Latest proof that I’m failing at life.

[biggirlknickers]

Pathetic whinge alert.

I moved house almost 2 years ago.

Today I discovered that I never told the DVLA my new address.

I have a driving in the bus lane PCN from 4 months ago that I’ve only just found out about. The fine has doubled in size and they are about to send in bailiffs. All because I didn’t change my stupid address. And because apparently I drove in a bus lane which I certainly don’t remember and would be out of character (but I guess I must have done it 🤷🏻‍♀️)

I can’t afford this fine and I feel really stupid.

To get to my mid forties, have a responsible job and children who rely on me, yet do something stupid like that.

I can’t imagine anyone in my perfect family doing this. Proving to myself how useless I really am.

Tell me your latest proof that you’re failing at life and make me feel less alone in my stupidity please.

(Should have said copy of most recent council tax bill which shows you were not living at the address your PCN was sent to). Then make sure you get everything updated with the DVLA so it can’t happen again. Good luck x

Don’t feel so bad. The same thing happened to me and was over $1000.... well over $1000.

My license was cancelled, it was transferred to public prosecutions office. It was a massive drama.

It followed a period wherein I had left an abusive relationship. That person destroyed the fines so I couldn’t even pay them and then I was living with family for a while. Essentially, I was homeless.

I put everything on my credit card.

These things happen. I think revenue raising is just another disgusting tax on the public.

It happens to people I know, too. Don’t let it get you down.

If you know which road it is, go and check the signage before paying anything. DH challenged one he got as there was actually no bus lane sign up, so the city council were not able to pursue it

Admit nothing about the address and quietly pay the fine. It certainly can be a £1k fine for not changing the address.

98 quid is certainly better than £1098!!

OP I did something very similar a few years ago, but received not one but 4 speeding fines. It was on my route into work where they had just introduced average speed cameras. I thought I was going to get a bloody driving ban. Luckily had no other points on my licence and was able to do a speed awareness course.

What an idiot.

@Littlegoth the OP moved nearly two years ago. They didn't get the penalty notice because they didn't notify them. There is no way they will get off with it.

@exWifebeginsAgainat46 yes you must inform them. How else would they know where you live?

Things I have done from this thread:
Forgotten an MOT for months
Missed renewing the contents insurance
Worn mismatched heels
Just realised I moved in May and not updated dvla 😱

But I’m human and I’m most certainly not failing at life - I’m doing Bloody Good Job actually. As are you 💐

They didn’t ask me when I moved. You don’t include it on the forms, and The TEC advised me to simply put:

I moved house and did not receive my post.

And to provide proof of my address.

They are not interested in giving extortionate fines to people who forget to update their details. It happens a lot.

Forget to insure/tax your car too then that’s a different story.

Just pay the £98 quickly op, then change the bloody address. It could have been a wholse lot worse. Is anything else wrong or just this?

I laundered ds's passport 2.5 weeks before a trip to south america during the passport office crisis. That was close.

Some tips for people

Check online if your tax and MOT are up to date vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk

Check your car insurance online. ownvehicle.askmid.com

Change your drivers license DVLA registered address online www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence

Change your registered keeper (V5) address online www.gov.uk/change-name-address-v5c

For £39 you can set up postal redirection when you move house. That way, when you get mail with one of the redirection stickers on it, you know it's something you forgot to change address on.

@biggirlknickers 〜 OK, I'll list mine, too - but I'm still tallying them up! It's gonna take a while! 😂

@DisappearingGirl 〜 Oh my, that sounds like a scene out of a sitcom tv show! 😂 Well, at least you saw it the day before it was due, rather than the day after!

@NightOwl27 〜 OMG - I'm absolutely mortified for you. This would be just like something that would happen to me. I hope it will turn out OK for you. Just try to keep a sense of humour about it, if at all possible!

I once had a library fine of £142. A LIBRARY FINE.

I've had 2 parking tickets in a year and let them both go over the 14 days so I had to pay double.

I am shit at this sort of thing. What can you do? Are you thinking you'll have to take out a payday loan or something hideous (please don't?)

As per the advice on here, I’m going to see if they will reduce it to the original fine.

If that doesn’t work, my lovely DPartner has said he will cover it until I get paid.

Thank you so much everyone for your wise words, advice and similar stories.

I do have a tendency to over berate myself for this sort of stuff. I think it comes from being the youngest of a family of ridiculously competent and careful people

I had the same happen to me with a council parking ticket. Phoned council and apologised and they took it back to the original fee so it's definitely possible to get it reduced.
Good luck OP!