The DVLA says it has stepped up its enforcement activities designed to collect vehicle tax and warns that non-payers ultimately risk losing their vehicles.
The good news for those who do pay is that the agency says its use of fines and penalties, stickers, wheel clamping and communications designed to change behaviour, are having a positive effect in combating tax evasion.
“If you’re caught without tax, it’s expensive, inconvenient and just not worth it,” says Elaine Rees in a blog. “When DVLA clamps an untaxed vehicle the motorist is charged a £100 release fee. If they cannot show the vehicle has been taxed when it’s released, the motorist will have to pay a surety fee of £160. This is refunded if the motorist can show the vehicle has been taxed within 15 days.
“If the release fee’s not paid within 24 hours, DVLA impounds the vehicle and the fee rises to £200. There’s also a storage charge of £21 per day. Again, a surety fee of £160 must be paid if the motorist cannot show that the vehicle’s been taxed.
“Motorists who choose to evade tax take a very real risk of losing their cars, as well as the potential of multiple financial penalties.”
The worst offending areas are below:
| Area | Clamped | Fines or penalties | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 27,605 | 94,550 | 122,155 |
| Northern Ireland | 5,516 | 67,944 | 73,460 |
| Birmingham | 5,076 | 50,045 | 55,121 |
| Manchester | 7,573 | 26,214 | 33,787 |
| Glasgow | 2,666 | 29,705 | 32,371 |
| Sheffield | 3,987 | 25,291 | 29,278 |
| Cardiff | 3,021 | 24,598 | 27,619 |
| Nottingham | 3,507 | 21,346 | 24,853 |
| Bristol | 3,496 | 20,412 | 23,908 |
| Leicester | 3,344 | 19,196 | 22,540 |
| Coventry | 1,257 | 18,193 | 19,450 |
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