Tax dodging hauliers will have their trucks clamped
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• The Chancellor's threat to beat vehicle excise duty evaders by clamping their vehicles will extend to LGVs, the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency has confirmed.
The three-month pilot scheme run in London earlier this year was restricted to cars and vans because clamping contractors had neither the equipment nor the storage space to clamp and impound LGVs. But the contractors being invited to tender for the nationwide scheme are being told that they must be able to clamp, tow away and store all sizes of cars, buses, vans and trucks. VED evasion among LGVowners is on the increase, says Hywel Harris, the DVLAs enforcement manager. At any one time, he estimates 15,000 untaxed LGVs are running on UK roads, costing the Exchequer around £24m a year in last revenue.
Truck operators will face the same flat-rate unclamping fees and fines as car and van owners.
Having a clamp removed will cost £68 on top of the unpaid tax. Vehicles not claimed within 24 hours will be towed away and impounded, incurring a release fee of £135 and storage charges of £12 per day.
Any vehicles not claimed will be scrapped or sold at auction; tax evaders also face prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000.
The DVLA expects to launch the scheme in England, Scotland and Wales from late Spring next year. There are no plans to introduce wheelclamping in Northern Ireland because of security fears.