The DVLA has warned motorists
Motorists are being urged to make appropriate checks or face penalties of up to £1,000 – and potentially having their car clamped or impounded.
The alert comes as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency steps up a nationwide crackdown on untaxed vehicles after more than 150,000 cars were clamped across Britain last year alone. The DVLA has urged drivers not to ignore reminders to renew Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), warning that enforcement teams are increasingly using automatic number plate recognition cameras to catch offenders.
Officials have also reminded motorists that even drivers who qualify for free road tax – including some disabled motorists and historic vehicle owners – must still officially tax their vehicle. A DVLA spokesperson said: “You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything, for example if you’re exempt because you’re disabled.”
The crackdown forms part of the DVLA’s “Nobody Wins” enforcement campaign, which highlights the financial and practical consequences of driving without valid tax.
According to the DVLA, while almost 99% of motorists pay on time, huge numbers are still being caught with untaxed vehicles on Britain’s roads. More than 150,000 vehicles were clamped during 2025, with London motorists among the worst offenders.
Under current rules, registered keepers automatically receive an £80 Late Licensing Penalty if their vehicle tax lapses without a valid Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). The fine is reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. But motorists who continue to ignore the rules can face far steeper penalties.
Drivers caught using an untaxed vehicle on a public road can be taken to court and fined either £1,000 or five times the amount of outstanding tax, whichever is greater. Vehicles can also be wheel-clamped, impounded and even disposed of if owners fail to act quickly.
The warning is particularly important for used car buyers, because road tax no longer transfers automatically between owners. Anyone buying a second-hand vehicle must arrange tax immediately before driving away, even if the previous owner had already paid for months in advance.
The clampdown also comes after major changes to vehicle tax rules for electric cars. From April last year, EV owners started paying VED for the first time, ending a long-standing exemption. Many electric vehicles are now charged the standard annual rate, while premium EVs costing more than £50,000 are also subject to the expensive car supplement.
Motorists can renew their vehicle tax online, by phone or at participating Post Office branches. The DVLA is also encouraging drivers to sign up for text and email reminders to avoid accidentally falling foul of the rules.
