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Motorists could face hefty penalties if they don't pay car tax (Image: Getty)
Motorists could be fined up to £2,500 if road users fail to pay their car tax bills, according to officials and experts.
Registered vehicles on UK roads must be taxed and insured at all times meaning it is a legal requirement to have a valid term in place.
However, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) tax evasion can take several forms with motorists handed different fines depending on the severity of the breach.
From simply forgetting to tax a vehicle to getting behind the wheel of an untaxed model, road users can be slapped with serious penalties if they don't comply with the rules.
With charges ranging up to four-figure rates, cash-strapped road users could be dealt a hefty blow this February.
Officials have the power to clamp untaxed vehicles (Image: Getty)
According to GOV.UK, motorists will first be issued a late licensing penalty (LLP) if the system automatically detects tax has not been paid.
This LLP is set at £80 but charges can be reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days.
Officials warn that the case will be referred to a debt collection agency if the charge is never settled.
Charges start to rise if motorists are caught using an untaxed vehicle without having a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) in place.
Breakdown experts at the RAC explained: “If you are caught using an untaxed vehicle on a public road without a SORN then an out-of-court settlement letter will be issued.
“The fine is £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax.
“If not paid, as a criminal offence, the case may be followed through the magistrates’ court where the penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.”
But, the biggest penalties are reserved for those who decide to drive their car with a SORN in place.
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This suggests that individuals knew the car wasn’t taxed and decided to get behind the wheel regardless.
An out-of-court settlement (OCS) letter will be issued with bills set at £30 plus twice the outstanding tax.
If this is ignored, road users could be hit with an eye-watering £2,500 bill or up to five times the amount of tax still chargeable.
According to GOV.UK, motorists could also risk having their vehicle clamped with an extra £100 fee to get the disc removed.
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