Daves Blog

I wasn’t happy with the information from the DVLA about not being allowed to ride to a DVLA inspection and so some time ago I sent them an email querying this. Today, I received their response…

“Thank you for your e-mail requesting clarification about driving an unregistered imported vehicle. I am sorry that you found the information in our letter misleading.

It may be helpful if I start by explaining that the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (as amended) (VERA) contains the primary legislation for vehicle registration and licensing in the United Kingdom. VERA requires that a vehicle display a valid tax disc at all times while it is being used or kept on a public road.

A vehicle is exempt from licensing when it is being submitted for a compulsory test, a vehicle identity check, a vehicle weight test or a reduced pollution test. It may be used on the road without a vehicle licence in order to drive it to and from a testing station provided that the test has been booked in advance.

VERA does not contain an exemption from licensing to allow for a vehicle to be driven to and from a DVLA local office for a vehicle inspection. As a result, DVLA recommends that vehicles be transported rather driven to an inspection.

I trust that my reply explains the position and I can assure you that the next time this letter is reviewed, your comments will be taken into consideration.”

To me this response has just added to the confusion as it seems contradictory. First, the paragraph:

A vehicle is exempt from licensing when it is being submitted for a compulsory test, a vehicle identity check, a vehicle weight test or a reduced pollution test. It may be used on the road without a vehicle licence in order to drive it to and from a testing station provided that the test has been booked in advance.

To me that makes it very clear that it is absolutely legal to ride to the DVLA inspection. What is the DVLA inspection if it isn’t a vehicle identity check? Afterall, all they did was check the VIN and Engine numbers to ensure they matched those written on the paperwork. OK, they’re also checking it is new, as declared, but to me it still falls within a vehicle identity check. However, they effectively refute this with the statement:

VERA does not contain an exemption from licensing to allow for a vehicle to be driven to and from a DVLA local office for a vehicle inspection.

I suppose it’s the distinction between a vehicle identity check and a vehicle inspection that is crucial here but I’m not convinced they’re interpreting the law correctly.

I’m not sure where this is going, if anywhere, or even if I will pursue it further, but I thought that information might be of interest.

Headstocks Transport turned up early! Now that really impressed me and gave me a good feeling for the rest of the day. Nothing was too much trouble for them. We loaded the bike securely in their van and then set off the DVLA in Bristol. We arrived at least an hour and a half ahead of my appointed time, but when I let them know we were there, they said they’d do the inspection as soon as possible. I had to wait about 30 minutes for a previous inspection to be completed but then the inspector was straight onto my bike.

The inspection took all of about 15 minutes and all he really did was to check that the VIN and engine numbers were as written on all the forms I originally gave them. I could hardly contain my excitment when the inspector asked if I wanted to wait for the paperwork and road fund licence. I should mention here that the man from Headstocks was more than co-operative. His attitude was that I’d booked him and his van for the day and he’d do whatever I wanted - great company.

I had to wait about another 30 minutes but then my name was called and I was given my registration number, road fund disc and a form giving me the authority to purchase a number plate.

On arriving home about an hour and a half later and having got the bike unloaded and back into the garage, I immediately set about finding someone who would make me a plate. That proved to be an interesting experience in itself and it’s amazing how many suppliers don’t even understand the law.

According to the DVLA web site all I need is the authorisation form and a single form of identity but nearly everywhere I called said I needed my driving licence and utility bills to prove my address. Worse still, I struggled to find somewhere to make a plate today - incredible. Eventually though I found a company in Devizes and off I went, all paperwork in hand. They still made me wait an hour for the plate but eventually I was back home and plate fitted. Yeeee haaaaa.

As soon as Meike got home from work it was on with the bike gear and off on its maiden voyage…

It was wonderful. Absolutely everything I was hoping and waiting for. Everything worked and what’s more I’d never felt so secure on a bike. It’s handling is simply superb and for such a heavy and big bike, truly amazing.

