DVLA officials are heading around the UK identifying tax evaders using special automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and then issuing penalties. The DVLA has revealed 20 regions where their enforcement teams will be hunting down lawbreakers in 2020 so motorists can ensure they secure their car tax and car insurance policies ahead of time.
READ MORE
-
DVLA car tax is highest in this UK region
Where are the DVLA going to enforce car tax rules?
Speaking to Express.co.uk, a DVLA spokesperson confirmed officials would be heading across the whole of the UK to take enforcement action.
They said the group’s enforcement teams are out across the UK every day in a warning to motorists to ensure they are protected.
However, the DVLA has also revealed a list of the 20 top offending locations for tax evasion across the UK.
In a statement, the DVLA admitted they would be targeting these 20 regions where car tax was higher so motorists can expect multiple crews to be sent to these regions across the year.
The agency confirmed almost 590,000 enforcement actions were taken across the 20 regions in 2019 alone.
Where are the 20 regions the DVLA will be targeting?
Belfast was the highest region for tax evasion in 2019 with 78,501 enforcement actions taken against road users.
Birmingham was the second-highest region but was still almost 17,000 offences lower than the total seen in Belfast as 61,531 enforcement actions were taken.
Manchester and Glasgow each saw over 34,000 offences recorded in 2019 while Sheffield also saw over 30,000 enforcement actions taken.
Other high offending regions include capital cities of Cardiff and Edinburgh as well as parts of East, North and South London.
Eastern towns of Northampton and Peterborough were also in the top 20 while Coventry, Doncaster, Newcastle, Nottingham and Bristol were other regions which made the final list.
DON’T MISS
Car tax evasion doubles since tax discs abolished [ANALYSIS]
This car tax mistake could see your car clamped [COMMENT]
Your car insurance could be invalidated if you forget MOT or tax [ADVICE]
The full list of 20 regions the DVLA are tracking car tax evaders
- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Coventry
- Doncaster
- East London
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Leicester
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Northampton
- North London
- Nottingham
- Peterborough
- Romford
- Sheffield
- South London
- Swansea
READ MORE
- Motorists could have their car seized today with car tax error
How can I tell when the DVLA are coming to my town?
Motorists can check which cities are being checked by DVLA enforcement teams on social media.
The agency releases updates on where offenders vehicles are being clamped or seized while pictures and videos are often released afterwards showing their work up close.
In February alone, DVLA crews have visited a range of cities on the list including Coventry, Peterborough and Doncaster.
However, with DVLA experts confirming enforcement crews are out every day, the social media updates are not an exhaustive list of where their teams actually visit.
Why is the DVLA hunting down tax evaders?
Tax evasion is against the law and those found guilty of committing the offence will be issued penalties or have their car seized
It is predicted the Treasury has lost £281million since 2014 in lost car tax fees due to motorists forgetting or avoiding paying online.
Data has revealed the Department for Transport lost an estimated £94million on revenue last year alone, although the agency warned some of this could have since been recovered through enforcement.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “While the vast majority of motorists abide by the law and tax their vehicles correctly, high-profile enforcement campaigns like this are needed to make sure the consequences of not doing so are fully understood.
“This DVLA campaign gives a very clear warning of the action that will be taken on untaxed vehicles. Having your vehicle clamped is expensive and inconvenient so it’s far simpler to make sure you tax it.”
How to avoid car tax fines
Road users can avoid being caught by DVLA enforcement teams by making sure their car tax and insurance bills are up to date.
Motorists can check whether their car tax is up to date through the GOV.UK online vehicle checker.
Road users simply need to not their number plate into the online tool to find information on their car tax and MOT.
Source: Read Full Article