DVLA 50% off PIP postal road tax application.

[Confused01]

DVLA postal road tax application..told up to 8 weeks to process and cannot use my car if not processed by due tax date!!

Has anybody else had this recently? I sent in 3 1/2 weeks ahead of due tax date.

There’s no other way of applying with 50% off road tax (PIP).

I can’t be without my car, impossible. Last time they lost my application, it was left in the Post Room. After I complained, it had all my official car docs in, they miraculously found it.

This situation is so unfair and detrimental to people in my position through no fault of our own. 😢.

Has anyone else applied recently and if so how long did it take to get done?

X

[mjgoddo71]

Hi, I did mine a couple of months ago. It took some time for it to be processed. DVLA messed up a bit with repayments, I I got my 50% from the date of my award back eventually. Just give it some time, I know there were backlogs at the offices earlier in the year, due to a Covid outbreak there.

[Cockerspaniels2]

I had the same problem last year. What I did was pay the full amount on the day my tax ran out and then I had to wait for my docs to be returned send them off again and request a refund. Took them 6 months to sort out. This year I just paid the full yearly tax amount and then sent my docs of with a covering letter asking for my refund. Hope that helps. x

[Confused01 in reply to Cockerspaniels2]

Problem I have now is that DVLA have my documents so I can’t even request my 50% refund when I pay in full to keep my car on the road.

I will also have to pay to cancel the cheque (£10) I sent them plus already paid £2.75 signed for post and will have to again for eventual refund request. That’s at least £15.50 out of pocket.

I’m fuming about this and tbh I find it discriminating as DVLA should of enable their automated online road tax system for us 50% paying peeps by now, they’ve had years.

Last year I was told by the staff in the correct office I could continue to drive my car regardless if they are late in processing. I think because I’d spoken direct and done security info 🤔.

X

[Cockerspaniels2]

Hi, don’t worry about your cheque they never cashed mine when I paid a years tax upfront and I never cancelled it with the bank either. They will still be able to take payment over the phone even though you don’t have your documents with you, just explain that you’ve sent them in for the 50% reduction. You will like I say have to pay the full price then claim the refund back.

I agree with you it’s such a faff having to send all your documentation off, why they can’t do it online or even at the post office I don’t know. Hope you manage to get it sorted. x

[Confused01 in reply to Cockerspaniels2]

Hi,Thanks for your message.

So with yours you paid full year, they didn’t cash your 50% cheque sent in.

Did they return your documents and then you had to request the 50% overpaid or did they automatically refund?

Also how long did it take for documents returned and refund received (presumably refunded to account you paid full year from)?

I swear they make it hard on purpose even when not backlogged. Last time they told me they’d not received my application, then when I pointed out I had signed for delivery proof they miraculously found it within a day!🙄

Doesn’t give me much faith in them.

X

[Cockerspaniels2 in reply to Confused01]

Yes I paid the full year upfront. It took about 6 months to get sorted, but don’t forget this was last year in the height of the pandemic. I had to send them all my documents again, requesting a refund. I then received my documents back and then a couple of days later a cheque arrives for the 50% refund. I’m hoping that it doesn’t take as long this year but was told it would be about six weeks due to Covid and less staff working. Fingers crossed for us both.

Loads of faff for what could be quite a simple process if they allowed you to do it online or at the post office. x

[Nevereasy67]

Hi I paid the full amount to start with then sent in my PIP award letter which they returned advising that a cheque would follow in the post for half - which a did

Keep safe and so sorry that you are suffering from this horrible thing