Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is
there any possible innocent explanation?
On 22 Jun 2025 at 22:34:36 BST, "Clive Arthur" <clive@notnowthanks.co.uk> wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I
don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up
country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is
there any possible innocent explanation?
The relatively innocent explanation is that the van was abroad or on private land until the last day or two.
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who thencould have been SORNed for a while, then the owner decided to risk it?
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is there any possible innocent explanation?
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is there any possible innocent explanation?
On 22/06/2025 22:34, Clive Arthur wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is there any possible innocent explanation?
Well, we don't have teams of dedicated enforcers going round the country looking for untaxed vehicles,
…..DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around places
where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles parked.
Also police cars have ANPR cameras so if the police are in the area for some other matter then they may get a ping from their ANPR camera when they pass an untaxed vehicle.
Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
[…]
…..DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around places
where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles parked.
It has been said that ’the authorities’ know where the untaxed, untested, and uninsured vehicles are, but ANPR isn’t enforced due to the possibility of raising community tensions. Cornwall, mentioned by the OP, isn’t one of those areas.
Also police cars have ANPR cameras so if the police are in the area for some >> other matter then they may get a ping from their ANPR camera when they pass >> an untaxed vehicle.
Wasn’t there a case a few years ago of a police car getting a ping from a passing car, and in the ensuing chase killed a little girl on a pedestrian crossing?
Norman Wells <hex@unseen.ac.am> wrote:
On 22/06/2025 22:34, Clive Arthur wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I >>> don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up
country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is
there any possible innocent explanation?
Well, we don't have teams of dedicated enforcers going round the country
looking for untaxed vehicles,
We do. DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around places where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles parked.
Also police cars have ANPR cameras so if the police are in the area for some other matter then they may get a ping from their ANPR camera when they pass an untaxed vehicle.
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is
there any possible innocent explanation?
Would the police chase many untaxed cars? There are easier ways to deal
with that, as my neighbour of a few doors away could tell you.
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is
there any possible innocent explanation?
JNugent wrote:
Would the police chase many untaxed cars? There are easier ways to deal
with that, as my neighbour of a few doors away could tell you.
Presumably un-taxed is more likely to also be un-insured, un-MOTed, un-roadworthy?
Another reason could be the (in my view) quite shortsighted decision not
to issue Road Tax discs over the last ten years.
The owner loses a valuable visual reminder of the expiry date as do
passing police officers and "parking attendants". They can't do anything except check every vehicle in the street on the DVLA or PNC systems,
which is impractical due to weight of numbers.
JNugent wrote:
Would the police chase many untaxed cars? There are easier ways to
deal with that, as my neighbour of a few doors away could tell you.
Presumably un-taxed is more likely to also be un-insured, un-MOTed, un- roadworthy?
Norman Wells <hex@unseen.ac.am> wrote:
On 22/06/2025 22:34, Clive Arthur wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I >>> don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up
country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is >>> there any possible innocent explanation?
Well, we don't have teams of dedicated enforcers going round the country
looking for untaxed vehicles,
We do. DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around places where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles parked.
On 23/06/2025 11:22, JNugent wrote:
Another reason could be the (in my view) quite shortsighted decision
not to issue Road Tax discs over the last ten years.
It's all electronic now. If you dont tax your car, you get a posted
reminder that the vehicle is not, but should be taxed, or SORN'd. If
you do neither, you get a fine, and, have to pay the back tax.
The owner loses a valuable visual reminder of the expiry date as do
passing police officers and "parking attendants". They can't do
anything except check every vehicle in the street on the DVLA or PNC
systems, which is impractical due to weight of numbers.
MOTs can be flagged by the ANPR cameras, but are rarely followed up,
the fine is low (£60?), with no points on the licence, so, so long as
the car is road worthy, being without an MOT is not really too much of
a problem.
JNugent wrote:
Would the police chase many untaxed cars? There are easier ways to
deal with that, as my neighbour of a few doors away could tell you.
