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More
SORN
Traps
by
Mark
Daniels
Last
year
I
spent
some
time
over
SORN
issues
with
the
DVLA
and,
believe
me,
so
far
you
probably
don't
appreciate
the
half
of
it!
SORN
requirements
only
apply
to
vehicles
whose
latest
tax
disc
expired
after
31st
January
1998.
Trap
1
Computer
Licence
Renewal
Reminders
(V11
SORN
forms),
are
automatically
produced
some
eight
weeks
in
advance
of
despatch
so
they
can
be
received
by
vehicle
keepers
about
14
days
before
a
licence
or
SORN
declaration
is
due
to
commence.
If
a
change
of
ownership
is
notified
to
DVLA
within
this
period,
the
V11
is
already
printed,
and
still
goes
to
the
previous
owner
of
the
vehicle.
While
the
DVLA
will
happily
register
the
vehicle
in
your
name,
knowing
that
it
will
shortly
require
a
SORN
declaration
and
that
the
V11
will
go
to
the
previous
keeper
-
you
might
think
they'd
have
the
decency
to
advise
you
when
they
return
the
V5
registration
document.
Sadly
not,
the
first
thing
you'll
know
is
when
the
fine
crashes
on
the
mat.
Trap
2
When
a
vehicle
has
been
off
the
road
for
some
time,
the
only
reminder
you
will
have
that
the
annual
SORN
declaration
is
due
for
renewal,
will
be
the
arrival
of
the
V11
form.
If
the
V11
does
not
arrive
(either
lost
in
the
post
or
not
sent
by
DVLA
in
the
first
place),
you
probably
won't
realise
the
declaration
is
required.
The
next
letter
is
the
fine,
and
the
official
line
is
that
you
should
have
sent
in
a
V890
in
absence
of
the
V11.
Trap
3
Even
if
you
do
send
in
a
V890
form,
if
it
gets
lost
in
the
post,
or
more
likely
lost
in
the
shambles
that
is
the
DVLA
today,
remember
they
don't
send
out
any
acknowledgements,
and
you
could
still
receive
notification
of
a
fine!
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An unfortunate aspect of this shameful bureaucracy is that it claimed
to be introducing SORN under the pretence of addressing 'tax dodging'
issues. What's actually happening is that many honest and innocent
people are now receiving fines due to gross inadequacies of the
ill thought out SORN administration. As of this year the automatic
fines have now been raised to £80, and the AA has vehemently criticised
the lack of appeals procedures. Aspects regarding the application
of specifically unnotified fines, and the principle of elevating
the penalty while an issue may be under any appeal, actually raise
issues regarding laws on human rights. There's more of the same
bad medicine on the way too, the previous owner of a vehicle is
planned to be held liable for all issues arising from failure to
notify change of ownership: road tax, parking fines, SORNs, etc.
One finds that efforts to discuss such issues are only confronted
by an ever-changing wall of faceless and indifferent bureaucracy.
It seems there is no one at DVLA capable of independent rational
thought; there is only the official line. While I'm sure we all
support actions to address the road tax evasion issue, it's clearly
missing the point to be penalising honest citizens on bureaucratic
issues. The SORN system appears just another classically ill thought
out government revenue raising exercise, applied with complete indifference
against the hapless motoring public.
As Brian Crook very sensibly suggests, you are strongly recommended
to keep a calendar of all your SORN renewal dates.
... and the DVLA replies
Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) was introduced on 31 January
1998 and affects vehicles licenced on, or after that date. The
scheme aimed to ensure enhanced accuracy of the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) records, by requiring vehicle keepers
to contact DVLA at least once a year. This information can then
be used to identify vehicle excise duty (VED) evaders and assist
police and authorities with combating vehicle crime.
DVLA tries to ensure that all vehicle keepers receive a reminder
form (V11), which enables them to renew the vehicle licence, or
declare SORN, if the vehicle is to be kept off-road. These documents
must be printed eight weeks in advance of distribution, in order
to ensure timely receipt. There is, however, no statutory obligation
for the Agency to produce V11s, the full responsibility for ensuring
that the vehicle is correctly licenced, or subject to SORN, rests
with the keeper.
In order to assist customers to comply with regulations, information
booklets are available from Post Offices, DVLA local offices and
DVLA's Customer Services Department. Copies are also sent with
each Registration Certificate and V11 reminder form, to ensure
that keepers are aware of their statutory obligations. Advertising
campaigns to raise awareness ran prior to the launch of the SORN
scheme and subsequently at periodic intervals to reiterate the
information. DVLA's website is constantly updated to review any
changes in legislation.
When a vehicle changes hands, the SORN declaration is not transferred;
a declaration is required from the new keeper. This is to ensure
that DVLA are aware of changes to the vehicle record and have
an accurate update of the new keeper's details.
Vehicles manufactured or registered before 1 January 1973 are
classed as historic vehicles and attract a nil rate of duty. However,
to ensure that the vehicles are roadworthy and documentation such
as MoT and insurance are current, a nil rate tax disc must be
displayed in the vehicle. If the vehicle is kept off-road and
has not had a licence since 31 January 1998, there is no requirement
to declare SORN. However, if the vehicle has held a licence since
this date, it is essential that an annual SORN declaration be
made.
From January 2004, a new system of continuous registration (CR)
has been introduced. The first stage of this scheme ensures that
all vehicle keepers receive an acknowledgement letter when contacting
DVLA to declare SORN or vehicle disposal. Detailed instructions
are provided to ensure that if an acknowledgement letter is not
received, the vehicle keeper contacts DVLA to confirm that the
record has been updated.
Consultations have been held with trade organisations and relevant
industry contacts, offering a forum for the expression of views
regarding the implementation of measures to increase adherence
to VED policy and to reduce vehicle crime. These consultations,
one held in 2001 and a subsequent, more detailed proposal in 2003,
received confirmed support, recognising that the Agency does not
intend to persecute honest motorists, but to crack down on offenders
who repeatedly abuse the system.
An official appeals procedure has not been established, however,
DVLA will treat each case on merit and will view genuine cases
with sympathy. Whilst the legislation allows all unlicenced keepers
to be pursued, DVLA retains the right to withdraw cases in certain
circumstances.
SORN declarations may be made on form V890, which is available
from all licence issuing Post Offices and DVLA local offices.
The customer services department will issue a form for those that
wish to post notification, or they can accept telephone declarations
from the registered keeper (tel: 0870 240 0010). The form can
also be downloaded from the DVLA website www.dvla.gov.uk
First published in the December 2003 edition of
Buzzing, the magazine of the National Autocycle & Cyclemotor Club
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