Drivers who ignore ‘5 minute’ DVLA alert risk | Tech News

People might risk a hefty high-quality in the event that they’re caught driving with out paying a particular invoice. It is a legal requirement for nearly all autos within the UK to pay some type of highway tax.

In a post on X, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) stated: “Set up your Driver and vehicles account on GOV.UK and you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email. Do it today – it only takes 5 minutes.”

Drivers can signal up for the free service right here, and go for updates by textual content or e mail when the time to resume is approaching. There are additionally choices to be reminded when your MOT and photocard licence expire, making certain drivers have no excuse to overlook a deadline.

To use this service, you need to have both a driving licence issued in England, Scotland or Wales or a vehicle log ebook (V5C) in your title. The DVLA provides that drivers “cannot set up vehicle tax reminders if [they] pay by direct debit”.

Paying in month-to-month instalments by way of direct debit as a result of your tax mechanically renews yearly. The DVLA doesn’t ship reminders for these autos to stop drivers from unintentionally taxing their vehicle twice and being charged a number of occasions.

What occurs if I do not tax my vehicle within the UK?

In the UK, virtually all autos used on public roads need vehicle tax, together with automobiles, vans, motorbikes and HGVs. Even in case your vehicle is in a £0 tax band, you might be nonetheless legally required to register and apply for vehicle tax.

There are a handful of exemptions obtainable on the GOV.UK web site right here. Aside from tax-exempt autos, any driver discovered utilizing a vehicle might risk a high-quality of up to £2,500.

If shopping for from a car vendor or showroom, VED must be set up for you. You’ll need to have your own car insurance coverage in place earlier than you’ll be able to drive away from the showroom. If you might be shopping for privately, you’ll need to organise the highway tax your self and guarantee it is in place earlier than you drive away.

The DVLA is liable for implementing non-payment of vehicle tax, and the authority has the ability to clamp your vehicle till the correct quantity of tax is paid. According to the RAC, the punishment might price drivers who refuse to pay tons of of kilos.

The DVLA stated: “If the DVLA system flags up a vehicle as being untaxed and not declared SORN, an automated late licensing penalty letter is issued and a fine of £80 will be sent to the registered keeper. You won’t get any points on your licence, and if you pay the fine within 33 days you should receive a 50% discount.

“Failure to pay could outcome within the case being referred to a debt assortment company, which can add additional prices. If you might be caught utilizing an untaxed vehicle on a public highway with out a SORN then an out of court docket settlement letter can be issued.

“The fine is £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax. If not paid, as a criminal offence. the case may be followed through the magistrates’ court where the penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.

“Driving an untaxed vehicle on a public highway with a SORN in pressure will lead to an out of court docket letter and a £30 high-quality plus twice the worth of the excellent vehicle tax. If unpaid, the case could also be pursued by way of the magistrates’ court docket the place the utmost penalty is £2,500.”