And 160,000 clamped for no road tax

THE number of motorists clamped for not paying their road tax has more than doubled since the tax disc was abolished, DVLA figures reveal. Tens of thousands – perhaps as many as 160,000 – are being clamped each year, with many having their cars towed away.

Since 2013/14 the number of wheel-clamping operations for non-payment of vehicle excise duty has increased by 166 per cent.

Critics warned that the abolition of the tax disc in October 2014 has led to motorists forgetting they need to pay road tax, which raises around £5.9billion a year.

Jack Cousens, roads policy spokesman for the AA, said: ‘It is only right that those who deliberately flout the rules are penalised. But many drivers may have inadvertently forgot- ten to tax their vehicle without the physical reminder on their windscreen.’

Tory MP Charlie Elphicke said: ‘Rather than fining, prosecuting and clamping people, perhaps the DVLA should consider whether it should be bringing back the tax disc. Without the tax disc, people think that if they don’t pay their car tax they can get away with it.’

The figures, buried in the DVLA’s annual report last week, show there has also been rise of 155 per cent in road tax penalties issued, 159 per cent in prosecutions and 168 per cent in out-of-court settlements.

The DVLA said last night: ‘It’s easier than ever before to tax your vehicle. The law is clear and that is why we take action on behalf of the taxpayer against those who break it.’