Dudley Council clamps down on untaxed vehicles

The council is using the services of contractor Penham to deliver the work, which began on 10 May with action taken ranging from warnings, to clamping, to removal of vehicles.

The week’s intense activity with DVLA saw intelligence for 104 untaxed vehicles passed to Dudley council for enforcement action and a further 22 were issued with Warning Notices, including those incorrectly claiming to be SORN (statutory off road notification).

The total number of vehicles enforced against for being without vehicle excise duty was 59, the worst offender had been without VED since October 2019. Eightwere registered as SORN and should not have been on the public highway

20 vehicles were found to have no MOT at the time of seizure, the worst offender had allowed their MOT to expire in June 2019, meaning their vehicle had not been professionally inspected by a DVSA approved operator for three years. Vehicles being driven without an MOT are potential dangers to the public and this enforcement action has helped to make the roads safer.

The enforcement teams travel in vehicles equipped with number plate recognition cameras, and any vehicle spotted on the road that isn’t taxed or has declared SORN, risks being clamped or impounded.

This action aims to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles the council has to deal with and help keep nuisance and potentially unsafe vehicles off the streets. Rapid removal of untaxed vehicles also reduces the opportunities of vandalism.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm said:

We’ve already seen nearly 200 vehicles identified as part of this enforcement action since mid May which is helping to take unsafe and illegal vehicles off our roads.

Untaxed vehicles can be a menace, and any abandoned vehicles become the local authority’s responsibility, with the council tax payer picking up the bill. This work helps us to keep our streets cleaner and safer and means we can take action against offenders.

DVLA Enforcement Spokesperson Elaine Rees said:

We make it as easy as possible to tax your vehicle. We send reminders weeks before the vehicle tax is due explaining the ways you can choose to tax, including spreading the cost with direct debit, and it’s really simple to check online if your vehicle is taxed.

Getting clamped is expensive and inconvenient, so you should always make sure your vehicle is taxed correctly before using it.

The contractors have the authority to clamp and remove untaxed vehicles and charge a fee for the removal of the clamp or the return of the vehicle.  They are authorised to sell vehicles if they are not collected within the times set out, with the associated fees settled.