DVLA Demanding Information

[flango]

Hi All In April this year I bought some private plates for my CLK from the DVLA-SOM some 4 months later I have just received a letter reminding me not to alter or misrepresent the registration, which is fair enough. As the plate on the car is totally legal . It is the last paragraph of the letter that worries me and I quote " The DVLA has a duty to ensure that number plates are legitimately supplied by businesses that are registered with the DVLA. We ask that you notify us from which vendor you purchased the number plate. The DVLA will then independently contact the supplier to ensure they comply with their legal obligations. Please supply the information requested within 21 days to DVLA...... or alternatively telephone 0870........" My questions are am I legally obliged to supply this information? What happens if I don't supply it? What right have they got to ask for it? What business is it of theirs who I chose to spend my money with? Unfortunately I am working away at the moment so can not yet discuss this with someone who has more legal experience than me in these matters but I would appreciate all your views.

 

[whitenemesis]

Why would you not wish to help the DVLA in their duties?

 

[Dieselman]

You are only leasing the use of the number from DVLA under licence, who continue to own it.
As the owner and issuer of the numbers they have every right to ask you where you obtained them, and to remove your right to them if they so wish.

What's the problem with complying with their request..?

 

[flango]

My main problems are

Time Why should I waste my time writing to them?
Money It would cost me to contact them by letter or phone not a lot I admit but if they want the info then they should pay.
Invasion of Privacy why should I tell them where I spend my Money?

 

[flango]

You are only leasing the use of the number from DVLA under licence, who continue to own it.
As the owner and issuer of the numbers they have every right to ask you where you obtained them, and to remove your right to them if they so wish.

What's the problem with complying with their request..?

I agree they have every righ to ask, but currently I don't believe I am legally obligated to reply. However this is not my specialist area of law so will take advice when I'm back in the office

 

[Dieselman]

I think you are making a bit too much of this, just phone them up and tell them where you bought their goods from.
From what is written in the letter it sounds like the vendor hasn't complied with their licence to sell DVLA numbers.

You could've phoned them quicker than typing your post on here..

I suspect if you don't reply they will eventually withdraw the number, as they have every right to do under the original sale agreement.

 

[crockers]

0870 number - 10p a minute....all adds up.. try 01792 782341 and ask for personalised registrations (obtained from www.saynoto0870.com)

 

[recycled]

I am sure you can write back freepost and tell them to send you a stamped envelope, if they want a reply.

 

[flango]

I think you are making a bit too much of this, just phone them up and tell them where you bought their goods from.
From what is written in the letter it sounds like the vendor hasn't complied with their licence to sell DVLA numbers.

You could've phoned them quicker than typing your post on here..

I suspect if you don't reply they will eventually withdraw the number, as they have every right to do under the original sale agreement.

That can't be the case the DVLA don't know who the vendor is as I have not told them.

They can only withdraw the number under section 23 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration act and that does not cover this issue

I'm not making too much of it I just don't like my privacy being invaded and wondered what other members views were

 

[whitenemesis]

My main problems are

Time Why should I waste my time writing to them?
Money It would cost me to contact them by letter or phone not a lot I admit but if they want the info then they should pay.
Invasion of Privacy why should I tell them where I spend my Money?

Why shouldn't you tell them were you spend your money?

It's certainly not a secret as you leave a trail whenever you spend but that's not really the point.

As Deiselman says pick up the phone, 10 min later sorted and move on.

 

[whitenemesis]

That can't be the case the DVLA don't know who the vendor is as I have not told them.

They can only withdraw the number under section 23 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration act and that does not cover this issue

I'm not making too much of it I just don't like my privacy being invaded and wondered what other members views were

And you have two members views...


Perhaps you plates have been reported as not conforming and the DVLA are trying to discover who is make non-conforming plates?

Perhaps they don't wish to stress you buy having you worry you might be breaking the law.

Perhaps they don't want to alert the vendor they are investigating them.

Perhaps

Perhaps

Perhaps just tell them and be done with it?

 

[MikeL]

Send 'em an e-mail with a jpg atachment of the relevent markings - I don't object to providing the info but don't see why it should cost, especially by 0870 that great UK money spinning pastime.


Mike

 

[pammy]

I'm guessing that when a number is bought from DVLA and a plate is then supplied in accordance with DVLA requirements then they are notified as such by the supplier and close the file. One might surmise form this that they have received no such notification with regards to the number you have bought and so are simply chasing it up. I don't see the problem If you have had the plates made up as per the rules then you have nothing to worry about and might want to check with the supplier that they have done what they should.

For the sake of a few pence over what you've already paid - why not just make the call

 

[MikeL]

.....10 min later sorted and move on.

Have you tried phoning them recently? 10 mins I should be so lucky.

Maybe I should learn Welsh, might get answered quicker.

Mike

 

[Dieselman]

That can't be the case the DVLA don't know who the vendor is as I have not told them.

They can only withdraw the number under section 23 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration act and that does not cover this issue

I assume we are talking about the actual number plates displayed on the car.

The vendor has to be registered and licenced by the DVLA and has to register making up your plates and ensuring they conform to legal standards.
if they fail to do that they have supplied plates illegally so they would be illegal plates.

The vendor can't have registered them otherwise the DVLA wouldn't be asking. Therefore they are illegal plates and can be withdrawn from use.

 

[Dieselman]

Have you tried phoning them recently? 10 mins I should be so lucky.

Maybe I should learn Welsh, might get answered quicker.

Why, does the phone ring in Welsh then.

 

[crockers]

Send 'em an e-mail with a jpg atachment of the relevent markings - I don't object to providing the info but don't see why it should cost, especially by 0870 that great UK money spinning pastime.


Mike

Do they have an email address? Agree over 0870 numbers ....one of my pet hates

 

[Marque]

As the plate on the car is totally legal.

Perhaps they are not 'totally legal' and someone has informed the DVLA!

Totally legal means:
1) Acrylic white/yellow standard size oblong or square plates conforming to the current British Standard.
2) Registration mark in the standard (plain or 3D) font of the correct size and with the correct spacing.
3) The name, trade mark or other ID of the manufacturer.
4) The name and postcode of the supplying outlet.
5) The current British Standard Number (i.e. BS AU 145d).
6) Optionally, a standard Euro country symbol on the left.
7) Optionally, a plain border.
8) And nothing else!

Plates bought from 'show' plates suppliers often don't have all these features. It could be you they're after, not just the supplier!

 

[flango]

I assume we are talking about the actual number plates displayed on the car.

The vendor has to be registered and licenced by the DVLA and has to register making up your plates and ensuring they conform to legal standards.
if they fail to do that they have supplied plates illegally so they would be illegal plates.

The vendor can't have registered them otherwise the DVLA wouldn't be asking. Therefore they are illegal plates and can be withdrawn from use.

I can confirm the vendor is registerd with the DVLA as he and I do a lot of business together so plates are perfectly legal and displayed according to the rules and regulations so that is not an issue

 

[Dieselman]

I can confirm the vendor is registerd with the DVLA as he and I do a lot of business together so plates are perfectly legal and displayed according to the rules and regulations so that is not an issue

Are they registered with the DVLA. If so they already know the vendor, but as you said they didn't know then I assume they aren't registered.

Voilla..the reason for the enquiry.