Two campaigns to catch tax dodgers
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• Licensing officials are targeting truck tax dodgers in two separate campaigns.
In southern and central England, every truck going through a Vehicle Inspectorate testing station without a valid tax disc will be reported.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) says it will chase up the owners; if they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation they could face fines of up to .£23,000 plus back duty and costs. Offenders will also be reported to the Traffic Commissioner.
Haydn Madoc, the DVLA's head of enforcement, says: "Honest HGV operators who regularly pay their road tax are fed up with seeing this hard core who regularly dodge payment."
The second blitz begins on Monday (12 March); police and DULA officials will be checking cars as well as trucks throughout Wales. Parked vehicles without valid tax discs will be clamped, then impounded after 24 hours. Apart from being fined, owners will be charged 2135 to release their vehicles, plus 112 a day storage.
There are estimated to be 13,000 unlicensed trucks nationwide, representing £24m a year in lost revenue.