Unable to tax car - advice needed

Jon writes:

"I recently bought a car with 3 month tax left on it. The previous seller did post the V5 off to the DVLA (I saw him do it so I know he's not lying ).

Then the weekend before last I suddenly noticed my tax was due for renewal at the end of Feb. I'd had no reminders so I called DVLA and they had no record of me owning the car - they'd never received the V5 apparantly.

I gave them the benefit of the doubt, as post does get lost. So I sent off at their request the small slip from the V5 that shows I'm the owner, my original insurance certificate and payment for 6 months tax. I sent it via recorded delivery and it arrived with the local office last Tuesday, 1 week ago.

I've been calling up every day since Friday asking for status and it seems they've lost it. First they tried to say they never received it, so I gave them the proof of delivery reference. Now they say they're sure it's 'here somewhere' and will call me back once they have it. However it's me chasing them and I never have an update!

Couple of Questions:
1. Is the 14 day 'grace' period true or a myth? Can I drive my car?
2. What do I do if the DVLA have lost my letter. Not only do I not have tax, but I don't have my insurance certificate or slip from V5 so how can I prove I ever bought the car?

Any advice would be appreciated as I'm due to travel with business on Thursday and Friday. It'll be most annoying - and expensive! If I have to get trains everywhere."

Conniff replies:-

"It is a myth, but in your case, you have them on the back foot. If you should get a 'not displaying' ticket, they will have to wipe it out.

Probably as high as 99% of all claims that people haven't sent SORN requests etc; are a total fabrication, just lies to criminally extract money from the public.

I think I would send them another letter, recorded of course, giving them 5 days to send you a tax disc and return the other bits."

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