Traffic offences?

[Cindyl]

On 25th October this year, I scrapped a van with a local merchant found in the local paper. I sent off the new owners form, and claimed my outstanding tax from the dvla. Yesterday, I received 3 traffic offence fines off £130 each for the van on 14th and 15th November in London (not where I live!). I rang the dvla and explained the situation to them and, although they had received my paperwork and paid back my outstanding tax, they say I am liable for the fines as the van is still registered to me (the scrap company did not send their part) surprise, surprise I'm unable to get hold of the scrap dealership. I have a receipt from them, but have been told it doesn't matter, I'm still liable. I called the police, and they still have the van registered to me. Apparently, they have photos of the offences being committed, but cannot identify the driver. I spent a total of almost 4 hours, pushed from pillar to post with the police and dvla and have been told, although I have a receipt for scrapping the van, although the dvla confirm I sent the new owners form, and claimed my tax back and declare it SORN, I still am liable. Can anybody please advise me as I certainly don't want to pay almost £400 of fines, but only have 28 days before they increase. I have asked the police to note my phone call, as I'm terrified someone may cause a serious accident in the van or create more fines in my name.

[ummmm]

According to this you should have got them to sign and sent it off.

https://www.gov.uk/notifying-dvla-if-you-sell-your-vehicle

[NOX]

I can't also see how you can sorn a vehicle you no longer own- something isn't right here. Which part of the V5 did you send off?

[Baldric]

Surely, SORN is just saying a vehicle is off road, not changing details of registered keeper, and can't see there was any need for you to do that anyway.

[New Judge]

What offences are involved?

There are some offences for which the registered keeper is liable and some for which the driver is liable. If they are in the former category then you have the difficulty that you may not have completed the process correctly or completely to make the change of registration effective. However, if they are of the latter the prosecuting authority has to prove who was driving and from what you say this may present them with a bit of difficulty.

[Peter Pedant]

My sincere sympathies Cind
I have been there - not as a white van man

I write to the DVLA a long hand letter whenever I sell a car.
and yes one of the times, I was in receipt of two tickets
and latterly a lawyer's letter saying i had run over someone.
So I was in a better position when I was defending an allegation that I had run over someone and broken their legs and then made a run for it.

[bednobs]

i thought the old owner (you) was responsible for sendign the bits off?

[percypineapple]

I sold my car to a dealer who disappeared, I recieved parking tickets from a collection agency who said the offences were commited in Switzerland. I didn;'t pay them and heard no more, but was fined by dvla for not informing them of the new owner, even though He was a dealer and said He would deal with the paperwork. so that was my fault.