Sorn fine advice

[Rightinit]

I had a fine for not renewing my sorn for motor bike some time ago and letters have been sent to dvla, then Inter Credit and trust became involed. I did my bit, not my fault they haven't done there bit. I am not going to think I haven't had my confirmation of sorn when the bike is buried in the back of the garage and has been for many years.

 

On 1/11/10 I sent dvla and inter credit a letter disputing my £80 fine and quoted two cases that had won in court against them and said that I would like this to be dealt with in my local court.

 

Today I have had a letter from DVLA saying the have pulled it back from the 3rd party collection agents and have passed my correspondance over to the relevant department for consideration regarding court action and will be in touch with me. Please be advised that the DVLA has up to 6 years to take these cases to court.

 

 

Can anyone advise me if the last part in bold is true or not.

 

Kind regards

 

Rightinit

[Raykay]

If the claim from DVLA is a Late Licensing Penalty, it is treatead as a civil debt and I understand that the time limit in that case is 6 years.

[Rightinit]

Thanks for your reply.

 

Well if they sit on it for the full 6 years they will be wasting there time as within the next 5 years I will no longer be a resident of the uk, if all goes to plan.

[postggj]

If the claim from DVLA is a Late Licensing Penalty, it is treatead as a civil debt and I understand that the time limit in that case is 6 years.

 

 

so why do the magistrates deal with the sorn fines as well as the civil courts

 

interesting question that

[Raykay]

Although some people generalise the problem as 'sorn fines', it depends what DVLA are claiming, if it is for an offence of not having a licence, not notifying change of keeper etc., it is a criminal matter heard in the Magistrates Court.

 

It is the Late Licensing Penalty, that is dealt with as a civil debt and heard in County Court.

 

Posts often confusingly refer to 'non SORN' or 'late SORN' etc., but there are no offences regarding SORN, as it is only a valid reason for not needing a licence. The DVLA claim will refer to no licence etc., or late renewal of a licence and it depends which claim they make as to which court system deals with it.

[tiger22007]

Had the same trouble a couple of years ago,I did phone the DVLA to ask advice as bike was a classic and was told no need for SORN next thing had a letter from Poole saying I had not declared vehicle SORN.Argued constantly with them saying what I had been told in the begining,everytime I received a letter sent a copy of my first letter to them,stopped bothering me after a while.

[Raykay]

The age or status of the vehicle is irrelevant as far licensing is concerned. The SORN exemption only applies if the last licence expired before 31st January 1998.

Edited November 22, 2010 by Raykay