I need some advice for a fine and SJP I was issued. To begin with, I did not know about the fine until I was contacted by HR in work to deduct £600 from my pay through an "Attachment of earnings order-fines".
Upon further investigation and hours of calls with the courts and DVLA, I was told the fine was for having an untaxed vehicle and receiving a clamp.
For background: On 11/10/24 I received a clamp on my car for having an untaxed vehicle. at this point i had realized I forgot to tax my car since 01/05/24. This was an honest mistake. On that day I immediately taxed my car (from that date forward), paid the clamping fine (£100) and my car was released. In the following days I also paid debt collectors who were appointed by DVLA for me to pay an £80 fine.
This all began because I did not change my address on the V5C logbook and was not receiving the DVLA mail reminders and fines. However I did update the address on my drivers license and thought that was sufficient.
I asked both the debt collectors and clamp company whether there is anything else I need to do and they advised me that these were the only two fines. At this point I still did not update my V5C because I was barely driving my car and did not see the need. I thought the clamp and taxing issue was fixed.
Fast forward to end of April 2025 where I get contact by HR to deduct money from my salary. Apparently there was another fine to pay and all the letters were going to a previous address, so I wasn't aware the DVLA fine was issued and then it eventually went to court and was ruled over. I only ever received a letter to my current address after the courts found me guilty.
I have always kept my drivers license address up to date. A year ago, before this event DVLA contacted me at my address at the time (different from the previous one on the log book) for a speeding ticket which is now all sorted. So in my mind DVLA knew how to contact me if there was a problem.
I have the chance now to reopen the case and but I'm wondering whether to cut my losses and go? I need advice.
I take responsibility for the period of having an untaxed vehicle and not changing the address on V5C but in my eyes the punishment does not suit the crime as I have now played £780 in total routing from the same stupid mistake. The DVLA has my correct address but is it my fault that the two departments don't talk to each other? My email address and phone number have been the same for decades, in 2025 does DVLA not know how to contact electronically?