Presumably un-taxed is more likely to also be un-insured, un-MOTed, un-roadworthy?
On 23/06/2025 10:28, Theo wrote:
Norman Wells <hex@unseen.ac.am> wrote:
On 22/06/2025 22:34, Clive Arthur wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed
Vehicle'. I
don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up
country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then >>>> had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.] >>>>
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is >>>> there any possible innocent explanation?
Well, we don't have teams of dedicated enforcers going round the country >>> looking for untaxed vehicles,
We do. DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around
places
where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles parked.
I am aware of vehicle mounted ANPR, but wasn't aware (if they do) that
they drive around 'hot-spots' looking for untaxed vehicles rather than
being static at the roadside or on motorway bridges etc.
Alan Lee <alan@darkroom.plus.com> wrote in news:103bhdo$187ji$1@dont-email.me:
On 23/06/2025 11:22, JNugent wrote:
Another reason could be the (in my view) quite shortsighted decision
not to issue Road Tax discs over the last ten years.
It's all electronic now. If you dont tax your car, you get a posted
reminder that the vehicle is not, but should be taxed, or SORN'd. If
you do neither, you get a fine, and, have to pay the back tax.
The owner loses a valuable visual reminder of the expiry date as do
passing police officers and "parking attendants". They can't do
anything except check every vehicle in the street on the DVLA or PNC
systems, which is impractical due to weight of numbers.
MOTs can be flagged by the ANPR cameras, but are rarely followed up,
the fine is low (£60?), with no points on the licence, so, so long as
the car is road worthy, being without an MOT is not really too much of
a problem.
The more serious issue _used_ to be driving without an MOT where one would not have been granted as it moves from being administrative to, 'using a vehicle in a dangerous condition' which is is far more serious (despite
plods using it to pull up scrotes with over tinted windows).
Nowadays since you can get an MOT fail for a relatively trivial emissions related contravention it becomes more difficult to demonstrate that your
use following a fail does not imply use in a dangerous condition.
On 23/06/2025 12:31 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
JNugent wrote:
Would the police chase many untaxed cars? There are easier ways to
deal with that, as my neighbour of a few doors away could tell you.
Presumably un-taxed is more likely to also be un-insured, un-MOTed,
un-roadworthy?
I expect so and I understand that police traffic patrols do operate on
that basis.
On 23/06/2025 12:29 PM, Norman Wells wrote:
On 23/06/2025 10:28, Theo wrote:
Norman Wells <hex@unseen.ac.am> wrote:
On 22/06/2025 22:34, Clive Arthur wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed
Vehicle'. I
don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up >>>>> country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who
then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.] >>>>>
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A >>>>> 2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in >>>>> June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long,
or is
there any possible innocent explanation?
Well, we don't have teams of dedicated enforcers going round the
country
looking for untaxed vehicles,
We do. DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around
places
where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles parked.
I am aware of vehicle mounted ANPR, but wasn't aware (if they do) that
they drive around 'hot-spots' looking for untaxed vehicles rather than
being static at the roadside or on motorway bridges etc.
The vehicle a few doors away from me must have been spotted by a mobile
ANPR, especially as another just around the corner was done the same night.
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A
2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA
lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in
June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long, or is there any possible innocent explanation?
On 23/06/2025 16:34, JNugent wrote:
On 23/06/2025 12:29 PM, Norman Wells wrote:
On 23/06/2025 10:28, Theo wrote:
Norman Wells <hex@unseen.ac.am> wrote:
On 22/06/2025 22:34, Clive Arthur wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see
vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed
Vehicle'. I
don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much bigger town 'up >>>>>> country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who >>>>>> then
had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too harsh.] >>>>>>
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. A >>>>>> 2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the DVLA >>>>>> lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT expired in >>>>>> June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this for so long,
or is
there any possible innocent explanation?
