A pensioner from Newcastle was prosecuted over a £20 car tax bill he claims was accidentally unpaid in January. The magistrate spared the pensioner, who has Parkinson's, an additional fine, ordering only that he pay compensation to the DVLA.
The DVLA can pursue unpaid car tax when initial penalties are left unaddressed. Allowing fines to go unpaid can significantly increase the overall cost and, depending on how the untaxed vehicle was identified, could even lead to criminal prosecution.
Driving a SORN vehicle on a public road
A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is an official declaration to the DVLA that a vehicle is exempt from requiring tax or insurance. It is only valid if the vehicle is kept off public roads, such as when selling a car parked on a driveway.
If caught driving a SORN vehicle on a public road, the DVLA may issue an out-of-court settlement comprising a £30 fine plus twice the outstanding vehicle tax. The vehicle may also be subject to clamping.
Should the fine remain unpaid, the matter can be referred to a magistrates' court as a criminal offence. If found guilty, the penalty is £2,500 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.
Wheel clamping charges
Having a vehicle clamped results in a range of charges and possible penalties, each with strict deadlines before costs escalate:
- £100 clamp release fee - payable within the first 24 hours
- £200 impound release fee - payable once the vehicle is removed to a vehicle pound
- £21 per day storage fee - beginning once the vehicle is removed to the vehicle pound
- £25 fee if V62 is supplied for a new keeper
Driving an untaxed vehicle
Driving an untaxed vehicle on a public road can lead to an out-of-court settlement letter with a fine of £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding tax owed. If unpaid, the DVLA may treat it as a criminal offence and refer the case to a magistrates' court, where the penalty is whichever is greater between £1,000 and five times the tax chargeable.
The same process applies to those identified as having an untaxed vehicle through their vehicle record. Further charges may be applied and the vehicle could also be clamped.
According to the RAC, more than 150,000 untaxed vehicles were clamped across the UK in 2025.
