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problem with DVLA
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 2:38 pm
by Doctor T
As we know DVLA holds records live who your bikes keepers is, lnsurance, tax. So we think so.
I was stopped yesterday by traffic police for having no MOT on the old girl. The details that came back via their phone was my bike hasn't be in test since October last year's. As some of you can remember I was stopped last year as my MOT had ran out. I was let off as I booked an test on the same day.
Back to yesterday. The officer was polite and straight forward.I told him where I had the bike tested but I think he thought I was telling him porkies. It was just as he was going to give me the ticket when I found the test certificate in my top box. He called the test center that gave him all the details. Both the officer and the test center couldn't work out why the DVLA haven't updated my Pass.
DVLA have been informed by both parties to find out what's going on.
Lucky I keep my paperwork with me. anyone else would have gone down the court route to sort it out.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:00 pm
by burridge01
Just as well you had the paperwork, a lot of garages don't want to give you physical proof.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:16 pm
by MikeS
I use an app on the phone with our cars and my bike on it. Vehicle Smart I think its called. Gives up to date info on tax, MOT and insurance status. I presume it gets the info from DVLA etc. Always updates promptly and i guess shows that the DVLA records have been updated.
I just check it the day after I've MOT'd , taxed or insured any of them.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 8:01 pm
by Capt Sisko
I'm old fashioned here, but I shrink down scans of my my Licence, Tax, MOT, Insurance, Passport, Breakdown Service and my Repeat Prescription so they fit onto a piece of double sided A4 paper. The print is quite small but readable. This is folded and kept in a plastic wallet and lives in the 'cube' that holds my tools, puncture repair kit and other knick-knacks in the bottom of my pannier. Touch wood, none of those have been called into action yet, but I know where it is.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 9:16 pm
by SimonD
It's surprising that an ANPR camera hasn't picked it up before now.
...and ditto on the hard copies. I have all the apps on my phone and the emails but I still print out copies of licence, MOT, registration, Insurance, ferry tickets and hotel bookings before any long trip.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 12:27 pm
by Doctor T
Found out a mate of mine yes I have a couple in the real world) who owns a few cars and a bike that his bike has been SORN since 2014. He genuinely forgot. Funny thing is he has been stopped a few times in that period. None have flagged up no road tax. Somethings wrong with DVLA computers
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:44 am
by LochiesDad
I had a same similar situation a few years ago when we still displayed paper tax discs. I had parked my bike in the post office carpark, went in and got my new tax disc, no problems. Came out to see 2 of our finest walking round my bike having clearly seen an expired (that day) disc on display.
I approached my bike and promptly sat on it at which point one of the officers asked me if I knew why they were interested in my bike, nope officer, can't say that I do. Well sir he says, this bike does not have a valid road tax disc 'on it', oh but officer it does I can assure you and produced my new paper disc. He proceeds to tell me that does not count as it needs to be on display however I reminded him of his words, 'you said on it' which, there was a tax disc 'on it', just in my pocket.
After much discussions I was let off with a warning but the 2nd officer did say that I had I not sat on the bike i'd likely have received a fine as technically there was a disc on the bike just not on display.
Who knows, seem to be a law unto themselves however i'm not guilty of letting any of my road going vehicles be out of tax, MOT or insurance and like others, always ensure I have a paper copy handy just in case modern technology can't keep up.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 1:39 pm
by Doctor T
The worse thing they ever did is the stopping of the tax disc. Not only did it prove you have tax but a reminder when it runs out. The problem with paperless is that some people do know how to use a computer. My own mother retired before computers became an everyday thing. Even my wife has trouble with some applications.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:19 pm
by Steve398
LochiesDad wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:44 am
I had a same similar situation a few years ago when we still displayed paper tax discs. I had parked my bike in the post office carpark, went in and got my new tax disc, no problems. Came out to see 2 of our finest walking round my bike having clearly seen an expired (that day) disc on display.
I approached my bike and promptly sat on it at which point one of the officers asked me if I knew why they were interested in my bike, nope officer, can't say that I do. Well sir he says, this bike does not have a valid road tax disc 'on it', oh but officer it does I can assure you and produced my new paper disc. He proceeds to tell me that does not count as it needs to be on display however I reminded him of his words, 'you said on it' which, there was a tax disc 'on it', just in my pocket.
After much discussions I was let off with a warning but the 2nd officer did say that I had I not sat on the bike i'd likely have received a fine as technically there was a disc on the bike just not on display.
Who knows, seem to be a law unto themselves however i'm not guilty of letting any of my road going vehicles be out of tax, MOT or insurance and like others, always ensure I have a paper copy handy just in case modern technology can't keep up.
The tax disc had to be ‘displayed’ to conform with the regulations, so having it in your pocket meant of course it was not so displayed.
The entirely separate offence of not having a valid tax disc was actually a Customs and Excise matter. You could still have got a £6 ticket from the Bobby for not displaying, but that would have been a bit picky under the circumstances.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:19 pm
by simbo
The current system works really well 99.9% of the time. Gone are the days of having to get paper proof of everything and go and stand in line at the post office to get a tax disc, thankfully.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 3:46 pm
by Doctor T
Just remembered standing in a police station waiting to show my papers. It was like the KGB taking records of your life. Kingston's police station got fed up with me turning up nearly every week. In the end they just asked for the ticket with a good bye and see you next week. I used to take cups of tea in for them. It made working as a London Courier fun. I made a couple of life long friends from the officers. I didn't care about being stopped as I knew I was doing nothing wrong. My officer mates always asked why I never joined the force as I was always there.At the time it wasn't for me. I always liked to be an individual not wearing the same clothes every day. Even thou I enjoyed my time at Oxford, that was one of my regrets not joining. Now in my 60s I think it's a bit late.
The early 80s were great.
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 5:46 pm
by burridge01
Doctor T last seen applying his latest Ebay buys
Never to late to be a special, not sure what sort of special mind
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 6:27 pm
by DaveCly
When we was in our late teens, it was an all to regular thing to be stopped by the local plod, and having to show are documentation at the local Police station
I remember a mate saying to the local sergeant on the front desk, why don’t you keep them here pal, and save us both some time
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 6:44 pm
by Doctor T
burridge01 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 5:46 pm
Doctor T last seen applying his latest Ebay buys
Never to late to be a special, not sure what sort of special mind
I've always hated stickers, also I don't like looking like a prick
Re: problem with DVLA
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 6:53 pm
by burridge01
Doctor T wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 6:44 pm
I've always hated stickers, also I don't like looking like a prick
Funny thing is,there's a fair few about that actually think there coppers,down to the "POLITE" high viz vest.
