The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has reminded drivers that it is a legal requirement to make sure that your vehicle is correctly taxed, giving an urgent warning to motorists
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has issued a stern warning to motorists, reminding them of the importance of paying their vehicle tax.
The agency took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to remind drivers to ensure their vehicles are correctly taxed. They emphasised that while their road tax service is easy and secure to use, it’s nearly impossible to keep an untaxed car hidden on the roads.
Despite seeming like a minor issue, government studies estimate around 719,000 unlicensed vehicles nationwide, resulting in a loss of £119 million in vehicle tax revenue. This money typically goes towards local council budgets, services, and road network improvements. Driving or parking an untaxed vehicle on public roads is a serious offence, with the DVLA having the power to impose various penalties.
These include clamping untaxed vehicles and charging a £100 penalty fee for removal, and hefty fines for those who haven’t paid their road tax. Depending on the vehicle, this could be a fixed fine of £1,000 or five times the cost of the road tax, whichever is higher. To ensure drivers don’t forget to renew their vehicle tax, the DVLA sends out both postal reminders and emails ahead of the current expiry date, reports the Express.
Motorists can then head over to the DVLA’s website to pay for either six or 12 months of vehicle tax, which will kick in once the existing tax expires. Drivers also have the option to set up a Direct Debit service, either online or at a Post Office, which will automatically take care of the vehicle tax whenever it’s due.
Interestingly, there are several cars on the roads that are exempt from paying vehicle tax, but they still need to be registered with the DVLA to avoid penalties. This includes electric vehicles, which are exempt from vehicle tax until 2025, models under a disability exemption, and classic cars that are over 40 years old.
Even in these cases, the driver will receive a letter from the DVLA and will need to register the vehicle for free on their website.
