The DVLA has issued a fresh urgent message to motorists with the news affecting almost every driver in the UK. Posting on social media site X, the DVLA said road users must pay their car tax bills on time to stay out of trouble.
Motorists who refuse to pay or forget about their road tax bill will likely be hit with penalties. These can involve substantial fines, while officials also have the power to clamp and seize cars that are not following the rules. Some drivers will pay their road tax on a monthly or three-monthly basis making it easier to remember.
However, many will only pay up once every calendar year, making the anniversary easy to slip by without getting a renewal sorted.
The message on X read: “Remember to pay your vehicle tax before it runs out. Do it online at: http://gov.uk/dvla/tax. “#TaxItDontRiskIt #DVLADigital.”
AutoTrader, the leading new and used car marketplace, has explainedthat motorists will usually pay their road tax at the same time every year.
They said: “Car tax needs renewal annually. You should make the payment within one year of the date you made the last car tax payment. You’re also allowed to make the payment up to two months prior to the expiry date in case you’re travelling or not around that time.
“For example: If the last car tax payment you made was on 1 July 2023, you must renew your car tax in June 2024 before it expires on 1 July 2024.
“You can also make the payment as early as 1 May 2024 if you’re not around in June by contacting the DVLA.”
Driving an untaxed vehicle is a serious problem with motorists likely to be hit with an £80 fine for breaking the law.
This can be reduced to £40 if the bill is settled in full within 28 days of receiving the penalty notice.
However, failure to pay the charge will likely see the can be pursued in court with road users likely to be hit with a bill of up to £1,000.
In some extreme cases, vehicles could also be clamped with models even moved to a pound.
Road users will then have to pay to get their vehicle removed on tip of any outstanding tax fines and charges.
