Drivers are being reminded to tax their vehicles as soon as possible or they could face huge fines and even have their cars clamped.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has urged motorists to ensure they have properly taxed their cars ahead of changes being introduced within months.
Tens of thousands of people used the Christmas Day and Boxing Day break to use the DVLA’s online services and sort out their tax and licence deadlines.
According to the DVLA, many drivers are making use of the quiet festive period to renew their car tax.
Car tax changes are expected to take place next April
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Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, the DVLA wrote: “How did you spend your Christmas day?
“As of 4pm, more than 11,114 vehicles have been taxed (vehicle excise duty) today.”
A further 1,256 people across the UK applied for their first provisional driving licence.
In an update on Boxing Day, the DVLA reported that 2,736 people applied for their provisional and over 17,000 vehicles were taxed.
December 26 also saw over 29,000 vehicles being taxed, while almost 2,000 people applied for a licence.
It is illegal to drive on the roads without having valid car tax, with motorists receiving an automated letter and fine of £80 to their address, although they will not receive any points on their licence.
If someone fails to pay the fine, they could be prosecuted, leading to a maximum fine of £1,000, with the DVLA also having the power to clamp vehicles until the tax is paid.
Recent data from the Department for Transport found that there are 498,000 untaxed vehicles across the UK, with 1.3 per cent of vehicles in UK traffic found to be unlicensed.
Drivers are also being warned of car tax changes coming in 2024, with the Chancellor confirming it would rise in line with the retail price index.
The Government will uprate VED rates for cars, vans and motorcycles in line with RPI from April 1, 2024, in the Autumn Finance Bill 2023.
While many Britons will see their VED costs increase, the Government has frozen rates to protect some drivers from the rising cost of motoring.
To support the haulage sector, VED for HGVs and the HGV levy will both remain at 2023-24 rates for 2024-25.
The total cost of the policy changes including the VED uprate and HGV freeze will cost the Government around £105million over the next five years.
Further car tax changes will be coming in 2025 when zero emissions cars will be required to pay VED to create a “fairer” system of vehicle taxation.
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The DVLA has the power to clamp untaxed vehicles
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According to the Government, zero emission cars first registered on or after April 1, 2017, will be liable to pay the lowest first year rate of VED which currently applies to vehicles with CO2 emissions one to 50g/km.
