21 June 2006
CLAMP DOWN ON UNTAXED VEHICLES
A new zero-tolerance campaign has begun to remove illegal and unsafe vehicles from our roads.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) in conjunction with Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has signed a new contract with NCP designed to double the number of untaxed cars removed from our roads. The rate of removal across the UK will be increased to 2,000 vehicles a week. Unclaimed vehicles will be crushed.
The Chief Executive of DVLNI, Brendan Magee said "This is not just about wheelclamping and removing untaxed cars. It is about fighting crime, stopping criminals and making the streets safer. The message here is for the small hard core of evaders who have no intention of paying tax; we will take your car, no more warnings."
Since car tax can only be purchased with a valid MOT and insurance certificate, DVLNI's new zero tolerance approach will help to reduce the number of illegal and unsafe vehicles on our roads. By targeting untaxed vehicles, DVLNI is also helping to fight wider criminal activity as occupants of untaxed cars are more likely to be involved in activities involving drugs, anti-social behaviour, burglary and violent crime.
NCP's new fleet of vans is equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and will scan number plates, automatically checking them against a list of untaxed vehicles. Those identified as untaxed will be clamped and impounded. Those that are not claimed after 7 days can be crushed.
Bob Macnaughton, NCP Chief Executive, said: "The new vans will enable us to recognise untaxed cars much more quickly than was previously possible - and we have the national reach to ensure we can cover the whole of the UK.
"Untaxed cars traced by the new vans will then be clamped or removed to secure sites all over the country. If a vehicle remains unclaimed it can be disposed of by crushing within just 7 days."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. In addition to the national scheme, DVLNI is also able to authorise Local Councils and PSNI to wheel clamp and impound untaxed vehicles in their local area.
2. The results of the 2005 Roadside Survey revealed that vehicle excise evasion has fallen from 7.2% in 2004 to 5.4% in 2005.
3. NCP have been awarded a 3 year wheel clamping contract with DVLNI/DVLA, effective from 1 May 2006.
4. For clamped vehicles the fee for release is high, £80. In addition, a valid tax disc must also be produced. If a tax disc cannot be produced, a surety (£120 for a car or motorcycle, up to £600 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 2 weeks.
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