Morning all

I take it all back, about just wanting the SVA over with as the DVLA thing is just paperwork.

I've never come across such a petty bureacratic system.

I can't start the registration process before SVA. Now I have a MAC and it's all the reasons other than.

I can't speak to the guy who does kit cars on the phone as they won't put me through, I stand and queue for 45 mins and told you can't see him. I can't make an appointment to see him.

Oh and they wouldn't take the completed paperwork for him to look at when he is available either in case he needs to see me.

Then I can't hire a trailer as I don't know when my inspection is and I can't get a date as I can't see the bloke at DVLA.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

How in Gods name are you meant to get anything registered. I really don't want to go back to that office in case I lose my temper. They just didn't want to help and couldn't care less.

Try the Shrewsbury office, thats who I used and they were very helpful.

From inspection to getting my tax disc and No plates...1 day...cant fault them.

Bob

Dont hire a trailer, drive it.

Firstly, I would send the office an email in writing, and record any communication with them, in case they are as disorganised later on, and try to accuse you of anything. I deal with dickheads like this at work, and it helps you later on.

Then, i would look to see what the processes are for SVA and Registration. Follow them one at a time, and be patient. Easier said than done, but if you get really frustrated, then theres no reason why you couldnt book the car into a garage nearby and drive it there for an MOT or Pre-SVA tests / remedial work...

Be cool, and follow the beurocracy to the letter.
Someone on here has a footer on their posts that says;

"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." I beleive theyre referring to the british Government, or at least some of its departments....

I wouldn't drive it, when I went for my inspection the boys in blue were waiting to see if anyone turned up for inspection not on a trailer.

Bob

quote:

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Originally posted by bbwales
I wouldn't drive it, when I went for my inspection the boys in blue were waiting to see if anyone turned up for inspection not on a trailer.

Bob

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quote:

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Originally posted by MakeEverything

quote:

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Originally posted by bbwales
I wouldn't drive it, when I went for my inspection the boys in blue were waiting to see if anyone turned up for inspection not on a trailer.

Bob

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Bob,
Its perfectly legal for you to drive to a pre-booked SVA test or MOT at approved stations.
There is a grey area around insurance, but ive heard you can insure the car on its chassis number.

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I totally agree with you, it is legal to drive to the SVA and MOT, but it is illegal to drive to the DVLA. I went to the office after my SVA in the car and asked if I could drive it for the inspection to be told that no I couldnt even though they had my money for the TAX and registration.

You can insure the car on its chassis number but you are normally only given 30 days.

Regards

Bob

Here is the problem.

I have to use Chester apparently you have to use the one nearest to where you live.

I've done everything form wise but can't get to see or speak to the one bloke who registers kit cars.

I can't book a trailer as I can't get an inspection date and sods law when I do the trailer won't be available.

I can't get an email address for the bloke as no one will give it to me.

So I have all the info and I'm paying for insurance but can't progress any further. I can see it only getting worse the nearer to Christmas we get as they really won't care then.

Maybe I should just attach a brick to the folder and throw it through one of the windows

I've even tried the exemption for driving if it's a pre booked appointment for a non registered car thing and apparently now you need trade plates or you're braking the law.

This was checked with both DVLA and the police

And before anyone asks no they don't do home visits.

was hoping to have this boxed off before Christmas, looks like I'm going to have to take a week off work in January and just sit in their office annoying the crap out them until they listen.

And to think they get paid for this.

Nigel,

I used Shrewsbury which is 31 miles away and not Chester which is 12 miles away, they didn't care just did the bits and bobs....the only disadvantage is the inspector has to come from Brum or Worcester. It annoyed me as the inspection took 3 mins max.

Regards

Bob

quote:

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Originally posted by 02GF74

quote:

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Originally posted by MakeEverything

quote:

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Originally posted by bbwales
I wouldn't drive it, when I went for my inspection the boys in blue were waiting to see if anyone turned up for inspection not on a trailer.

Bob

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Bob,
Its perfectly legal for you to drive to a pre-booked SVA test or MOT at approved stations.
There is a grey area around insurance, but ive heard you can insure the car on its chassis number.

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correct but JH has passed the SVA - read the bit about having the MAC.

Your are not allowed to drive the car for the VOSA inspection.


[Edited on 17/11/08 by 02GF74]

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Phone up and get name of person answering phone.

Ask to make appointment or speak to mr vosa dude.

If they refuse, demand to be put through to manage to make a complaint.

If no joy write to office and complain.

search the foruim - there was someone who took similar measures.

Unfortunately we are thinking sense, something the DVLA doesn't use as can be seen by the problems that Nigel is having to suffer.

Bob

quote:

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Originally posted by MakeEverything]

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I wrote a formal complaint to the manager of my local DVLA office as well as applying for compensation via the DVLA website. Seemed to speed things up no end

I agree, the system is absolutely ridiculous and staffed by half-wits...

I posted my form to the office (Manchester) and then they then contacted me within the week with an inspection date. I only sent the form and reciepts. I showed them all the other stuff (MAC, Insurance,etc) at the inspection. The whole thing went very smoothly but seemed frustrating at first as I couldn't speak to the right person untill after I'd sent the form. Once they'd contacted me I had the direct phone number and it was OK to phone (albeit they are often away from thier desk doing inspections).

Have you sent/delivered the form or did you just leave with it?

adrian

You can even drive the car back from a SVA even if you have failed the test......it just doesn't add up, it is hard to believe that VOSA and DVLA work out of the same building in Swansea.

Don't drive to the DLVA. I was pulled by the police for this. The appointment letter specifically said don't drive and Mr Plod pointed this out to me. He did eventually let me off with a warning, but I wouldn't risk it.

