RISE IN CAR TAX EVASION
More than 700,000 untaxed vehicles on UK roads in 2021
MORE vehicles have gone untaxed this year, as the pandemic hit people’s lives and finances. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures show 1.9% of vehicles on roads in the UK had not had vehicle excise duty paid on them in 2019.
That was the highest rate since at least 2015 (when UK figures begin). Figures for just Great Britain (so excluding Northern Ireland) hit 1.8%, the highest level since 2007.
It means an estimated 719,000 vehicles across the UK were untaxed - although the number could be higher due to issues with the coverage of motorcycles.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “It’s hugely concerning that we’re seeing ever greater numbers of unlicensed vehicles on the roads with the total number now standing at nearly three-quarters of a million.
“While we’d like to think the abolition of the paper tax disc back in 2014 isn’t responsible, the fact remains evasion has increased significantly since then to the point where a shocking two in every 100 vehicles on the road aren’t taxed.
“The cost from vehicle excise duty evasion in 2021 alone is set to be a whopping £119m, a substantial sum that should be spent on improving our road network.
“We urge the DVLA to step up enforcement and to do all it can to bring evasion down, as it is clearly not fair on those who do pay their fair share to drive on the road.”
How much vehicle tax you pay varies depending on your vehicle with electric vehicles exempt and paying nothing, while those with a list price above £40,000 have to pay more.
The DVLA said it planned to carry out more analysis on the rise in untaxed vehicles, which was up from 1.6% in 2019.
However, it said Covid-19 was very likely to have played a part in impacting customer behaviour.
This may have been financially, with many working adults being furloughed or made redundant, or as people juggled competing worklife balance.
Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive said: “We work hard to drive down vehicle tax evasion and the vast majority of motorists are doing the right thing with over 98% of vehicles on the road taxed correctly.
“Estimated evasion rates fluctuate and the pandemic is highly likely to have impacted some motorists’ behaviours. Those who choose to evade will be tackled using our proven package of comprehensive enforcement measures.
“These include penalties and court prosecutions through to the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, wheel clamping and the removal of untaxed vehicles.
“You can tax your vehicle using our quick and easy online services – available 24/7 – and the costs of vehicle tax can be spread throughout the year by opting to pay in installments by direct debit, which is a popular choice with nearly 15 million vehicles taxed this way in 2020.”