Moral of the story

I’ve always been careful about keeping my log books up to date, mainly to keep the original registration numbers on the DVLA system.

So, having got the Commando insured and mot’d I went on-line to try and get a tax disc  - which I knew should be free due to the age of the bike. I tried on two consecutive days. The computer said ‘no’ on each occasion and suggested I go to my local Post Office to get one.

Which is where I pitched-up this morning (the weather was sunny, and the bicycle ride would be a bit of exercise so it wasn't too much of an imposition).

Having got my queuing ticket and waited for half an hour, the nice lady behind the bar confirmed all my documents were in order (at the MOT station, details had to be re-entered because the bike had been off the road for so long). “How long would you like the tax disc to run?”, she asked. Knowing it should be free I replied “12 months please” and she duly wrote out a disc.

“That’ll be £78 then, please”.

 

“But the bike was registered before 1973 and is tax exempt, it should say that on your system”.

“It’s not coming up, I think they’ve changed the rules recently”.

“Well, I’ll just have 6 months then”.

Through gritted teeth she acknowledged my request, spoiling the original disc with a flourish and writing another.

“That’ll be £42.90 please”. Trying to be helpful, I asked if there was a credit card fee as DVLA always ask for one on-line. “No” she replied, and with a smile “that’s saved you a bit of money hasn’t it?”

Having plenty of time on my hands (sorry Roger, I imagine you were working) I cycled back home and trawled the web site for contact details. ‘If all else fails go and see the people at your local DVLA office’, it said.

Which is where I pitched up this afternoon (the weather was sunny and the bicycle ride was another bit of exercise so it wasn’t too much of an imposition). Fortunately, Chester still has a DVLA office (I understand it will close this coming autumn, along with many others).

Having got my queuing ticket and waited for half an hour, the nice lady behind the bar said all my documents were in order and she could get me a refund for the 6 months disc and issue a historic disc at no charge, there and then. And how long should the disc run for? “12 months please”. Hurrah.

She has taken my V5C and will issue another with the ‘historic’ status formally recorded. Of course, Martin probably already knew all this and I should have asked his advice.

Moral of the story: for any one else who has bikes lurking in their sheds which were either made or registered before Jan 1973, and if you’ve not already done it, go to your local DVLA office and get your log books sorted  - while it’s still open and there is someone to talk to who knows what they’re doing.