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Changes
to licencing your vehicle from 1st February 2003
To make it harder for thieves to disguise the identities of stolen vehicles, DVLA has changed the rules on applying for tax discs when the applicant does not have the licence renewal reminder form (Form V11). If you want to tax a vehicle and haven't received your reminder form from DVLA, you will need to present the logbook (or the tear off slip) with your application form (Form V10) at any licence issuing Post Office. If you don't have a logbook or the renewal reminder from DVLA, you are no longer be able to apply for a tax disc at a Post Office. For more information see leaflet INF128 available from Post Offices, DVLA local offices or ring the DVLA leaflet line on 0870 240 6426.Footnote - stricter SORN regulations came in from January 2004 - seen our briefing note. New UK Car Tax & SORN rules Register of Number Plate Suppliers from 1st January 2003 (text of DVLA leaflet) From 1st January 2003 all number plate suppliers in England and Wales will be required by law to register their details with DVLA. From that date a business will not be able to trade as a supplier unless it is registered. If you wish to purchase number plates, you will need to provide proof of your identity. You will also need to provide evidence to the supplier that you are entitled to purchase the number plate - for example your logbook or licence renewal reminder (Form V11). Thieves put fake number plates on stolen vehicles to make them appear legitimate. It will be more difficult for criminals to get number plates because they will need to show that they are entitled to them. Number plate suppliers will keep records of all number plate sales which will help the police in the detection of crime. For more information on these changes see leaflet INF130 available from DVLA local offices or ring the DVLA leaflet line on 0870 240 6424.This
information is believed to be correct at 2nd January 2004. If any
member is aware of any changes not covered on this webpage, please
contact the V8 Register promptly.
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Vehicle Identity Checks (VIC) (text of DVLA leaflet) The Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) will deter criminals from "passing off" stolen cars as repaired accident damaged ones. From 7th April 2003 all cars that have been written off and/or scrapped due to accident damage and are subsequently repaired, must undergo and pass a VIC before they can be returned to the road. The check will be carried out by the Vehicle Inspectorate to confirm the identity of the vehicle but not whether it is roadworthy. The logbook of any car that has passed a VIC will carry a note to show it has had its identity confirmed. A logbook will only be issued for such a car if it has passed a Vehicle Identity Check. If you purchase a car without a logbook or a VIC pass, you could find that you will not be able to register or tax it. Also from 7th April 2003, where an owner decides to sell or dispose of a car with significant un-repaired accident damage, they will be under a new obligation to return their logbook to the DVLA. For more information on this change and what to do if you buy a vehicle that requires a Vehicle Identity Check, please see leaflet INF133 available from the DVLA leaflet line on 0870 240 6424.Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN (text of DVLA leaflet) The law on vehicle licensing has changed - you must either apply for a new licence disc for your vehicle or confirm that the vehicle is not used or kept on a public road. This confirmation is called a Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN declaration. You do not need to make a SORN declaration if the vehicle has been scrapped, sold exported or stolen but you will need to notify DVLA Swansea or the police as appropriate. You make the SORN declaration by putting a cross ("X") in the box in the red panel on the face of the Vehicle Licence Application or SORN reminder issued by the DVLA, and by signing that form. A SORN declaration is valid for 12 months unless you relicense, sell, permanently export or scrap the vehicle before the 12 months have expired. Under new rules introduced on 1st January 2004, the DVLA intends using its vehicle database to identify cars without a tax disc or a SORN and then send out automatic £80 fines. In some cased the fine for a failure to make a SORN declaration can be up to £1,000.New UK Car Tax & SORN Rules For more road tax, SORN and motor insurance items see our running index. More |
