Press release 35: DVLA delivers extra warning to vehicle tax evaders

DVLA launches a new vehicle tax reminder initiative this month to warn motorists that they will be caught if they fail to tax their vehicle on time.

As part of its tough crack down on vehicle tax evaders, DVLA has joined forces with motor cycle couriers nation-wide to spread the message out on the street, that there’s no escaping the DVLA computer. Motorists who do not have up-to-date vehicle tax will be found out, will face a penalty and run the risk of having their vehicle taken away and even crushed.

During September, Lewis Day Couriers across Britain will be wearing high-visibility vests, bearing the words "Tax your vehicle. There’s no hiding place." The message echoes the current national advertising campaign and the vests are designed to act as an on-road reminder to motorists to keep their vehicle tax up-to-date.

This latest activity is an extension of DVLA’s tough, no-nonsense efforts to crack down on vehicle tax evaders, which include a new partnership with NCP to double to 100,000 the number of untaxed vehicles clamped every year. NCP is using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) vans throughout the country to check vehicle number plates against the DVLA database of untaxed vehicles. Untaxed vehicles are then clamped and those not claimed within seven days can be disposed of by crushing.

By targeting untaxed vehicles, DVLA aims to make roads safer and also help reduce vehicle crime. Because vehicle tax can only be purchased with a valid MOT and insurance certificate, reducing the number of untaxed vehicles also reduces the number of uninsured and potentially un-roadworthy vehicles on our roads.

 Occupants of untaxed cars are more likely to be linked with other criminal activity such as drugs, anti-social behaviour, burglary and violent crime. By taking their vehicles, criminals are being denied the use of the road.

Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said "This latest initiative is designed to drive our zero-tolerance message right to the heart of Britain’s roads and complement our existing on-road enforcement measures. It’s important for evaders to be aware that they will get caught, and there is no escaping the consequences when they do."

Derek Orglog, from Lewis Day Couriers, said "We’re pleased to be working with DVLA on this campaign. Our drivers need to be safe on the roads, so we welcome the opportunity to broadcast this message to motorists across the country. We are confident the vests will remind motorists to update their tax on time and not risk dodging their tax."

Notes to editors:

1. The results of the 2005 Roadside Survey revealed that there are an estimated 1.55 million unlicensed vehicles in Great Britain.

    

2. NCP has been awarded a three-year wheelclamping contract with DVLA, effective from 1 May 2006.

    

3. For clamped vehicles the release penalties are high, £80. In addition, a valid tax disc must be produced. If a tax disc cannot be produced, a surety (£120 for a car or motorcycle, up to £600 for other vehicles) must be paid before the vehicle can be released. The surety payment is forfeited if a valid tax disc is not produced within two weeks.

    

4. The new vehicle tax rules that were introduced in January 2004 allow DVLA to identify untaxed vehicles from its records and to issue automatic £80 penalties (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days). The new rules also make the registered keeper responsible for taxing the vehicle or telling DVLA that it is being kept off road by making a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) or has been sold, scrapped or exported.

    

For press enquiries re this notice please contact:Ruth Thomas or Karen Jason

020 7025 6500

Ruth.thomas@reduconsultancy.com or Karen.jason@redconsultancy.com

For other DVLA related queries please contact:

DVLA press office

01792 782318

press.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk