Thousands of motorists every month are unknowingly breaking the new road tax laws and having their vehicles clamped and towed away by the DVLA.
Recent figures have shown that the number of cars being clamped and seized by the DVLA has dramatically risen since October, when paper tax discs were scrapped and the new vehicle tax system was introduced.
Prior to October of last year, the DVLA were clamping approximately 5,000 cars every month. Recently this number has soared to over 8,000 seizures every month. Drivers are also being stung with fines of up to £800 for failing to keep up with changes in road tax rules.
Nearly everybody knows that paper tax discs are no longer used but a lot of people are not fully aware of exactly what changes were brought into effect last year.
In the past, any remaining months of road tax could be “sold” along with a vehicle. This meant that you could buy a car and that the tax disc purchased by the previous owner would still be valid until it’s expiry date.
Now, however, vehicle excise duty is cancelled automatically by the DVLA and the new owner must immediately tax their car. This means that many motorists are driving their newly purchased vehicles without any tax in place as they are not fully aware of the new rules.
Overlooking this part of the new rules is why we are seeing such a sharp rise in DVLA clampings and fines in recent months. Motorists that have had their vehicles clamped or been fined are unable to appeal against any action taken by the DVLA which many people are claiming is unfair practise.
If your vehicle has been taken to a compound you may need an impounded car insurance policy to be able to collect it. Most policies do not include insurance for impounded vehicles.
The DVLA have said that they have done everything they can to make motorists and motor traders aware of the new rules and that the changes were explained as simply as possible.
Make sure that you stay on the right side of the law by always ensuring that your vehicle tax is up to date. With the new direct debit option, where you can pay your road tax monthly, 6 monthly or yearly it is much easier to ensure that you are always covered. If you are planning to purchase a used car, be mindful that you will need to tax it immediately and that any tax the previous owner had paid for will no longer be valid.
If you need to collect an impounded car contact us today to arrange your seized car insurance quote.
