Two weeks ago we featured the case of ML who had his car clamped for non-payment of car tax even though he had a valid tax disc in the window. The DVLA told us it had widely publicised the changes to the car tax rules, but we were less sure. Several other readers have since contacted us to say that they too have unwittingly fallen foul of new rules which mean that if you sell a car, the buyer does not benefit from any unexpired tax on the vehicle – the clock starts over and they have to pay again.
RH wrote: “I too have had to pay a clamping fee of £100 and a fine of £95 by way of an out of court settlement to avoid a conviction and a fine of up to £1,000. I bought a car from my father. I was aware that a tax disc no longer has to be displayed, but not that the tax is now personal to the owner of the car. I do not recall receiving an insert with my vehicle registration document.
“The DVLA should change its process to notify new owners that they must pay the tax and give 30 days for them to do so. For a government agency to go round clamping and impounding vehicles is a form of extortion and should be stopped. Those who have paid the fees and fines should be compensated.”
PW was also clamped after he opted to buy his wife’s Motability scheme car following her death in August last year. He went to his local post office, completed the forms and paid for a year’s tax, and even got a receipt confirming this payment.
A backlog of paperwork at the DVLA led his payment to be rejected, although he was unaware this had happened. He had to pay a £260 clamp release fee and says the DVLA hasn’t bothered to reply to his -letters. He is particularly frustrated that the -enforcement -department that is -sending out the clampers will not take incoming phone calls.
However, after we sent PW’s case to the DVLA it agreed to halt the enforcement action and refund the clamping fees. It is also going to apologise.
We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number
