DVLA SJPN Vehicle disposed of before offence date - guidance on withdrawal/defence

[enigmalive]

Hello,

I have received a Single Justice Procedure Notice from DVLA alleging that I kept an uninsured vehicle in 06/2025.

However, the vehicle had been returned in February 2025, under a PCP. The vehicle was collected by Manheim, and the inspector completed the V5C at the time of collection.

I have strong documentary evidence:

Manheim email confirming the inspection/collection appointment

Manheim inspection report showing date Feb 25 as the collection date (signed)

Finance company letter confirming “vehicle returned in February 2025”

Scanned V5C motor trader slip completed by Manheim ( I completely forgot to post the slip to DVLA !)

I did not receive the June Fixed Penalty Notice DVLA say they sent.

Questions:

Should I contact DVLA Prosecutions before submitting any plea to request withdrawal?
Apparently, some people have had success emailing DVLA directly (via prosecutions@dvla.gov.uk or dvlaenforcement@dvla.gov.uk) so I am thinking of doing this first.

Is this an established statutory defence (I was not the keeper at the time)?

What is the recommended approach based on experience of DVLA enforcement cases?

Have others achieved withdrawal or settlement at this stage with similar evidence?

All advice appreciated.

Thank you.

[enigmalive]

Hello,

I have received a Single Justice Procedure Notice from DVLA alleging that I kept an uninsured vehicle in 06/2025.

However, the vehicle had been returned in February 2025, under a PCP. The vehicle was collected by Manheim, and the inspector completed the V5C at the time of collection.

I have strong documentary evidence:

Manheim email confirming the inspection/collection appointment

Manheim inspection report showing date Feb 25 as the collection date (signed)

Finance company letter confirming “vehicle returned in February 2025”

Scanned V5C motor trader slip completed by Manheim ( I completely forgot to post the slip to DVLA !)

I did not receive the June Fixed Penalty Notice DVLA say they sent.

Questions:

Should I contact DVLA Prosecutions before submitting any plea to request withdrawal?
Apparently, some people have had success emailing DVLA directly (via prosecutions@dvla.gov.uk or dvlaenforcement@dvla.gov.uk) so I am thinking of doing this first.

Is this an established statutory defence (I was not the keeper at the time)?

What is the recommended approach based on experience of DVLA enforcement cases?

Have others achieved withdrawal or settlement at this stage with similar evidence?

All advice appreciated.

Thank you.

here are the scanned paperwork related with this. thank you.

[atticus]

I completely forgot to post the slip to DVLA !

This is unfortunate. Tell DVLA now.

[enigmalive]

here are the scanned paperwork related with this. thank you.

Sorry, do you mean that I should post the slip to them now, or email the DVLA and ask them to review my case?
Thank you for your help.

[atticus]

Both

[sandfordboy]

What happened in February regarding the Road fund license ? Did you go on-line & declare SORN ?

[enigmalive]

What happened in February regarding the Road fund license ? Did you go on-line & declare SORN ?

As it was zero fee being an EV, we didn't do anything about it.

[PallasAthena]

Neither SORN nor £0 tax rate are relevant here, The problem is two things have gone wrong. First you forgot to send V5C slip to DVLA (or do the transfer online) and second the DVLA fixed penalty notice sent to you on 5th June didn't arrive. So as you didn't pay the penalty notice DVLA have escalated to magistrates court SJPN.

Is there any reason you can think of why DVLA previous letter and fixed penalty notice didn't arrive? As you got the later SJPN letter I assume you haven't changed address.

Relying on DVLA goodwill to withdraw the prosecution might work so get in touch with them asap if you haven't already done so and let us know what they say.

But keep a careful eye on the SJPN deadlines. If DVLA won't withdraw prosecution (or have failed to reply to you) you must respond with 21 days from the issue date on the DVLA letter to say whether you plead Guilty or Not Guilty. It looks like the issue date was 21st November so you don't have much time. 21 days will be up at the end of next week.

I don't know if HandyAndy or islandgirl are around at the moment but tagging them to see if they have any advice on what might happen if DVLA won't withdraw prosecution.