Almost half of UK drivers are oblivious to new rules, survey reveals
- Tax discs will be abolished on October 1
- Of those aware change is ahead, half do not know the exact date
- Drivers will be able to pay tax by direct debit
Tax discs are set to be abolished in less than six weeks’ time, but half of all UK drivers are completely oblivious to the changes, according to a new study.
From October 1 the traditional tax disc will vanish, after 93 years on our windscreens.
Car owners still need to have paid vehicle tax to drive or keep a vehicle on the road: now police cameras will automatically check a car’s number plate to establish if this has been paid.
But of those who are aware of the changes, as many as 50 per cent do not know the exact date, six per cent think it’s next year and 32 per cent will not even try to find out what the changes are, according to the survey from comparison website money.co.uk.
Almost a third of those polled said they will await instructions from the Driving Vehicle and Licensing Agency, although the comparison website claims the DVLA has yet to start adding warnings to tax renewal reminders.
Motorists will need to be aware of impending tax disc changes or face a £1,000 fine as well as potential penalty charges against a car they no longer own, experts have warned.
The move away from paper discs will save motorists money on postage and will offer more flexible payment options – and it will also make it harder for tax dodgers to drive untaxed.
Estimates show the changes will save the taxpayer £10million every year.
The new rules mean that used car sellers must inform the DVLA of any change of ownership immediately. HPI provider hpicheck.com, has warned those caught unaware could face fines and charges.
Meanwhile used car buyers must watch out as any outstanding vehicle tax will no longer be transferred to the new owner; instead those selling will be able to claw it back.
Read the new rules on the official site of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency