Motorists have been issued with a fresh warning from the DVLA of the consequences they face if they fail to tax their vehicles.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has launched a new nationwide campaign to urge motorists to renew their Vehicle Excise Duty on time.
The new “Nobody Wins” campaign aims to remind the UK’s more than 40 million drivers to renew their car tax on time, or they could face huge fines.
As part of the new public information campaign, the DVLA has created “Clampy” as a talking wheel clamp, which will be seen until March 31, 2026.
The campaign, which will run across outdoor, audio and online channels, aims to highlight to drivers the “disruption and consequences” they could face if they have their vehicle clamped for not paying tax.
Clampy is “designed to show the real frustration of being stuck” because drivers did not take the time to tax their vehicle.
The DVLA has previously launched vehicle tax reminder campaigns, including “Hard to hide, easy to tax”, which show the difficulties drivers risk if they do not pay their tax.
It is estimated that 98.7 per cent of vehicles used on the road are taxed, but the DVLA is calling for this to be raised further.
The DVLA has launched a new campaign urging drivers to renew their car tax
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The DVLA can already take enforcement action directly from their records if they are the keeper of an untaxed vehicle.
Tim Moss CBE, chief executive of the DVLA, said: “Most drivers keep their vehicle tax up to date, but if you don’t tax your vehicle on time, the consequences can be significant.
“We remind motorists when their vehicle tax is due and only clamp untaxed vehicles as a last resort.
“Having your vehicle clamped is avoidable, as taxing your vehicle is quick and easy to do.”
The DVLA enforced against more than 120,000 vehicles in 2024
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DVLAMr Moss added that drivers can pay for their Vehicle Excise Duty via Direct Debit, allowing them to “stay on top of renewals”, as well as spreading the cost.
The DVLA has a vast enforcement team, in addition to wheelclamping services, which take action against untaxed vehicles across the country.
Under the DVLA’s Devolved Power Partner scheme, local authorities and police forces can also clamp vehicles.
London, Manchester and Birmingham were the cities which saw the most vehicles clamped in 2025, including by the DVLA’s Devolved Power Partners.
The DVLA has the power to clamp vehicles if they are untaxed | PA
Cities by total number of vehicles clamped in 2025
London (all postcodes) – 16,557
Manchester (M) – 9,174
Birmingham (B) – 7,369
Cardiff (CF) – 4,213
Glasgow (G) – 4,207
Bristol (BS) – 3,736
Belfast (BT) – 3,017
Edinburgh (EH) – 2,997
Rochester (ME) – 2,882
Sheffield (S) – 2,663
