The DVLA has urged road users to remember to renew their car tax policy, with motorists told to “do it now” if they have forgotten. Road users can update their Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) tax details online whenever they like with the system up 24/7.
However, thousands are often travelling without a valid tax agreement in place, which could backfire and see individuals slapped with penalties.
The DVLA posted on X: “You can tax your vehicle online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on http://gov.uk/dvla/tax. Do it now. #TaxItDontRiskIt #DVLADigital”
Previous data from the Department for Transport revealed that as many as 498,000 registered vehicles had not paid their VED rates. This would account for one in every 83 vehicles on the road evading the mandatory charge. Road users must ensure their car is still legally taxed with the DVLA even if their vehicle is exempt from fees, for example, under historic tax exemption rules.
Motorists not currently using their vehicles also do not need to pay charges, ut must apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) and store their cars off the public road. The RAC previously explained that penalties for road tax evasion were set by the e Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (VERA).
Under the rules, the DVLA system will automatically flag a vehicle as being untaxed, which will trigger an automated late licensing penalty letter. This will usually be a fine of £80 and a 50% discount will usually apply if the charge is paid within 23 days.
However, failure to pay the charge may result in the case being referred to a debt collection agency, which could add to motorists' bills. The RAC warned that the real problem comes when motorists continue to drive their car without having paid their tax bill.
They explained: “If you are caught using an untaxed vehicle on a public road without a SORN then an out of court settlement letter will be issued. The fine is £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax. If not paid, as a criminal offence. the case may be followed through the magistrates’ court where the penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.”
