DVLA urges drivers to set up vital alert to avoid being fined

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a reminder to set up an essential text alert, which could prevent your car from being clamped or removed. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), they stress the importance of acting quickly, noting that the process only takes a few minutes.

Their fresh message reads: "Set up your Driver and vehicles account on http://GOV.UK and you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email. Do it today - it only takes 5 minutes."

Drivers are also reminded that "it's illegal to drive your vehicle until you've taxed it."

The motoring experts warn on their website: "You'll be fined £80 if you do not tax your vehicle or tell DVLA that it's off the road. You'll also have to pay for the time it was not taxed. If you do not pay your fine on time your vehicle could be clamped or crushed, or your details passed to a debt collection agency."

How to sign up for DVLA vehicle tax reminder alerts by e-mail and text

You need to tax your vehicle via GOV.UK and once you have done this, you can chose to receive alerts through the post, email or text. The DVLA state: "If you pay for your vehicle tax every 6 or 12 months you may also get a reminder to tax your vehicle (V11 letter) by post. You can choose not to get paper reminders when you set up digital reminders in your account."

Are you a registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle?

If you neglect to tax your vehicle, you could find yourself in trouble. As stated on the official GOV.UK website, the DVLA will identify any untaxed vehicle if you're the registered keeper. If this happens, they warn: "A late licensing penalty (LLP) letter is issued automatically. LLP set at £80 reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. If the penalty is not paid, the case will be referred to a debt collection agency."

They add: "If you pay by Direct Debit and fail to make the payment, DVLA may stop you from using this payment method in the future." They cite this legal reference as being under "The Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (VERA) (as amended) Sections 7A and 19B of the Act applies." They also state it is covered under "The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002, Regulation 9A."

Are you keeping an untaxed vehicle?

In addition to being the registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle, they say there is also a law regarding keeping an untaxed vehicle. If you are in this position, they say that "an out of court settlement (OCS) letter is issued.

Discussing this, they further explain: "OCS set at £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax. If the OCS is not paid, as a criminal offence the case may be pursued through the magistrates' court. The penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater. Vehicle may be clamped and additional fees may apply."

Citing the laws, they further detail that this comes under "The Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (VERA) (as amended). Section 29 and Schedule 2A of the Act applies. Vehicle Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997."