20 March 2006
CLAMP DOWN ON VEHICLE TAX EVADERS IN NEWRY
More than 100 untaxed vehicles were found in the Newry area last week.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) joined forces with the PSNI in a clean up operation which resulted in 120 unlicensed vehicles detected including 111 that were clamped.
Brendan Magee, the Chief Executive of DVLNI said "The operation proved to be very successful and it is our intention to continue these operations on a regular basis.
"Over the past two years there has been an intense advertising campaign advising the public of the consequences of not taxing their vehicle or declaring that it is off the road.
"No longer can motorists take the chance of being caught on the road without a valid tax disc. The decision to do nothing when the tax expires is no longer an option. The legislation requires motorists to update their vehicle record immediately on expiry of their tax either by re-taxing, declaring the vehicle is off the road, known as a Statutory off Road Notification (SORN), or notifying disposal of the vehicle."
Mr Magee warned motorists that further legislation exists which requires both new keepers and those disposing of a vehicle to update DVLNI's record immediately.
Mr Magee said: "No one is exempt from complying with the law and all vehicles used on the public road are required to have a current tax disc including those entitled to tax exemption.
"The introduction of new technology means that the names and addresses of the registered keepers of unlicensed vehicles is readily available. However, the honest motorist has nothing to fear from any such operations."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Of the 111 vehicles clamped (unlicensed for more than one month) 68 were removed to the car pound, 43 were returned to their owners on payment of an immediate fine and outstanding duty.
For further information on how and where to re-tax, declare SORN or advise of disposal / acquisition of a vehicle visit the DVLNI website at www.doeni.gov.uk/dvlni
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