Well, we don't have teams of dedicated enforcers going round the
country
looking for untaxed vehicles,
We do. DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around
places
where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles parked.
I am aware of vehicle mounted ANPR, but wasn't aware (if they do) that
they drive around 'hot-spots' looking for untaxed vehicles rather than
being static at the roadside or on motorway bridges etc.
The vehicle a few doors away from me must have been spotted by a
mobile ANPR, especially as another just around the corner was done the
same night.
It might be just a 'concerned' neighbour informing the authorities of
heinous illegality.
On Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:35:07 +0100, JNugent wrote:
On 23/06/2025 12:31 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
JNugent wrote:
Would the police chase many untaxed cars? There are easier ways to
deal with that, as my neighbour of a few doors away could tell you.
Presumably un-taxed is more likely to also be un-insured, un-MOTed,
un-roadworthy?
I expect so and I understand that police traffic patrols do operate on
that basis.
A few years ago, a car was stopped not far from here (on the M6) and
found to be filled to the brim with guns and ammunition of various description.
The scrotes deep suspicion they had a "mole" in their midst was used to leverage their testimony against one another.
Apparently not one thought that the car being untaxed, uninsured and
unMOTd had anything to do with the stop.
On 23/06/2025 06:04 PM, Norman Wells wrote:
On 23/06/2025 16:34, JNugent wrote:
On 23/06/2025 12:29 PM, Norman Wells wrote:
On 23/06/2025 10:28, Theo wrote:
Norman Wells <hex@unseen.ac.am> wrote:
On 22/06/2025 22:34, Clive Arthur wrote:
Since we moved to Cornwall a few years ago, every so often I see >>>>>>> vehicles with wheel clamps and notices proclaiming 'Untaxed
Vehicle'. I don't think I ever saw these when we lived in a much >>>>>>> bigger town 'up country'.
[In fact, this happened to a neighbour, probably an oversight, who >>>>>>> then had to tax the vehicle and pay a £100 release fee, so not too >>>>>>> harsh.]
A couple of days ago I saw another such on a van a few roads away. >>>>>>> A 2015 van in seemingly good condition. Being nosey, I did the
DVLA lookup thingy. Tax was due in September 2020 and the MOT
expired in June 2021. How is it possible to get away with this
for so long,
or is there any possible innocent explanation?
Well, we don't have teams of dedicated enforcers going round the
country looking for untaxed vehicles,
We do. DVLA has vans with ANPR cameras in them. They drive around
places where they suspect people are likely to have untaxed vehicles >>>>> parked.
I am aware of vehicle mounted ANPR, but wasn't aware (if they do)
that they drive around 'hot-spots' looking for untaxed vehicles
rather than being static at the roadside or on motorway bridges etc.
The vehicle a few doors away from me must have been spotted by a
mobile ANPR, especially as another just around the corner was done the
same night.
It might be just a 'concerned' neighbour informing the authorities of
heinous illegality.
Given the distance apart of the vehicles (not even in the same street)
it would either have to be more than one "concerned neighbour" acting simultaneously (by coincidence?), OR someone who was really putting
himself about enough to have ASKMID'd (or whatever) every vehicle parked
on the street in a quarter mile radius of his abode. And that's a lot of vehicles.
On 23/06/2025 06:04 PM, Norman Wells wrote:
On 23/06/2025 16:34, JNugent wrote:
The vehicle a few doors away from me must have been spotted by a
mobile ANPR, especially as another just around the corner was done the
same night.
It might be just a 'concerned' neighbour informing the authorities of
heinous illegality.
Given the distance apart of the vehicles (not even in the same street)
it would either have to be more than one "concerned neighbour" acting simultaneously (by coincidence?), OR someone who was really putting
himself about enough to have ASKMID'd (or whatever) every vehicle parked
on the street in a quarter mile radius of his abode. And that's a lot of vehicles.
