London Low Emissions Zone - help me!!!

[Bogus]

I got a new RED V5 today and the body type is described as " skeletal vehicle" ???

[MadcapMagician]

I got a new RED V5 today and the body type is described as " skeletal vehicle" ???

Er..wtf?

[davidy2980]

Just got my letter back from TFL LEZ saying my surf is now

"not subject to LEZ charge"

I sent all the required paperwork to the DVLA changing my car to an estate they sent back the reply we cant unless you get proof from Toyota head office
etc.......yawn yawn

I contacted TFL LEZ and "opened a case" to review my vehicle which they did and were very polite and helpful i gave them all my details
- 4 weeks later rang them again explaining that my MOT TAX and insurance is due and want to know an outcome asap incase i need to sell the vehicle they said my case is being looked at as we speak - then hey presto a letter arrives telling me i'm in the clear

It is definately worth talking to them direct

I am going to try this as i cannot get any sense from dvla,i have been looking on the tfl lez website but cannot find how to open a case do you have to email them first or is there an actual open a case section that i cannot seem to find

[tavvi]

No need to worry

Although I am in Edinburgh I have been concerned about this because my vehicle is described as a 'light 4x4 utility' and the City of Edinburgh Council are almost as rabid as London when it comes to 4x4 and so I wouldn't be surpised to find Edinburgh being part of a second wave of LEZs.

I gave VOSA a call (they test the vehicle when it arrives in the UK) thinking that they might have been responsible for the categorisation - perhaps using the model docs supplied by Toyota. This is not the case - apparently there is nothing in any of the docs that are used when dealing with Surf imports that gives this description - it is entirely down to someone at DVLA.

However, I was transferred to someone in VOSA who deals with Transport for London / LEZ and they fixed the issue in 10 minutes!
Apparently they (VOSA) have given up trying to get DVLA to treat Hilux Surf's as estates and to get the registrations changed accordingly - they have met the same intransigence that we have. They are currently working with TfL to try to get them to treat Hilux Surfs as exempt as a class of vehicle. In fact if I understood the lady correctly they are having the same issue with Pajeros.

I forwarded photos of my vehicle to her and she contacted TfL on my behalf and phoned me back 10 minutes later saying that the LEZ details will be updated at the start of next week to show that my vehicle is exempt.

She also advised that the process for other owners should be to take photos of their vehicle - especially the rear which shows 'Hilux Surf' as the model name and send this with a copy of your V5 to TfL using the registration form from their website. At the moment TfL will only deal with this on a case by case basis.

Edit
LEZ vehicle registration page:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/17702.aspx
End of Edit

However, if anyone has difficulty using the TfL process they are free to call her (Anne-Marie) or her colleague (Lynn) at VOSA on 01792-454363 and they will sort it out.

Edit
NB Please only use this number if you have already tried using the TfL process and been knocked back. This should not be the case going forward since TfL are apparently now aware of the Surf as a 'class' of vehicle.
End of Edit

Incredibly helpful and friendly lady (what a refreshing experience).

If anyone sees the need to call them please remember that they are on our side so don't take out any (understandable) pent up frustrations on them.

[tavvi]

PS the lady at VOSA was also very confident that if 'Transport for Other UK Cities' came into existence and introduced other low emission zones, they would not reinvent the wheel and try to create their own database - they would use the TfL database. So may be worth doing what I did for the sake of future proofing (or to preserve resale value).

[Diezel Weazel]

Copy of a letter I emailed to my MP Mike Penning MP.
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT

Dear Mike Penning,

Hi my names Jess, and I along with others "Surf" owners of Toyota "Import" brand of Estate Car namely a Toyota Hilux Surf) (also know as Toyota Forerunner elsewhere in the world.)
Website here .....www.hiluxsurf.co.uk
Thread here..... http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73379

Differing amounts of owners have had letters from Tfl referring to the L E Zone in 2012 (myself included, "I mean 120 seats" on my V5 (now rectified, only 5 seats) and a new V5 thankfully and my vehicle an "Estate" still Non-compliant according to the (Tfl website). LEZ doesn't include Cars and Motorcyles.

Some Toyota Hilux Surfs will be Non compliant come Jan/Feb 2012 ( and should be) but due to various mix ups on import eg: 4x4 or LUV (Light Utillity Vehicle) or as my "highlighted" error by the DVLA, owners are having difficulties understanding why they have received a Tfl Non-compliant notice when there is much confusion and/or complications at DVLA understanding the criteria.

All Toyota Hilux Surf Imports should be compliant as are Forerunners, Landrover Discovery's and Range Rovers as opposed to the Latest New Generation of Toyota Hilux Surf "Pickups"
I understand in order for Tfl to notify who is/isn't compliant come the LEZ day DVLA are requested to supply them ( Tfl ) the Vehicle data information they hold regarding compliant and non-compliant Vehicles through VIN no's and Registration Numbers ...
Now that doesn't seem a hard task does it ? after all that's what there paid for, and if they don't know their job they shouldn't be there !!

I wonder if I may request your help in simplifying the task with clarity and the utmost urgency.

