I've just acquired another car, and have signed the logbook over to me with previous owner. They have sent the signed form over to DVLA as per usual and I'm sure I will receive notification of being the new keeper within a couple of weeks.

Problem is, when it was signed over, the previous keeper took their tax disc which had a couple of months left. I can only presume this was to declare the car as SORN, send the disc back to the DVLA and get a small refund. Originally, I planned to have the car off the road for a while so this didn't seem an issue, but now I plan to have it on the road next week as I've no-where to keep it.

Not really sure on the best course of action. If the car has been SORN'd by them online, will it be instant? That way, I presume I can log in online as the new keeper next weekend, and just apply for a tax disc straight away? If the SORN application hasn't been processed yet, and I try requesting tax, what will happen?

Also, I presume that to tax the car, I will have to wait until I get sent a new registration document with a new reference number, or is there a code on the new keeper supplement which I can use? I don't think the new documents will have arrived by next weekend which I think means I will have to keep the car off the road for another week..

Finally, is there a way of checking the Tax / Sorn status of a car online?

Cheers, Chris

Hi,

If the car has been SORN'd by them online, will it be instant?

Yes, it will be instant.

I presume I can log in online as the new keeper next weekend, and just apply for a tax disc straight away?

I don't think so... Read my reply below...

Also, I presume that to tax the car, I will have to wait until I get sent a new registration document with a new reference number, or is there a code on the new keeper supplement which I can use? I don't think the new documents will have arrived by next weekend which I think means I will have to keep the car off the road for another week..

This is also covered in my reply below...

When i bought my 6n2 from an auction they sent all documents off and left me with the new keeper supplement (same as you.) To tax the car, it needs to have a current MOT & insurance policy. because you only have the new keeper supplement, you will need to go to the post office to get the tax disk. as soon as you get your tax disk, the SORN expires (a SORN runs for 12 months unless either a valid licence (tax disk) is purchased or the car is (this is the bit i'm sketchy on...) scrapped or sold

Finally, is there a way of checking the Tax / Sorn status of a car online?

Yes, but i can't remember it at the moment. Maybe someone else can help on this

Regards

Jake

Spot on, cheers for that mate. Only problem is, I will be purchasing my insurance on the day I want to tax it (next weekend, on my birthday) lol so won't have a certificate for it. All I will have is a cover note / code / contact details at best. Would the Post Office accept a cover note, or would they want the policy in writing?

I'm guessing the Post Office doesn't actually use a PC to check whether it has insurance or not.. even if they did I don't suppose it would be on record if it was purchased that day

Be this the case, I can't tax the car online until the new registration document comes through.. and I can't do it in Post Office until my insurance documents come through? Sound about right.. ?

Alsoo, is it possible to SORN the car by post? If this is what the previous owner has done, could there be problems if the 'change of keeper' documents were processed before the 'SORN request' were processed? Any ideas how long it would take for a SORN request to be processed be post?

I will be purchasing my insurance on the day I want to tax it (next weekend, on my birthday) lol so won't have a certificate for it. All I will have is a cover note / code / contact details at best. Would the Post Office accept a cover note, or would they want the policy in writing?

with my insurance provider (NIG but all paper work is adrian flux???) i get them e-mailed to me so just printed them out and that was sufficient but i can't state that it will be the same for you as i don't know.

Be this the case, I can't tax the car online until the new registration document comes through.. and I can't do it in Post Office until my insurance documents come through? Sound about right.. ?

this sounds about right. why not pop in to your local post office and ask them as they will be better able to advise you than i can.

Alsoo, is it possible to SORN the car by post?

Yes, you need to download the SORN application form from somewhere (the document number is V890) or i can e-mail you the PDF. you just need to print it and fill it in.

If this is what the previous owner has done, could there be problems if the 'change of keeper' documents were processed before the 'SORN request' were processed? Any ideas how long it would take for a SORN request to be processed be post?

There is a tick-box on the SORN PDF that says "The V5/V5C or V62 has already been submitted to register the vehicle in my name" which is the one you need to select if doing the SORN by post.

Regards

Jake

Just had a look at the SORN PDF and here's some "General Notes" that i think it would be helpful for you to read...

If the vehicle is not already registered in your name, please ensure

the appropriate part of the V5/V5C is completed and submitted.

If the V5/V5C is lost a form V62 (fee applicable) must be completed.

• If you want to make a SORN declaration and also apply for a refund

of vehicle excise duty, the form V14 should be used instead.

• Make a SORN declaration only if the licence disc for your vehicle expired on or after

31 January 1998. If you fail to do so you could be fined a minimum of £1,000. There

is no need to make a SORN declaration for a vehicle while a licence disc is in force.

• This declaration is valid for twelve months, unless you relicense, sell, permanently

export or scrap the vehicle before the twelve months have expired. We will normally

send you a reminder when your Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)

declaration is about to expire. This form cannot be used if the vehicle is

temporarily out of the country.

• Motor Traders who have vehicles temporarily in their possession in

the course of their business are not required to make a SORN unless

the vehicle is registered in their name.

• Once you have made a SORN you will be sent an acknowledgement letter within

4 weeks confirming the details. If the acknowledgement letter is not received after

4 weeks you must contact Customer Enquiries Group on 0870 240 0010 immediately.

Edited 27 April, 201016 yr by Duey

Finally, is there a way of checking the Tax / Sorn status of a car online

http://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/

then click vehicle enquiry. you only need to fill in the first 2 boxes (reg plate & veh. maker)

Edited 27 April, 201016 yr by Duey

Magic, I will see what Admiral have to say about emailing my documents or something. I'll pop down the Post Office aswell, see what their policy is lol cheers for the help dude.

