Ask the expert: Why is the DVLA fining me for not taxing a racing car?
A letter from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) informed me that according to the Motor Insurance Database (MID), my 1963 MGB was not insured. It stated that, unless my vehicle was declared off-road with a valid Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN), it must be continuously insured, and that I had 28 days to check that I was covered and avoid a fine. The MG is a racing car and, therefore, not on the road, so I thought this might be a scam, but I then received a letter from the DVLA saying I must pay a £100 penalty, reduced to £50 for early payment. Clearly the simple solution is to send the hard copy of the SORN, but I am still very suspicious of these documents and threatening communications. Are you familiar with this approach to non-insurance? Am I being neurotic?
– HC
Dear HC,
I am familiar with this approach, because I had a similar letter myself recently. My 1970 Citroën DS was insured and 'taxed' (for a zero rate, as a historic vehicle), but then I switched the insurance to a different vehicle. Because I wasn't paying any 'tax', I didn't think to declare SORN until I received a letter like the one you describe.
In my case, the situation was a result of my oversight; yours appears to be a genuine mistake. But I suspect the communications you've received are legitimate; the MIB is a recognised body, and if you've had a corresponding fine from the DVLA, it's safe to say you should probably take action before matters escalate.
Firstly, check that your vehicle is still declared SORN. It should be, given you don't have to renew the SORN declaration, but it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that a mistake has been made at the DVLA, or there has been a computer glitch.
Check online at https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. If the car is still showing as SORN, then send evidence of this to the DVLA and MIB by recorded delivery, to prove that the vehicle is off the road. With a bit of luck, they'll cancel the fine and you can forget the whole thing.
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