DVLA gets tough on cars left untaxed
Date published: 26 January 2009
THE owners of these vehicles will be going nowhere fast after they were clamped for not displaying valid tax discs.
But despite the clamped cars being spotted by Chronicle photographers in Oldham on the same day, the DVLA says there is no special clampdown taking place and the action was part of regular duties.
They serve as a warning to others, with the owners now facing a hefty bill or their vehicles will be crushed.
The DVLA’s national scheme to wheelclamp unlicensed vehicles was introduced in August, 1997, and is carried out by contractor NCP Services Ltd.
A spokesman said the scheme is aimed at encouraging evaders to tax their vehicles, through the threat of high penalties, inconvenience and prosecution.
One of the cars was parked at Westway in Shaw, the other at Springfield Lane, Summit.
A notice attached to each vehicle states that it is illegal to try to remove the clamp without paying the release fees. A fee of £100 must be paid and If the vehicle is not released within 24 hours it is impounded and the release fee doubles to £200, with a £21 a day storage charge.
In addition, a valid vehicle licence must be produced or a surety of £160 for a car or motorcycle, up to £700 for other vehicles, must be paid before the vehicle can be released.
The surety payment is forfeited if a valid tax disc is not produced within two weeks. If the necessary fees are not paid the DVLA disposes of the vehicle.
