And when you say the case was dismissed, does that mean it never went to trial? Or it did and you won?
The case was heard at a magistrates court.
The initial allegation was on the basis that I did not hold a licence to drive the vehicle involved. Reading my licence would have clearly shown that I was entitled - it was the green printed type (still valid, not 'old', as the VOSA man described it) and on the front it indicated my entitlement in the form of a code letter, and a key to the codes on the back. The VOSA man refused to read it, and cautioned me. By way of background, my licence carries 'A', which the key explains as 'any vehicle', but on a photocard type licence, 'A' means 'motorcycle'. VOSA unable to comprehend that there are two systems, despite several subsequent phone calls.
When the case was heard in court, a slightly different allegation was made that centred around the vehicle - a passenger carrying one - and whether I was entitled to drive it. However, this allegation could be easily dismissed by reference to an official document produced by DVLA.
The magistrates, feeling their time had been wasted (not helped by the VOSA counsel's attitude I fancy - verbose and pompous, particularly when cornered) dismissed the case and made an award that my legal costs (i.e., my solicitor) should be paid by VOSA. I was told by my solicitor this was not uncommon. In effect, I think that 'case dismissed' means that there was no basis for it to be brought. VOSA do not have to go through the Crown Prosecution Service; if they had, they might have saved taxpayers some money.