Car off road - motor tax arrears

Hello

So I got a car 5-6 months back. I'm only learning to drive and haven't driven this car once yet and it's been in private parking since Feb, it was taxed til March.

Stupidly, I didn't realise that I'd have to declare it off road in advance of it being out of action if I wasn't to tax it again until I was going to drive it. I had assumed it would be a case of taxing it when I'm looking to go back on the road and just picking it up from there in a pay as you go type scenario (I know).

Now, to get it taxed and on the road I need to pay the arrears.

Is there any genuine scope to avoid paying the arrears for the months it was off road? Is there any leniency with the motor tax office on this if I explain the situation? I've had to email them as the phone line isn't in action right now, but already waiting days on a response.