As for the SORN info.. I'm not planning on SORNing the car, but I'm pretty sure the previous owner has done it/or plans to do it before the car is changed to my name (to get a partial refund on the tax disc).

No matter though, the info was still useful to read. I will just play by ear and see what the owner does, at least I can check to see whether the SORN goes through using that link now - thanks again!

been through this too. basically to simplify what the guy has said above, owner supliment, mot cert and you can request that your insurance send your cert by email which you can print off. (i wouldn't make them aware it's a printed email as the post office people got funny about it when i did it.

been through this too. basically to simplify what the guy has said above, owner supliment, mot cert and you can request that your insurance send your cert by email which you can print off. (i wouldn't make them aware it's a printed email as the post office people got funny about it when i did it.

yeah, mine got sent through as PDF's so there was no way that the post office people could know that i'd just printed them off.

it does say however, that it MUST be printed on white paper and with a laser printer (mine's an inkjet and there were no problems??) for it to be a valid document.

Edited 27 April, 201016 yr by Duey

Fantastic, thanks again chaps. I just need to keep an eye on whether the previous owner actually SORNs the car or not! I will try and contact them and see what they are actually planning to do with the tax disc which had two months left on it.. lol

Just a couple more things to clarify.. once the DVLA change their records and record me as the car's new keeper, if they receive any postal documentation requesting a SORN on it (from previous owner), will they just ignore it?

And, if the previous owner doesn't end up SORNing the car (so it technically still has two months tax left) and I go into the Post Office and purchase another six months tax (while the remaining two months is still in effect), what exactly will happen? Will they find this out on their records and refuse me from purchasing more? Or will they sell it to me regardless, and I will just end up with duplicate tax running for two months, until the old tax runs out?

I don't want to start using the car, assuming the previous owner has left the tax on it and then find one day that their SORN application has gone through, and the car is then classed as off the road without me knowing until documents come through (although I won't be displaying a valid tax disc anyway, so still illegal). I would rather buy me own tax just to be safe.

This is so lame, wish I had just offered to give the PO money to leave the remaining tax disc on the car! I hate all this red-tape bull crap

No probs, just glad i/we could help.

in relation to your questions:

once the DVLA change their records and record me as the car's new keeper, if they receive any postal documentation requesting a SORN on it (from previous owner), will they just ignore it?

In theory, they will try to match the details given on the SORN form to the details of the R/O and these will not match (as you should be the R/O by the time they get the SORN) so the SORN should be unsuccessful but i can't state for definate.

And, if the previous owner doesn't end up SORNing the car (so it technically still has two months tax left) and I go into the Post Office and purchase another six months tax (while the remaining two months is still in effect), what exactly will happen? Will they find this out on their records and refuse me from purchasing more? Or will they sell it to me regardless, and I will just end up with duplicate tax running for two months, until the old tax runs out?

If you use the link i provided earlier, you can see when the tax runs out (called "Date of liability") if that date is in the past then the tax has run out. If that date is in the future and you are not displaying a tax you may get pulled (and possibly fined). if you catch the copper on a good day and just admit that you aren't displaying a tax disk (and also explain why) he MAY use his discretion and let you go (as long as the old tax is still valid)

you could also ask at the post office if you can purchase tax for when the old expires and explain your situation or if you'd have to buy the 6/12 months (and have the car taxed twice for 2 month)

also, IMO, you'd be better off telling the DVLA your story, including that the PO has taken the tax disc and you think that he may SORN the car and ask if you would need to purchase your own tax or if they can send you a duplicate tax disc (so you didn't get pulled)

Also, can you PM me your reg plate (and i'm guessing it's a VW) so i can just check over 1 or 2 things with the above link?

If DVLA / Post Office say that you'd be OK running his old tax then you're sorted, just insure it and enjoy driving and getting raped by the fuel TAX man :)

If DVLA / Post Office say NO, then just re-tax it and you should be ok and you'll have covered all your bases.

The DVLA will/should know that if they get the SORN come through from the PO but the new R/O (you) have taxed it then they should reject the sorn and because you've taxed it, they MAY give the PO a refund on the 2 months tax.

i know this is a real pain in the ass but when it's all sorted you'll be 'richer for the experience' and if anyone else has a similar problem, you can advise them on what to do and how best to do it.

Sorry if this makes little or no sense at all but it's 1AM and i'm tired but thought i'd help you out before i went to bed... ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :)

Yeh I think I get you, cheers dude! It's a needlessly complicated situation to be in lol but yeah I will at least know for next time!

Going to give the DVLA a ring tomorrow and see what they say. It's actually a Volvo 850 haha, got it for next to nothing though so can't wait to get it on the road liiike

That link works fine, it's telling me that the date of liability is the 1st of June 2010 and status is 'License Not Due', which I believe means it has just over a months tax left currently. I assume once/if the car is SORN'd, this will change to say something else?

Edited 28 April, 201016 yr by CWA

Yeh I think I get you, cheers dude! It's a needlessly complicated situation to be in lol but yeah I will at least know for next time!

Going to give the DVLA a ring tomorrow and see what they say. It's actually a Volvo 850 haha, got it for next to nothing though so can't wait to get it on the road liiike

That link works fine, it's telling me that the date of liability is the 1st of June 2010 and status is 'License Not Due', which I believe means it has just over a months tax left currently. I assume once/if the car is SORN'd, this will change to say something else?

when you get past the 5th of the month when tax expires (in your case, it should change on 5th of may), it should change to "license Due" or similar. i'm not sure about the sorn status as my car has never been SORNed.