Motorists hit by tax-law changes

Motorists are falling foul of new tax rules, with fines and clamping incidents skyrocketing.

The issue has arisen after the paper tax disc, traditionally displayed in car windshields, was scrapped in October 2014 - 93 years after it was introduced.

Although most motorists now know when they do and don’t have to display the disc, they are being caught out by a rule change that affects those buying and selling second hand cars.

Under the new rules, car tax is automatically voided as soon as a car changes hands, regardless of whether the previous owner had the vehicle taxed for a longer period and an in-date tax disc displayed in the windscreen.

Instead of being able to transfer vehicle tax, the seller now receives a refund for the number of fully remaining months of tax left on the vehicle, leaving the new owner to tax it again.

Speaking about the issue, Stuart Milne, the editor of Carbuyer magazine, said; “The number of motorists getting caught out suggests there is still more to be done in getting the message across. For many years cars have been bought and sold with remaining road tax, so it could take a while for the new rules to be widely understood.

"Car dealers should be aware of the changes by now, but in a private sale both buyer and seller may be unaware. The government needs to raise awareness of this issue through better, and more targeted marketing.”

The number of cars being clamped each month has increased dramatically since the new laws came into effect. Whilst the DVLA used to clamp around 5,000 vehicles a month, they are now recording some 8,000 incidents.

Speaking to Mail Online, A DVLA spokesman defended the changes and their effects. He said, "The changes have been widely publicised and we write to every vehicle keeper to remind them of the new rules before the vehicle tax expires.

"We also write to every new vehicle keeper when they buy a used vehicle to inform them that they must tax the vehicle before they use it.