Historic Road Tax

[peteyg]

Hi all,

Looking for advice. I've just been sent a reminder to pay £280 road tax on the Esprit which was manufactured on 19th October 1979 so well over the 40 year threshold. I can't get through to DVLA on the phone or via web chat. I want to keep the car taxed (runs out mid June) so I can use it. Any ideas on the quickest way to get this resolved? The V5C says the vehicle is PLG as opposed to historic but I assumed it would change automatically on the DVLA database. Obviously not...

Cheers,

Pete

[exeterjeep]

https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles/apply-for-vehicle-tax-exemption seems to indicate a visit to the post office to change class.

[Bazza 907]

@peteygNo can't change it at a post office.

I've just been through this with the Essex. You have to get the vehicle registered as a historic vehicle and in order to do that you need to send the V5, MOT cert (or declaration saying it's not needed because its >40 years old - there's a form) and insurance certificate to DVLA.

Waiting time is about 6 weeks but you can see if the car has been registered as 'Historic' by going on the Gov.uk website and asking the question "Is my car taxed?"

It took about 5 weeks and then I saw the tax status had changed from SORN to Taxed and was registered as a historic vehicle. I was then sent a new V5 by DVLA and the original documents under separate cover.

Annoying because it seemed to suggest that I could do it at a post office which I couldn't and of course DVLA where either on a go slow due to Coronavirus or on strike whilst I was waiting and underling this time I couldn't drive the car on the road.

Hope this helps 

[Rudi K]

I had to pay £280 to tax my JPS #40 last September on the DVLA website, since there was no way to avoid it on the web site.

The DVLA then sent me the money back a few weeks later, explaining the 40 year rule.

Nuts!

[skiing]

I hope to sort this next year - as my car should then be inside the 40 years rule - it was registered 1 August 1981. 

[jep]

My brother did it at the Post Office this year. Some staff refuse to do it but after a couple of visits, he found one who understood it.

I did my previously by sending stuff in to DVLA but the procedure should be via the Post Office - if you find someone who understands this at the branch.

Justin

[Leigh Greenham]

I successfully changed my 1980 Elite's tax status to Historic at my local village Post Office instantly on 1st April this year, and with no fuss. The counter staff lady wrote on the V5C, I signed it, she sent it away and gave me a till receipt showing the car now being taxed from 1/4/21 for 12 months at a cost of £0.  She followed the instructions on her computer screen and didn't need to see my insurance or MoT proof, I assume the PO is linked into the DVLA database and wouldn't let her proceed if either was out of date.  As soon as I got home I checked the DVLA website which correctly showed the car as being taxed for the next 12 months.

Two weeks ago my new V5C came through the post (all details correct) and this week I got a DVLA cheque refund for the two months of unused tax (£45).

I would say that the service from the PO and DVLA was excellent all round, Covid or not, perhaps I am very lucky with the competence of my local Post Office counter ladies.  I had even driven the Lotus there to record the event for my archive!

Leigh

[dave excell]

Nice to see your car again Leigh. A long time has passed since that trip to Monaco. I hope COVID wont effect the historic in 2022.

[peteyg]

Thanks all. All sorted. I went to the post office and a most helpful chap taxed the vehicle free of charge and offered to send the V5 off to the DVLA for me! Honestly didn't expect it to be so simple hence the post. Like Leigh, I drove the Esprit there but the Basingstoke Post Office isn't quite as attractive and is now situated in the shopping center so no chance of a photo op....

Pete