Deeply disappointed with DVLA

[swithin]

Got my V5C through last night for my new 2007 SL500 and thought great I can put the private plate on it. Managed to go through the process of taking my plate off my other car and they managed to relieve me of £80 for the privilege. Next stage, apply to have plate put on new car. "Our records show this registration number cannot be put on this vehicle" was the unhelpful message I got. the number plat is a 56 for a 57 car so the problem isn't there and there was no problem putting the number on another car recently so the plate is ok. Now I understand about COVID-19 but there was no warning at any stage in the process, which online is automated. Also very very confused as to how they can deal with one half of the process but not the other. Also we have been in lock-down since March 16 and i managed to go through the entire process with another car 2 weeks ago with no problem. They won't answer the phone unless your a key worker and the service is unavailable until further notice according to the phone message you receive when you call.

 

[baxlin]

If the delay in the 'automatic system' of putting the JZR's recent MoT pass on the 'get vehicle info.......' bit of their website is anything to go by, I'd leave it a day or so and try again.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

A mate put his private plate on maybe 4 weeks ago (had to send V5 off as couldn't be done online and he sent registered).

Still no word and he has the new plates on the car so it has sat on his drive since.

 

[190]

DVLA are running on a skeleton staff. I've never found them helpful in the past when they were fully manned so at the moment the best you can expect is a very long delay.


This from the Federation of Historic Vehicle Clubs

Dear Member/Supporter,

We hope you are all keeping well and continuing to stay safe.

Let us all help the DVLA and key workers to not send in paper applications until further notice.
In line with the government’s advice the DVLA have a very limited number of staff on site who are only dealing with applications from those who are directly involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are not accepting any other paper applications.

Please keep abreast of their information by viewing the following link which was originally posted on 25 March, but is continually being updated. (Latest update was 17 April.)

DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

 

[DetailerDan]

Strange this as i purchased a private plate 2 weeks after lockdown from dvla and the turnaround was very quick. All the paperwork arrived within 5 days and i just did the rest on the old tinterweb and within 5 mins the plate could go on the car.

 

[Deleted member 149005]

It isnt clear from the DVLA site but they restrict a transfer off a car to retention then to a new car if it occurs too quickly

Not ideal but that was the case a few years ago - they need to e to validate records. It will resolve itself quickly enough

Car to car is usually ok

 

[Benzowner]

When I put the registration number on my car, it was all done via the web, no contact with DVLA at all. Just had to print off the paperwork so you can order the replacement number plates.

Now there is where the problem could arise, can you buy the number plates to go on your car from a bone vide number plate establishment?

 

[DetailerDan]

I just got my plates off gaybay

 

[flowrider]

Plenty of online number plate makers will make up the plates with no documentary evidence, not legal but the police have more important things to do than inspect every number plate on every car. I've used www.platesforcars.co.uk in the past.

 

[swithin]

Thing that hacks me off is that taking the plate of my c250 and paying £80 was no problem then I got the message that it’s not possible to use my plate 56 plate on my 57 car

 

[BlackC55]

Did two cherished transfers 5 weeks ago by post. Still waiting.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Got my V5C through last night for my new 2007 SL500 and thought great I can put the private plate on it. Managed to go through the process of taking my plate off my other car and they managed to relieve me of £80 for the privilege. Next stage, apply to have plate put on new car. "Our records show this registration number cannot be put on this vehicle" was the unhelpful message I got. the number plat is a 56 for a 57 car so the problem isn't there and there was no problem putting the number on another car recently so the plate is ok. Now I understand about COVID-19 but there was no warning at any stage in the process, which online is automated. Also very very confused as to how they can deal with one half of the process but not the other. Also we have been in lock-down since March 16 and i managed to go through the entire process with another car 2 weeks ago with no problem. They won't answer the phone unless your a key worker and the service is unavailable until further notice according to the phone message you receive when you call.

