Warning as 1.4 million drivers risk £1k fine in | Tech News

Motorists have been warned to test one factor in a bid to stop fines of up to £1,000 after the DVLA issued a quantity of modifications to how a lot tax drivers need to pay.

With the tax exemption on all electric automobiles now expired, a staggering 1.4 million motorists will need to pay for vehicle excise responsibility (VED) in order to remain on the highway.

Gabriel Hambleton from Gold Label Car Care steered that homeowners of EVs make sure that they know precisely once they need to pay for his or her highway tax in order to keep away from any disagreeable surprises.

He defined: “Electric cars, vans, and motorcycles are no longer exempt from vehicle excise duty and will be taxed the same as petrol and diesel vehicles. This change applies to both new and existing EVs, meaning owners who previously paid nothing for car tax will now need to budget for this additional cost.

“With over 1.4 million absolutely electric automobiles on UK roads and one in 4 new registrations in February being battery electric, all drivers ought to test the new charges and make sure their funds are up to this point to keep away from potential fines or penalties.”

While electric vehicles were initially exempt from road tax in a bid to encourage more petrol and diesel car owners to make the switch, the growing number of EVs on the road has caused the Government to end the popular incentive.

As a result, drivers who buy a new electric car will be charged a fee of £10 for the first year, whereas all motorists with an EV registered since April 2017 will pay a yearly charge of £195 – the same amount that is applied to petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars.

Formerly exempt drivers should not have to pay for their road tax straight away, with the DVLA typically sending a reminder letter through the post around a month before it is due. However, it is a good idea to use an online vehicle checker to see when the car’s tax is up for renewal.

Gabriel warned that drivers who fail to tax their vehicle in time could be issued with a hefty fine of up to £1,000 plus other consequences, including the vehicle being towed away.

He added: “Driving an untaxed vehicle is a severe offence that may outcome in fines of up to £1,000. Authorities also can clamp, tow, or impound the vehicle, and repeat offenders face even harsher penalties, together with court docket appearances, elevated fines, and even having their car destroyed.

“Staying organised is the best way to avoid car tax-related fines or disruptions. Setting calendar reminders or using DVLA notification services can help track renewal dates. Drivers should also keep tax-related documents in a secure place for easy access during checks or audits.”