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22/01/2008
Huge Amounts Of Motorcyclists Dodge Road Tax
The DVLA's (Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency) enforcement of road tax for motorcycles risks becoming "a complete laughing stock", with almost four out of 10 bikers evading the £64-a-year charge, a committee of MP's has warned.
A report by the Public Accounts Committee found that five per cent of all road users avoided paying the Vehicle Excise Duty in 2006, up from 3.6 per cent the year before, costing the taxpayer £214 million.
Since 2004 the DVLA has issued automatic £80 fines to drivers who do not renew their tax discs. But it does not identify evaders until the end of the second month after a disc expires. If drivers skip a month’s tax and renew their disc at the beginning of the second month, they will not be sent a fine. They can repeat the evasion every six months.
Committee Chairman Edward Leigh said: "Motorists and motorcyclists who refuse to pay road tax are stealing from law-abiding taxpayers and unlicensed cars are often associated with other forms of crime. And yet the Department for Transport and the DVLA are losing ground in their fight against VED evasion.
"If the DVLA's motorcycle enforcement regime is not to be a complete laughing stock, then the Agency and the Department must make the most of new powers to enforce VED off public roads - and strongly consider more severe measures such as impounding unlicensed motorcycles.
"Large parts of the biking community are cocking a snook at the law."
MPs called on the DVLA to work with police and local councils to carry out more on-road checks, and use new powers to check bikes being driven off the public highway.
(CD)
A report by the Public Accounts Committee found that five per cent of all road users avoided paying the Vehicle Excise Duty in 2006, up from 3.6 per cent the year before, costing the taxpayer £214 million.
Since 2004 the DVLA has issued automatic £80 fines to drivers who do not renew their tax discs. But it does not identify evaders until the end of the second month after a disc expires. If drivers skip a month’s tax and renew their disc at the beginning of the second month, they will not be sent a fine. They can repeat the evasion every six months.
Committee Chairman Edward Leigh said: "Motorists and motorcyclists who refuse to pay road tax are stealing from law-abiding taxpayers and unlicensed cars are often associated with other forms of crime. And yet the Department for Transport and the DVLA are losing ground in their fight against VED evasion.
"If the DVLA's motorcycle enforcement regime is not to be a complete laughing stock, then the Agency and the Department must make the most of new powers to enforce VED off public roads - and strongly consider more severe measures such as impounding unlicensed motorcycles.
"Large parts of the biking community are cocking a snook at the law."
MPs called on the DVLA to work with police and local councils to carry out more on-road checks, and use new powers to check bikes being driven off the public highway.
(CD)
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