I’m going to have to play around with the screen height and things as there is a little buffeting but it’s nothing that concerns me. We were out for about two hours in all and I could have stayed out even longer if I hadn’t had work calls to attend to. I am so happy.

After a few days of web searching, phone calls and other investigations I’ve booked the services of a professional motorcycle moving company. It’s certainly not cheap, and they’re travelling from Norfolk to come and help me, but they appear to know what they’re doing and above anything else they sound as though they’ll really care. That’s the bit the really matters - that they care about my bike as if it were their own. I hope the reality lives up to the expectations. My beautiful Goldwing continues to sit in the garage and shout at me that it wants to be ridden. This really is a very frustrating experience all round.

I really don’t know what to do about getting the bike to the DVLA. Meike and I own a Frontera with a tow bar fitted and I’ve towed anything up to an 18 foot caravan before but I’m really not sure I want to tow the bike. It’s not the towing that worries me but rather securing the bike to the trailer. I’ve never done that before and I really don’t fancy experimenting with my new pride and joy. So what’s the alternative? Well, I guess the only real alternative is to find someone who can transport it there either on a trailer or preferably in the back of a big enough van. At least that way I might find someone who knows what they’re doing and get the bike there and back in one piece.

On a happier note the service manual arrived from Joe in the US today. Wow… I haven’t counted all the pages but it is absolutely complete. Not only is the service manual on the CD but also the electical trouble shooting guide and lots of other useful documents such as a full parts list. This will prove to be invaluable as I keep and work on the bike.

I’m not happy… I received a letter from the DVLA this morning with the appointment for the Goldwing’s inspection - 8th August! A whole two weeks away. The weather is gorgeous and here I am with a brand new Goldwing stuck in my garage and I can’t ride it anywhere because the DVLA decided not to believe what I’d written on some forms. OK, maybe that’s not accurate but it’s how I feel. Bureaucracy gone mad because we all have to pay the price forced on us by the criminals who constantly attempt to cheat and defraud us.

Having said all that, the letter itself is obnoxious. The key points are as follows:

1. The appointment given is the earliest one available. In other words, don’t bother contacting us to plead for an earlier appointment because we’re not going to give you one.

2. Home visits can be arranged but these typically take up to six weeks!!!

3. In the small print on the back of the letter there is some legal stuff that basically translates to: It is illegal to ride your unlicenced motorcycle to a DVLA inspection and any vehicles brought by illegal means will not be inspected and the police will be informed. Lovely.

So what this means, if I don’t want to take any risks or suffer any further delays, is that I have to find other means to get my Goldwing there for the inspection. I have no idea how I’ll do this. Oh what fun.

I made sure I had all the paperwork and left home at 6.00am to be at the DVLA office in Bristol for opening time. As it was I had to wait an hour for the offices to open and even then there was one guy in front of me. Still, ticket number 2 wasn’t bad.

I handed all the paperwork over to the nice lady and she started to look at it, stamp it, fill in bits etc. Then she handed back to me the certificate of newness - a form completed by the importer to declare the bike was new at import. It’s not dated she said. I thought the bottom was falling out of my world, but she said it was OK to phone and get the date - phew. Fortunately the importing dealers details and phone number were stamped on the form - Bill Smith Motors in Chester. I called them, explained who I am and what I wanted then got passed to someone else who blurted out 1st Jan. To be honest I don’t think they really knew but it too late as Ms. DVLA had heard them. She handed me a pen to write the date on the form.

On taking the form back from me she then said “seeing as the vehicle was imported over six months ago we will probably want to inspect it before issuing the licence”. I asked why she couldn’t have told me that before, but she was too pleased with herself on catching me out to even care. Can I ride it to an inspection I asked and she said no. So I asked if they’d come to my house to inspect it and she said yes home visits were possible. How long will it all take I asked and she said usually about a week.

I paid the money for the first registration and left feeling more than a little disappointed. How long is my new bike going to have to sit in my garage before I can ride it?