Car tax crackdown as drivers warned they won't get away with it

Huge rise in road tax offences as more drivers try to get away without paying

There has been a huge rise in the number of drivers caught without paying road tax. Total offences almost doubled in the year to 2023, as huge numbers of drivers tried their luck at getting away it.

Recorded offences reached a huge 107,000 in 2023, up from 56,311 the year before, representing a massive spike in the space of 12 months. Experts believe the increase may be partly down to the cost of living crisis, with more motorists opting to try and get away with it in an effort to save cash, as well as an increased crackdown on tax dodgers.

But in reality, it has never been harder to avoid paying road tax with authorities able to access details of those who have not paid on the national database. Despite this, tens of thousands of motorists continue to drive on the roads without tax.

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Drivers who fail to to pay are hit with an £80 fine. Penalties can rise to as much as £1,000 for longstanding offences, while vehicles can be towed by authorities. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, suggested the cost of living crisis and pressure on household finances may have stopped some people from paying road tax, thinking they might be able to get away with it.

But he said the huge numbers caught should serve as a warning to those thinking about running the risk. “It is also concerning that driving without tax almost doubled in a year," he said. "While too early to tell if this rise is related to the cost of living, the high conviction rates should serve as a deterrent not to dodge paying for a virtual tax disc.”

It comes amid reports the Government is considering a new pay-per-mile tax system, which has sparked concerns it could hit people living in rural areas harder. Electric vehicle owners will also start paying tax for the first time next April.