1 October 2004
CAR TAX DODGERS IN COURT
Seven people have been convicted and fined for evading the new car tax rules introduced in January this year.
The cases related to offences committed in the first three months of this year and fines totalling £8000 were imposed under the new Continuous Registration rules in Belfast Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.
Mr Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of DVLNI, warned motorists who failed to keep their car tax up to date that they would pay the penalty:
"DVLNI has been running a major communications campaign to inform motorists of the new car tax rules introduced in January 2004. Motorists should keep their vehicle tax up to date in order to avoid a £1000 fine. The government is determined to cut the number of untaxed vehicles on the road. Motorists who have failed to pay their vehicle tax are detected from DVLNI’s database. It is the responsibility of the registered keeper to license the vehicle. The keeper must advise DVLNI if the vehicle has been sold, scrapped, stolen or exported – otherwise the keeper remains liable for the vehicle tax."
He reminded the public that vehicle tax can be purchased with a valid insurance and MOT certificate (if appropriate) and that the Certificate of Temporary Exemption (issued in lieu of MOT certificates) can be used to tax vehicles until the date of the vehicle test appointment.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- To avoid the penalty motorists must make sure they do the following:
(i) Ensure their car tax is kept up to date. All vehicle licenses can be renewed at any of the eight Local Vehicle Licensing Offices throughout Northern Ireland or by posting direct to the Vehicle Licensing Central Office, County Hall, Coleraine, BT51 3TA. Licenses can also be renewed at selected Post Offices in Northern Ireland, using the V11 (NI) reminder form or V10 (NI) form.
(ii) Ensure they inform DVLNI if they sell, export or scrap their car, otherwise they remain liable for keeping the car tax up to date. Once DVLNI is informed it will issue a receipt which motorists must keep safe. The same applies for cars that are kept "off road". Owners must make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declaration to DVLNI and will not need to pay car tax during the period the car is not used on the road.
- The Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency has the power to issue certificates of temporary exemption (CTE’s) for cars, motorcycles and goods vehicles. CTE’s allow a vehicle to be taxed and to be driven on the road without a valid vehicle test certificate (MOT or goods vehicle certificate).
- Customers need to apply for a vehicle test appointment to get a CTE for their vehicle.
- Seven people from the Greater Belfast area were prosecuted and fines and costs averaging £1100 imposed, including penalties and discretionary fines.
- For further information, please contact the DOE Press Office, telephone 028 9054 0003, or visit www.dvlni.gov.uk.
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