Yours Respectfully

Jess

[MadcapMagician]

However, if anyone has difficulty using the TfL process they are free to call her (Anne-Marie) or her colleague (Lynn) at VOSA and they will sort it out.

Edit
NB Please only use this number if you have already tried using the TfL process and been knocked back. This should not be the case going forward since TfL are apparently now aware of the Surf as a 'class' of vehicle.
End of Edit

Incredibly helpful and friendly lady (what a refreshing experience).

Blimey! She's amazing! As I have already been knocked back by TfL, she's going to sort it all out for me. She's asked me to tell everyone that as of 2 days ago, TfL are fully aware of the Surf/Pajero/Bongo situation (no, it's not just us!) and will amend car details accordingly on receipt of three things:

1 - A completed form from the TfL website;
2 - Your V5C;
3 - At least 3 photos of your Surf, which MUST include a photo of the Surf badge on the boot door.

In the meantime, now that the pressure's off, I'm going to constantly and repeatedly send my V5C back to DVLA until it's correct down to every detail. Whilst they have amended it, they've done it wrong! Besides the LUV bit, they have the make recorded as Toyota Hi-Lux Surf (with the hyphen, yes).....rather then the make as Toyota and the model as Hilux Surf...ineptitude abounds!

[flounderbout]

Though it doesn't affect me, this Anne Marie sounds like a rare breed - a friendly and helpful bureaucrat who gets results? Shurely shome mistake?
Sounds like she may be able to sort out lots of people's issues pretty quickly and easily.
Anyone else thinks we should send her a bottle of plonk or two from the forum? I'd chip in...

[TonyN]

Good news, good idea H, at very least send her a nice email thanking her.

[tavvi]

Good news, good idea H, at very least send her a nice email thanking her.

I'll send her an email on behalf of all forum members (if that's ok) and post a copy of it here.

Remember though that her number should only be used as a last resort, i.e. if and when the TfL process fails (which shouldn't happen anymore). If her and her colleague get bombarded with requests for assistance they may very quickly lose their sympathy - and having another government agency on our side is clearly something to be valued.

[Diezel Weazel]

Though it doesn't affect me, this Anne Marie sounds like a rare breed - a friendly and helpful bureaucrat who gets results? Shurely shome mistake?
Sounds like she may be able to sort out lots of people's issues pretty quickly and easily.
Anyone else thinks we should send her a bottle of plonk or two from the forum? I'd chip in...

Nice one Henry, n not forgetting a box of Choccies o' course
Sounds like everything's coming up "roses" n somebody really knows their job !!

I'll send her an email on behalf of all forum members (if that's ok) and post a copy of it here.

Remember though that her number should only be used as a last resort, i.e. if and when the TfL process fails (which shouldn't happen anymore). If her and her colleague get bombarded with requests for assistance they may very quickly lose their sympathy - and having another government agency on our side is clearly something to be valued.

Like ya style David

[Rustinho]

Though it doesn't affect me, this Anne Marie sounds like a rare breed - a friendly and helpful bureaucrat who gets results? Shurely shome mistake?
Sounds like she may be able to sort out lots of people's issues pretty quickly and easily.
Anyone else thinks we should send her a bottle of plonk or two from the forum? I'd chip in...

Sounds like a good plan to me.

[tavvi]

Just sent this email off:


---------------------------------------
Dear Anne-Marie,

I am writing to you on behalf of the members of the UK Toyota Hilux Surf forum (www.hilux.surf.co.uk).

Yesterday I had the pleasure of corresponding with you during which correspondence you resolved my issue with Transport for London who had incorrectly classed my vehicle as being affected by the LEZ. Since then I understand that you have also assisted at least one other forum member who had until now suffered considerable frustration in this matter.

Such has been the relief of forum members to finally seeing some progress on this issue that I have been asked to write to thank you for your help.

Until now many members have suffered very considerable frustration at the hands of Toyota UK, TfL and, especially, DVLA whose rigid processes have typically resulted in a steadfast refusal to amend V5 details to reflect the vehicle's status as a passenger vehicle. It had got to the point where many members felt that they might have to sell their vehicles (probably at reduced values) since the cost of fitting an LEZ compliant filter would be approximately £3000.

To have moved from that position to one where there is another government agency which not only fully understands our situation but has promoted our case with TfL, quickly and effectively, has been a source of enormous relief to forum members and is entirely due to you. Not only have you been able to provide this assistance but you have done so with a very high standard of friendliness and courtesy - qualities which are all too rare nowadays - especially within government agencies.

Many thanks for your assistance, support and especially your good nature. If only all customer service experiences were like this!

Kind Regards,

David.

PS It has been made clear to forum members that you should only be contacted as a last resort, i.e. should the TfL registration process described by you fail - which should no longer happen. If you find that you are being contacted more frequently than is necessary by Hilux Surf owners please drop me a line and I will post a message on the forum to reinforce the correct process.

--------------------------------------

I'll root around for an address should we decide to follow up with a gift.

[MadcapMagician]

Yup, perfect.

[Rustinho]

Yup, perfect.

Apart from the forum link being wrong! lol