SORN (here we go again)

[sickpup]

Another hole has opened up in the DVLA's SORN system that could easily catch people unawares and open them up to fines.

Bought another bike a few weeks back and tried to SORN it immediately the V5 turned up, the DVLA website wouldn't allow it as already SORNed.
Knowing it wasn't SORNed in my name, I tried again a few days later and still no joy. Tried again few days later, still no joy.

Fast forward to yesterday and a letter threatening the usual penalty has turned up so tried again to SORN online and it still says it is SORNed so ran a DVLA vehicle check which says it isn't SORNed.
Following the letters instructions I tried to use the phone number to do the SORN and again, doesn't work but did put me through to a telephonist who was most helpful.

The chap on the phone told me that there is a known problem with DVLA's system that if you buy a SORNed vehicle and try to SORN it, it becomes confused and won't allow you to SORN. The system is set up so that you have to tax the vehicle to clear the previous SORN before SORNing again which is a bit of a nonsense and not possible if there is no MOT and/or insurance.
What should happen at this point is the telephonist should complete a web form and send it to the business team who will clear the SORN and re-SORN in your name. The SORN should be backdated to the day you first tried to SORN, failures to SORN are recorded on DVLA's system.

If you have problems SORNing a vehicle I recommend you make a note of the dates and times you tried to SORN and then try to SORN via phone and when you get put through to a telephonist talk to them about your vehicle being 'double SORNed' and ask for it to be referred on.

There may be other circumstances where this happens, just follow my advice and you should be good.
If DVLA try penalise you, this information will cover you.

[Easy-X]

I'd imagine it runs something like this. Do the V5 transfer, you have tax? We'll give you a refund! Vehicle is now in the new keeper's name, untaxed and ready to go. Next step could be either tax it or SORN it.

It sounds like if it's SORN'd already the transfer operation is not interested as there's no money to refund. The new keeper can't access this remnant SORN record in any way and so you're stuck.

But! You can have a vehicle with zero value road tax (my old Skoda for example) which I have to tax each year (pay zero pounds and zero pence) and request a refund if I sold it (hey! 6 months refund... zero again) so it would only require some programmer to treat SORNs like zero value taxed vehicles. There'd still be a few new keepers who'd forget to immediately re-SORN the vehicle but better that than bothering Swansea over the phone.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[doggone]

Eventually they will spend a few £billion to sort it out just in time for further major changes.
This will likely catch out friend of mine just buying a bike he came across in storage where he was doing a job.

[stinkwheel]

It's just a mess. I bought a vehicle recently with no log book. I filled in the V62 form and sent it with a SORN declaration as per the instructions. The V5 came back. Then my SORN was returned with a letter saying I don't need to SORN it. Then 2 weeks later I got a snotty letter saying I need to make a SORN declaration or I can be fined.

Given I have in my posession both a letter saying I don't need to SORN it AND proof that I not only submitted a SORN but that they received it in the form of the actual SORN form in question complete with DVLA received stamp on it, I await any further developments on the subject with interest.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[sickpup]

[stinkwheel]

[Moxey]

Had exactly the same carry on back in July with the Guzzi.

I attempted to SORN multiple times online and twice at 2 different post offices, I only called DVLA after receiving the snotty reminder letter.

They pretty much advised exactly as you say Sickpup but they also added having a record of every SORN attempt I'd made both online and at post office, so they clearly log such activity, not sure if attempting to SORN would be sufficient defence in the event someone ended up fined or in court over their system glitch...
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Current: 02 FZS 1000 & 51 Moto Guzzi California Some Bike Pics...
'I was too busy paying attention to pay attention'

[stinkwheel]

[Fizzer Thou]

I had a situation with dvla about six years ago when I received a V11 form from them for my XR400.I did not understand why I received it as it was already SORNed,so I went on-line to do it only for it not to be accepted.The next day I went to the post office and presented it to the counter attendant,who duly scanned the bar code,rubber stamped it with the relevant day stamp and gave me a receipt.As far as I was concerned I had done my part.

Not longer after,I received a notification from the 'people' at some other department to say that I had not SORNed or taxed my vehicle and that I would need to pay a PCN or half the amount if I paid within a certain number of days.I wrote to the department concerned,together with copies of the relevant paperwork.The reply was that they had not received the notification and that I still had the opportunity to pay half.I wrote again,reiterating my previous points and that I had visited the local post office stated on the form after I had asked them if there was a possibility that it had not been received at the other end,to which the reply was that there was no way it had not been lost or mislaid.The snotty letter I then had by return was to pay the PCN and then they would discuss it further.There was no way I was going to do that,so I wrote AGAIN,saying that I would not pay as that could be misconstrued that I was guilty of something.The next letter from that office was that if I did not comply there would be a court summons where I could be served with a CCJ and other such penalties.My last letter told them in no uncertain terms that I was quite prepared to go to court with all of my evidence and take it from there.I knew that it would never go that far and have heard nothing since then.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Hahadumball]

Having this same drama myself now, v5 for one of mine arrived today and despite saying its untaxed, it also says its sorn
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Fin: no matter how much I look at It I can't understand what was going through my head, all I remember is going about 80 and redlining it to stop it seizing.
360 Deg... Five 1/4 turns. :- Teflon-Mike 18 Jan 2015