On 23/06/2025 11:22, JNugent wrote:
Another reason could be the (in my view) quite shortsighted decision
not to issue Road Tax discs over the last ten years.
It's all electronic now. If you dont tax your car, you get a posted
reminder that the vehicle is not, but should be taxed, or SORN'd. If you
do neither, you get a fine, and, have to pay the back tax.
The owner loses a valuable visual reminder of the expiry date as do
passing police officers and "parking attendants". They can't do
anything except check every vehicle in the street on the DVLA or PNC
systems, which is impractical due to weight of numbers.
But you also get a postal reminder (or email if you opted for that,
emails (possibly texts?) also for MOT due date) that your vehicle duty
is due, so plenty of chance to get it sorted before it is due.
Being untaxed is rare for fleet and other similar vehicles, due to the aforementioned reminders, so someone who does not tax their vehicle is
mostly someone who is trying to not pay for their vehicle duty.
MOTs can be flagged by the ANPR cameras, but are rarely followed up, the
fine is low (£60?), with no points on the licence, so, so long as the
car is road worthy, being without an MOT is not really too much of a
problem.
On 23/06/2025 06:09 PM, Jethro_uk wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:35:07 +0100, JNugent wrote:
On 23/06/2025 12:31 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
JNugent wrote:
Would the police chase many untaxed cars? There are easier ways to
deal with that, as my neighbour of a few doors away could tell you.
Presumably un-taxed is more likely to also be un-insured, un-MOTed,
un-roadworthy?
I expect so and I understand that police traffic patrols do operate on
that basis.
A few years ago, a car was stopped not far from here (on the M6) and
found to be filled to the brim with guns and ammunition of various
description.
The scrotes deep suspicion they had a "mole" in their midst was used to
leverage their testimony against one another.
Apparently not one thought that the car being untaxed, uninsured and
unMOTd had anything to do with the stop.
I remember the case. Vaguely.
Without the paper reminder in the windscreen it is all too easy to be
driving around without valid road tax paid. I have a feeling it
invalidates your insurance too (although I'm not sure about that).
MOTs can be flagged by the ANPR cameras, but are rarely followed up,
the fine is low (£60?), with no points on the licence, so, so long as
the car is road worthy, being without an MOT is not really too much of
a problem.
I am certain that I drove past ANPR cameras on the A19 in the few days
where it wasn't taxed but they clearly didn't do anything about it. I
suspect that they are installed there to fry much bigger fish.
On Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:38:24 +0100, JNugent wrote:
On 23/06/2025 06:04 PM, Norman Wells wrote:
On 23/06/2025 16:34, JNugent wrote:
The vehicle a few doors away from me must have been spotted by a
mobile ANPR, especially as another just around the corner was done the >>>> same night.
It might be just a 'concerned' neighbour informing the authorities of
heinous illegality.
Given the distance apart of the vehicles (not even in the same street)
it would either have to be more than one "concerned neighbour" acting
simultaneously (by coincidence?), OR someone who was really putting
himself about enough to have ASKMID'd (or whatever) every vehicle parked
on the street in a quarter mile radius of his abode. And that's a lot of
vehicles.
Or just look for the most likely candidates and report them. Untaxed
vehicles (around here, anyway) have a typical fingerprint; small cars,
like Ford Focus or VW Golf; old and shabby, with several bumps and
scratches; often with rubbish lying on the back seats; and especially, a tendency to be left unmoved for weeks at a time. I pride myself I can spot them from a hundred yards away.
Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
The relatively innocent explanation is that the van was abroad or on private >> land until the last day or two.
Yes, Covid lockdowns were in force at that time, and it’s quite possible the van’s owner ran a one-man business that couldn’t function due to reduced opportunities, and so he stored the vehicle against better times
that didn’t come fast enough. The van could have been advertised for sale and parked on the road in order to be viewed or tested. That doesn’t make it right, of course, just unlucky.
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