Uninsured keeper of vehicle prosecution but vehicle was sold

[Guest]

I traded a car in at a main Ford dealer, they completed the registration transfer, I then received a notice of the vehicle being uninsured. I was late in responding but after the expiry date of the notice I provided the receipt from the garage showing the sale of the vehicle. I now have a prosecution notice. I’m clearly not guilty and can evidence this with the vehicle sale receipt but not with the registration form. It’s the Ford dealer cock up compounded by me by not responding within the initial notice period. Do i now plead not guilty and submit the evidence of the vehicle sale?

[paulajayne]

"I’m clearly not guilty" Sorry wrong, it is the onus of the vehicle seller to inform the DVLA of the transfer of ownership. You can try with the DVLA giving a timeline. May help.

[H&A]

"I’m clearly not guilty" Sorry wrong, it is the onus of the vehicle seller to inform the DVLA of the transfer of ownership. You can try with the DVLA giving a timeline. May help.

Thanks - what I meant was that the offence stated in the procedure notice is owning an uninsured vehicle not cocking up the communication process. As a matter of fact I did not own the vehicle on the date in question. So my question is do i plead guilty with mitigation or not guilty with explanation? And I accept i should have made sure the Ford dealer completed the paperwork properly but it was the first time I’ve sold a car so deferred to his expertise...

[des8]

*Sec 144A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states:
(1)If a motor vehicle registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 does not meet the insurance requirements, the person in whose name the vehicle is registered is guilty of an offence.

IF the wording on the summons refers to the OWNER plead not guilty as there is no such offence.
The offence is committed by the registered keeper, so if the offence refers to KEEPING an uninsured vehicle and YOU failed to notify the DVLA of a change of keeper you do have a problem.

Whether or not your plea of not doing what you should have done will cut any ice............ i doubt it , but go and ask those nice people at pepipoo, they are the experts (http://www.pepipoo.com/)