (numberplate).
If you have bought a vehicle and you haven't received the logbook yet, you can apply for your tax using a V62 and provided you have the keepers supplement (Green slip bottom of v5) you can tax for free, otherwise i believe its £19. The New Keeper Supplement can only be used for taxing for two months from the date you bought your vehicle.
If heaven forbid you lose your tax disc/have it stolen from your vehicle, you can apply for a duplicate tax disc, this can be done on a V20 which can be downloaded of sourced from the PO/LO. Theres a charge i believe of £7 for the service..You can either send the paperwork into the DVLA or pay for it through the Local Office.. Heres the online copy..
V20If you require a Tax Refund, this can be done on a
V14, you can get these from the PO or download (click the link).. You need to post your refund application before the first day of the month that you are claiming the refund. You also need to tell DVLA why you are applying for a refund.Your application will be rejected if you don't give these details and a rejection letter sent to you. The name on the refund application should also match exactly what’s on your vehicle registration certificate (V5C).If you haven’t already told DVLA about any of the notices mentioned you can send one with your refund application. Do not apply for a refund if your vehicle is in the process of having its registration number transferred or retained. The tax disc will be dealt with at the time of the transfer or retention application.A refund is paid for each full month left to run on the tax disc at the time you apply. For example, if your tax disc expires at the end of September and you apply during July you'll receive a refund for two months – August and September. If you have a six-month tax disc you paid an extra ten per cent handling charge when you bought it. This is not included as part of your refund. Refunds may take up to six weeks to process.
You can check what tax you need to pay here...
Tax BandsIf you are interested you can check
HERE to see how the tax will change in April 2010
You can't tax your vehicle until your insurance certificate arrives or your insurance cover for your vehicle has been updated on the Motor Insurance Database. You must keep your vehicle off the road in the meantime. If you are taxing your vehicle using the DVLA’s vehicle online service, then you’ll need to wait until MID has updated before applying. You can check online to see if your insurance has updated, you can check to see if your vehicle is showing as insured by going to this link..
Insurance DatabaseIf you intend to renew your vehicle tax you should do so before your current tax disc expires. However, this isn’t always possible if you are waiting for insurance or getting an MOT for your vehicle.
You’ll be committing an offence if you use or keep your vehicle on the public road without a current tax disc. If you can’t get a tax disc, you must remove your vehicle off the road.
You’ll have 14 days to get a tax disc or make a SORN, while your vehicle is off the road
Right i think thats enough about Taxing.. Lets move on to...
MOTSAn MOT test is needed every year for:
* cars, motorcycles, motor caravans and light goods vehicles that are more than three years old
* passenger carrying vehicles with more than eight seats and taxis (not including private hire vehicles) that are more than one year old
You can check the expiry date of your current MOT
online or by calling the ‘MOT status check service’ on 0870 330 0444.
You can drive your vehicle to and from a pre-arranged test at an MOT test station as long as you have adequate insurance cover in place for the use of that vehicle. This is also for vehicles being driven to and from a pre-arranged test at a Vehicle Inspection Check (VIC) test station, an approved weight testing station and reduced pollution test.
If you have lost, stolen or have a damaged MOT certificate you can get a duplicate from any MOT testing station for the fee of £10. You’ll need to provide the vehicle registration mark and reference number shown on your registration certificate (V5C).
Sometimes you might be running an historic vehicle and you might have issues with your MOT displaying a chassis number that is infact a model number etc.. you can speak to the owners club for that vehicle who can advise you further on the chassis number location, what it all means etc etc.. their info can be found here..
Vehicle Owners Clubs--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following website is a must if you are buying a car.
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/html/home.html
for example see this ad being advertised on Ebay with Genuine 40,000 miles
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280468479599&_trksid=p2761.l1259
Request either the mot certificate number or V5 doc ref number with the registration.
IE on this car is REG = LM02 AXK
MOT cert = 360542930042
On Mot info web site - click on Request History.
you will see on this car in August 2008 it was recorded 101K
Saves you even leaving the house to view a car.