13 April 2006

MOTOR TAX EVASION FALLS

Motor tax evasion here fell by nearly 25% from 2004 levels.

The results of the 2005 roadside survey show that the overall rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) evasion was 5.4% down from 7.2% the previous year. For specific categories the rates were 3.9% for cars and vans and 5.5% for goods vehicles.

Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) said: "We are very pleased to see the reduction. In fact evasion rates for cars and vans has almost halved since 2002.

"The reduction can be attributed to the introduction of New Car Tax rules, the increase in the number of detection cases and more joint operations with the PSNI and other enforcement agencies.

"However, we cannot afford to be complacent. Evasion rates in Northern Ireland are still over twice the GB average and remain high at 5.5% for Goods vehicles."

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The survey took place across the UK in June 2005.

52,552 valid vehicles were surveyed at 28 sites across Northern Ireland.

Breakdown for specific categories are:

Tax class and private light goods 2002 2004 2005

(cars and vans) 7.6 5.4 3.9

Goods (lorries) 8.3 5.3 5.5

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