Scores of untaxed vehicles clamped in Peterborough

One of the cars seized by police in Peterborough this week. Photo: @roadpoliceBCH

Between November 28 and November 20, 60 vehicles in the area were clamped by DVLA’s national wheel-clamping partner NSL, across the area including the city centre, Millfield, New England, Bretton Paston and Werrington.

As part of their day-to-day enforcement, NSL clamps or impounds any untaxed vehicles seen on the road across the UK. Vehicle tax is easy to pay, but hard to avoid and while over 98% of motorists tax correctly and on time, in 2016 over 1,000 untaxed vehicles were clamped in the Peterborough area alone.

Bethan Beasley, national wheel-clamping manager at DVLA said: “We write to the keepers of all vehicles to remind them when their tax is due. That’s why it’s so important to let DVLA know if you’ve changed your address.

“We don’t need to spot a vehicle on the road to take enforcement action but if we do, wheel-clamping is an effective way to make sure that an untaxed vehicle is not driven on the road.

“It’s never been easier to tax your car, so there really is no excuse. Although the vast majority of motorists do the right thing and tax their vehicles correctly, it is right that we take action against those who break the law and don’t tax their vehicles. Having your vehicle clamped is expensive and inconvenient. Don’t take the risk – it just isn’t worth it.”

When the DVLA clamps an untaxed vehicle the motorist is charged a £100 release fee. If they cannot show that the vehicle has been taxed when it is released the motorist will have to pay a surety fee of £160. This is refunded if the motorists can show the vehicle has been taxed within 15 days.

If the release fee is not paid within 24 hours DVLA impounds the vehicle and the fee rises to £200. There is also a storage charge of £21 per day. Again, a surety fee of £160 must be paid if the motorist cannot show that the vehicle has been taxed.

DVLA is reminding motorists that they can go online, 24 hours a day, to tax a vehicle or check whether their vehicle tax is up to date at www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax. Vehicle tax payments can be managed through monthly, six monthly and 12 monthly Direct Debits as well as one-off payments. Tax can also be paid by calling 0300 123 4321.