No progress with this to date. Main Post Office won't accept manufacture date, and I don't want to risk another trip to argue with them. DVLA site states that a vehicle manufacture before 1/1/1980 is exempt, but that only the Post Office can deal with it. I've emailed the DVLA via their website, including a copy of the VW letter confirming date of manufacture, and have had no reply. The phone 0300 790 6802 says their office is closed. Other numbers are given, but only for "key workers" Should I risk sending original documents to the DVLA when other forum members have had them "lost" ? Meanwhile I've just had a threatening letter from them about my Direct Debit for this month's tax being cancelled. Will I be covered by my sending a copy of the Date of Manufacture to DVLA and awaiting a reply? Not sure what to do.
First of all I would make sure your direct debit is reinstated as you must pay the tax due or they will chase you. In the present lockdown situation, you should not venture out to a Post Office as its not an essential trip and puts you open to the risk of catching the virus, just for the sake of vehicle tax and a few quid. I would leave it until next year when your vehicle would qualify for historic vehicle status and become tax free thereafter saving you a lot of money each year on year. Please observe the lockdown and the stay at home rules.
Just a minor point DO NOT send by recorded delivery, the Post Office will not chase it up for 6 weeks. I know it means a trip to the Post Office but send it First Class Special delivery. This is the method used by lawyers.
But only when they have dealt with the paperwork I fear. I said earlier that I applied to DVLA on 10th March, but nothing has come back yet. I know that they received the papers. It's early days I suspect. From what people have been saying it was taking 6 weeks even before coronavirus.
You really think you'll get historic tax classification in a couple of weeks ?? Couple of months under normal circumstances - do you really need the hassle ?? Sorn it , tax it when you can use it and possibly claim a refund . Deal with the exemption paperwork in preparation for next time you tax it ... Keep it simple Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Main Post Office closed early today so I'll try again tomorrow. If they won't deal with this, I'll have to drive around until I find one that will. As people have noted on this thread, there are some post offices that don't properly understand the system. I've sent off several emails to the DVLA, some with the VW date of manufacture letter attached. The competence of the Post Office/DVLA in normal times is staggering, now it's even worse. One thing I won't be doing though, is continuing to pay tax I don't have to, for a theoretical refund which might never happen. I've left a paper trail to confirm I've done everything I can so hope an automatic fine doesn't arrive in the post.
Your bus isn't tax exempt until the V5 says it is. Paper trail or no paper trail; them's the facts. Personally I'd either SORN it, or pay the tax monthly until you get it sorted. Is it really worth getting a summons in the post or 3 points over £25? As a bit of balance, our local Post Office is great. I also changed the number plates on a car last week. I received the new V5 from DVLA within 5 days!
I agree, either SORN the vehicle and pay up the tax overdue or continue to pay tax until the vehicle has Historic Vehicle status and so tax exempt. While tax remains unpaid, the vehicle cannot be legally driven on a public road and if on a public road, DVLA are entitled to clamp it. If tax remains unpaid, DVLA may issue a fine and a summons and your credit rating may be affected as you would have failed to pay a debt. Why suffer all that unnecessary hassle for the sake of a few quid?
All sorted now, hopefully, at the Main Post Office. They were unable to change the "vehicle class" because their system wouldn't allow it, so I've sent all documentation to DVLA First Class Special Delivery as per the advice above.
It's a long process! I semt proof of age docs to DVLA in April. Got a reply back a couple of days ago to say that you can only change the tax status when applying for tax (it's currently sorned) so I've duly sent off the appropriate forms. So here's waiting patiently! One light at the end of the tunnel is that on the DVLA website, they now list the year of manufacture as 1979 rather than 1980 when it was first registered.
Still waiting for mine, everything sent off mid April. But glad to see the DVLA site also lists my camper as manufactured 1979 so they must have received the paperwork! Meanwhile, still paying the monthly road fund licence by Standing Order and patiently waiting for them to sort it out!
Its luck of the draw. My local post office did it in about 25 seconds. Some people go through the “months” of pain sending stuff off.
