ABD blasts surcharge on 6-month tax payment
Posted by Fiona Birkwood
The Association of British Drivers (ABD) has criticised the government for the surcharge it imposes on people paying road tax every six months, rather than 12.
Even though the DVLA offers the choice of payments, it adds an 11 per cent additional cost on to anyone paying for six months' road tax, which the ABD feels is very unfair to poor drivers who cannot afford to pay the full 12 months at once.
Nigel Humphries, an ABD spokesperson, said that in the past, it was feasible for the DVLA to charge more for a six-month renewal due to the "laborious process" it entailed.
However, "these days one click of a mouse checks [the MOT and insurance documents], either via online renewals or at a post office and electronic payment methods are cheap", he added, suggesting the additional costs the DVLA incurs are fairly minimal.
Recently, the DVLA launched a new advertising campaign to illustrate the new law for uninsured cars.
From June 20th, motorists will receive a fine if they have not insured their vehicle, even if it is not in use.
We don’t have a road tax per se in the States but our general income taxes probably includes maintenance for roads. By law all cars here have to be registered, even unused one. You can actually get your car impounded here in California if you don’t pay your registration. If it gets impounded it takes almost $1,000 to get it out.