You have answered your own question really. We have a worldwide lockdown. Most of the workers will be either working at home or as previously mentioned a skeleton staff.

The staff which are keeping it ticketing over are no doubt risking themselves every day going in.

You need a little bit of a reality check with a global pandemic and swapping a number plate over isn't exactly an essential task... I'm amazed they are still open at all. (No disrespect intended)

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Thing that hacks me off is that taking the plate of my c250 and paying £80 was no problem then I got the message that it’s not possible to use my plate 56 plate on my 57 car

Did the plate on a retention cert?

If so see post 6...

 

[swithin]

You have answered your own question really. We have a worldwide lockdown. Most of the workers will be either working at home or as previously mentioned a skeleton staff.

The staff which are keeping it ticketing over are no doubt risking themselves every day going in.

You need a little bit of a reality check with a global pandemic and swapping a number plate over isn't exactly an essential task... I'm amazed they are still open at all. (No disrespect intended)

Thing is, taking the plate of my other car and paying £80 to do it worked exactly as planned it just wouldn’t allow me to put the plate on my other car. The message that came up scared the bejesus out of me as well saying the number plate cannot be used on your vehicle. No explanation nothing, leaving me wondering if there is a problem with the plate or the car and no way of finding out.

 

[swithin]

Did the plate on a retention cert?

If so see post 6...

I put the plate on my other merc 2 weeks ago days after buying it and getting my retention cert with no problems. I also received the V5 for my new car within days of getting it home last Friday so am totally bemused as to why I can’t go any further seeing as everything else worked like clockwork

 

[ringway]

I have previously dealt with the DVLA with varying degrees of success when changing registration numbers - some acceptable and some long-winded changeovers, but essentially, the change was made.
I have always waited for the changeover for as long as it takes - anything from circa 8 days to 3-4 weeks.

I have several cherished numbers, some of which are on my cars and some that are on retention.

I have bought most of my collection from New Reg. LINK.

My latest acquisition, was quite expensive and a reg that I had wanted for many years and was purchased from New Reg.


I asked New Reg if there was a way of getting the reg transferred any quicker than by using the DVLA.

They said that if I visited their office with my V5, that they could do the transfer the same day.
I was traveling back home and within 45 minutes of leaving their office, I received a call to say that the transfer was complete.

IIRC, the cost was the same as the DVLA charge of £80.

Do New Reg have special powers or some sort of insider know-how?
Would they have accommodated me if I had bought a lower-priced reg or hadn't bought the reg from them?
I don't know the answer, but I was pleasantly surprised to be told to make the reg changeover that day, if at all possible.

My point is, that it may well be worth contacting the offices of the nearest cherished number dealer to see if they can facilitate the transfer instead of waiting for the DVLA.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

In times such as these I would be grateful that this is your biggest concern to be fair

 

[John N]

I put the plate on my other merc 2 weeks ago days after buying it and getting my retention cert with no problems. I also received the V5 for my new car within days of getting it home last Friday so am totally bemused as to why I can’t go any further seeing as everything else worked like clockwork

I'm not the best at Maths, but doesn't this statement imply that the Plate is on your other Merc?

 

[Deleted member 126251]

I reckon there are way bigger issues to be "deeply disappointed" about.

They messed up my SORN last month, and did not refund the full amount and yes their customer service is closed but I've taken a big deep breath and I'm sure that it will get sorted when things start getting back to normal.

 

[Deleted member 149005]

I put the plate on my other merc 2 weeks ago days after buying it and getting my retention cert with no problems. I also received the V5 for my new car within days of getting it home last Friday so am totally bemused as to why I can’t go any further seeing as everything else worked like clockwork

see post 6 - DVLA build in a delay if a plate goes from your old car to retention then to a car new you (ie you have only just received the new V5 for) as part of their anti fraud process. That delay will be even longer, if, as I understand from your post 15, the reg has been on a 3rd car recently...

And as many others have said, they are running on a reduced staff