Drivers who lose four documents face £1,000 fine from DVLA

Drivers have been warned to keep four documents up to date or face £1,000 DVLA fines. Motorists must ensure the address is up to date on their driving licence, their vehicle log book, their direct debit for vehicle tax, and private number plate documents.

Motor Match has warned this is "not just a matter of compliance". You might be able to appeal a fine that you got for not taxing or insuring your vehicle or not telling DVLA you no longer have the vehicle. You can appeal to DVLA if you have proof that you taxed your vehicle, had insurance for your vehicle or already told DVLA you’re no longer the vehicle’s keeper.

Your proof (for example, an acknowledgement letter from DVLA) must be dated before the offence. You cannot appeal if you changed your address but did not tell DVLA, lost your paperwork or you never received a reminder from DVLA, forgot or were away when you had to tax, insure or register your vehicle as off the road (SORN) or missed a Direct Debit payment because of a problem with your bank.

READ MORE Drivers refunded after being 'wrongly charged' due to camera position

You must pay the fine as soon as possible if you do not have a valid reason. You can pay online for vehicle tax and SORN fines, but you must pay all other fines by phone or post. Your letter will tell you how to pay. If you do not pay the fine your vehicle could be clamped or crushed, your details passed to a debt collection agency, or you could be taken to court.

The letter you got from DVLA saying you’ve been fined will tell you how to appeal and how long you have. If you’ve lost your letter you can appeal by writing to DVLA: DVLA Enforcement Centre, D12, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AH. You must include your vehicle’s registration number.

DVLA will contact you after they’ve got your appeal to tell you what will happen next.