DVLA LOCKDOWN LEAVES CLASSIC CAR STRANDED
Registration agency’s move to online-only operations in response to the coronavirus outbreak leaves reader’s Porsche 928 in limbo
The DVLA’s move to shut down many of its services in response to the coronavirus outbreak has left some classic owners midway through applications – and unable to use cars on essential journeys.
Ken Spoor got in touch with CCW after being asked by the agency to send off paperwork in order to confirm the change to tax-exempt status for his Porsche 928, but has since been unable to tax it due to delays since the outbreak.
He said: ‘I want to be able to use the Porsche on essential journeys in accordance with Government guidelines, but worry that if I drove past an ANPR camera, it would flag it up as not being taxed.’
THE COVER STORY
Aclassic fan is unable to use his car for because the DVLA hasn’t been able to make it tax-exempt. Ken Spoor, from Newcastle, got in touch with CCW after numerous attempts to get his 1979 Porsche 928 – currently on SORN – back on the road stalled when the DVLA closed down much of its services in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
He said that his car, which was registered in June 1980 but built in December 1979, became eligible for tax-exempt ‘Historic’ status at the beginning of April and that he applied for a change in status. At the DVLA’s request, he sent them the car’s registration document, a completed V10 car tax application form and documents proving the car’s date of manufacture by recorded delivery on 10 March, but the car is still recorded as being on SORN. Ken believes that the situation has been affected by the DVLA reducing its services in response to the UK-wide lockdown introduced on 23 March.
He said: ‘I appreciate the situation that the DVLA is in, but I would like to be able to use the car on some essential journeys so that I can keep the car working as it should be – it hasn’t been out for five months and now it’s looking unlikely that it’ll be able to go out at all, because I’ve nothing to clarify that it can driven legally at the moment.
‘I want to be able to use the Porsche on essential journeys, which I am allowed to do under the current guidelines, but I worry that if I drove past an ANPR camera, it would flag the car up as not being taxed.’
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs is urging classic owners to use the DVLA’s online services and to help key workers by not sending in paper applications until further notice, due to the current situation.
The DVLA did not respond to CCW’s requests for a comment on Mr Spoor’s specific case before this week’s issue went to press, but it confirmed that it was no longer responding to paper applications.
The agency said: ‘In line with the government’s advice we 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.
‘In particular, we are prioritising applications relating to HGV drivers and key workers to make sure that they get any documentation they need as quickly as possible. We are unable to deal with any other paper applications until further notice.’