News - NSL

NSL, the nationwide parking and transport services provider, has highlighted a continuing drop in vehicle excise duty evasion while publishing its annual figures for vehicle actions.

The company has just completed the fourth year of its nationwide operation on behalf of DVLA where it takes action against untaxed vehicles, either by clamping, removing or issuing warning notices.The latest annual figures show that more than 130,000 untaxed vehicles had action taken against them by the company's 300-strong team of enforcement officers.

The company has increased the number of vehicle actions every year since it started a UK-wide enforcement operation for DVLA in May 2006.

NSL's increased action has been mirrored by a similarly dramatic fall in Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion - in 2007 there were an estimated 589,000 untaxed vehicles in the UK, according to the Department for Transport's annual Roadside Survey, but that had fallen to 244,000 by 2009.

NSL's DVLA operations manager Chris Dexter commented: “We have worked extremely hard to get untaxed vehicles off the UK's roads - and it is great to see that more and more drivers are making sure they keep their vehicles taxed.”

He added: “Typically, 70 per cent of untaxed vehicles are also linked to other crime, so getting these vehicles off the roads helps the police and helps make the UK's roads safer.”

DVLA has ensured that it is easy for drivers to remember to tax their vehicles, with strategies including:

•     National TV advertising campaign;

•     Online payment via the website www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc (this service is not available in Northern Ireland)

•     Sending out reminder letters to warn drivers when their tax is about to lapse.

Ends

Notes for editors.

•         NSL has operated the national service for DVLA since May
2006. It has increased the number of untaxed vehicles auctioned every year, as follows;

2006-7 75,000

2007-8 110,000

2008-9 126,000

2009-10 130,000

•         The same period has seen a dramatic drop in the number of
untaxed vehicles on the UK's roads. The overall rate of unlicensed vehicles in stock in Great Britain was estimated to be:

2009 - 244,000 vehicles

2008 - 330, 000 vehicles

2007 - 589,000 vehicles.

•         Previous Roadside Surveys produced even higher estimates,but  the way the statistics were calculated changed in 2007 so direct comparisons are not appropriate

•         It is estimated that vehicle excise duty evasion could cost around £34 million in lost revenue in 2009/10, down from an estimated £49 million in 2008/9, saving the taxpayer £15 million.

•         Untaxed vehicles found on public roads clamped by NSL can normally be released within 24 hours if a release fee is paid and the vehicle taxed. Otherwise the vehicle can be removed to a secure vehicle pound where owners typically have another seven days to pay release fees and tax their vehicles. After that period the vehicle can be scrapped or sold.

DVLA has invested in online and phone services designed to be quick, safe and easy to use. They are available in most of the UK anytime - day or night.

All the customer needs is their unique 16 digit reference number, a credit or debit card + around 5 minutes to tax a vehicle 

When customers apply online or by phone, their vehicle's MOT and insurance will be electronically checked, so they don't need their documents to hand.

Applying in this manner also enables customers to join a free prize draw with the chance to win a brand new tax-exempt SEAT car.

To get a tax disc or make a SORN online customers simply go to: www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc or phone 0300 123 4321

The tax disc should arrive within 5 working days.  Customers can continue driving their vehicle for up to 5 days while waiting for the new tax disc to arrive - as long as they apply for their new tax disc before the current one expires.  

For further information contact Tim Cowen of NSL on 020 8991 7709