I passed the SVA at Liverpool, went into Chester DVLA office,they supplied the nessesary forms after a long wait.
I asked if I could bring car back on trailer for inspection - reply "no way"
They came out to inspect it about a week later.
The problem with the Chester office is parking, they have a very very small car park off a very narrow part of City walls road near Chester Racecourse.( Probably difficult/impossible to get trailer in) The nearest public parking is I think circa £3 minimum charge
Mike

The Dont like you NOT using the local DVLA office. Its all to do with Fake registrations and crime.

I did my SVA at Chelmsford (very good)
I then drove from the SVA site to the DVLA office which is about 1 mile up the road.

They did not want to accept the registration.
I pointed out the date on the SVA certificate, and that they were 1 mile from the SVA centre, and Peterborough was 70 miles away, and 30+ miles in the opposite direction to my home.

They then said I needed an appointment for the inspection. However the bloke was in the office and did it there and then. I suppose that was lucky as he could have been out on an inspection. So make sure you can get it inspected.

They were helpful, once I got them started, and answered all their questions about where I lived, and why I was doing it at Chelmsffrd and not Peterborough.

It appears that different offices interpret the rules differently.

You can drive to the SVA, an MoT, but not to a DVLA inspection.
Daft but there it is.

You get your insurance on the Chassis number for the above trips. Tax and Mot are not required. and no number plates for
the SVA are OK.

I got passed by 4 police cars (3 SVA visits) and they didnt even bat an eyelid.

IIRC you can use any office you want to register the car, not just the nearest.

I'll be using Teesside rather than Leeds as it's easier to get to, and the Leeds office is smack in the middle of town.

quote:

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Originally posted by bbwales
it is hard to believe that VOSA and DVLA work out of the same building in Swansea.

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DVLA Complaints Procedure

OOPS sorry I was told that they did, I stand corrected.

quote:

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Originally posted by 001Ben
DVLA Complaints Procedure

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One thing I would add is that you should not put SVA or MOT on the car as you are allowed to travel without number plates but Mr Plod COULD do you for showing illegal plates ie SVA or MOT

Sorry to hear of your whoes dude. I used the stockton office which is not the closest for two reasons.

1. It was on the way back from SVA where i arrived unannounced after the test and they obliged with a smile.

2. Stockton was easier to get too, basically straight off the A19. Newcastle office is across the middle for me and the car park is a nightmare to get round with a trailer, no where to park etc.

Stockton DID point out I should use my regional office but were still smiling and happy to do it. I was also lucky to go on the day the kit car girl, Kelly, was there but she was great and couldn't have been more helpful.

I just waited in the Q and plonked all the forms, V5/55, reciepts, Mac etc on the counter and when the assistant had stared at them blankly for 30 seconds she went and got the kit car person.

If I was you I would send a letter requesting the registration of your car, OR go to a different office, OR go and put all the forms on the counter. If you get no joy ask to see the manager as they are accountable office to office for customer service.

Steve

i went to the one in edinburgh the other day, they were the most unhelpful and self important people ive ever spoken to, she gave me absolutely no help whatsoever ( i was trying to find out how to speed the process up cause i have to go away at the end of the month)

i managed to set up insurance for my car to the sva/mot without a chassis number or anything through msm, they were pretty good and got me a decent quote

Don't despair, although we have every right to when dealing with DVLA. You'll get there eventually but you just have to adopt a Zen attitude or you'll drive yourself nuts.
My (nottingham) experience - filled in every form to the letter, took all sorts of evidence of receipts, photos etc. Joined queue, waited saw a guy who took my money and gave me an appointment for 3 weeks time for inspection.
I was lucky and borrowed a trailer, but there is nowhere to park one at the inspection place, so I took my wife with me to guard the trailer while I drove the car the 300 metres to their garage. The inspection took 2 minutes, involved counting the wheels and checking the colour, and a squint at the chassis plate!

They insisted on an Mot and would not give me an age-related plate despite all of the evidence. I managed not to lose my cool but it was not easy.

Jeff

Sounds about as good as Ipswich DVLA.

Go to another office that know what they are doing, that's what I had to do. You are not restricted to your local office.

not what I wanted to hear!! How can you not end up with the correct plate even when you give them all the information?

I'm praying now that this bloke when I finally manage to meet him is reasonable or I'm going to find it pretty difficult maintaining any kind of level headedness.

quote:

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Originally posted by 02GF74

quote:

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Originally posted by MakeEverything

quote:

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Originally posted by bbwales
I wouldn't drive it, when I went for my inspection the boys in blue were waiting to see if anyone turned up for inspection not on a trailer.

Bob

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Bob,
Its perfectly legal for you to drive to a pre-booked SVA test or MOT at approved stations.
There is a grey area around insurance, but ive heard you can insure the car on its chassis number.

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correct but JH has passed the SVA - read the bit about having the MAC.

Your are not allowed to drive the car for the VOSA inspection.


Peterborough told me it was OK to drive to inspection. Its about time DVLA got their act together and used one set of rules. In this day and age with the technology available surely its not too much to ask?


[Edited on 17/11/08 by 02GF74]

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well the saga continues.

Tried to ring and speak to the individual at chester but the call centre insisted on relaying the information and putting me on hold each time.

From this 15 minute phone call I gathered the following.

He only works 3 days a week, he takes his dinner from 1-2 and leaves at 3:30!!

So that basically means the afternoon is a right off as it takes on average an hour to queue and get to speak to anyone.

So unless I go in first thing in the morning I probably won't get to see him and as I start work at 07:30 not 9am as he does thats unlikely.

This amount of screwing around seriously puts me off building a second car knowing I'd need to go through this farce again.

Nigel

Don't let tha b-----ds get you down , it's all worth it in the end.