At a glance if could be an art installation, shortlisted for The Turner Prize. Or the work of a drunken prankster out on the town. A pile of cones have appeared in Manchester city centre hiding a car underneath.
It is actually a smart stunt by the DVLA to get across their message that not taxing your vehicle has consequences. The ruse is being used in cities across the UK.
Last year just under 29,000 enforcement actions were taken against untaxed vehicles in Manchester, including fines, penalties, and clamping. However, more than one of these may have been taken against the same vehicle. The DVLA has launched a new advertising campaign in the highest evading areas across the UK reminding motorists of the real risk of failing to tax their vehicles on time.
READ MORE: What can you do if a car is blocking your drive? Your rights if someone parks in front of your house
The message is clear to motorists – if you do not tax your vehicle on time, DVLA will take action - and a sign next to the pile of cones in Manchester, says "Hard to hide, easy to tax". The stunt coincides with an advertising blitz on radio, poster sites, social media, digital channels and in print.
As well as automated enforcement penalties for registered keepers of untaxed vehicles, DVLA’s enforcement teams and wheelclamping partners also travel around the UK as part of their day-to-day activity taking action against untaxed vehicles. Over 98% of vehicles are correctly taxed but the two per cent who break the law are being pursued.
The DVLA says: "This year’s campaign focuses on the clear message that untaxed cars are ‘hard to hide, easy to tax’ and for those that continue to flout the rules, the consequences include financial penalties, court action, clamping and even the loss of a car."
Vehicles can be taxed online, a service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or taxing at the Post Office and even spreading the cost using direct debit. DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard said: "This campaign has a clear message for anyone that delays or avoids taxing their vehicle. It really has never been easier to tax a vehicle, from using our 24/7 online service to direct debit options. We want motorists to understand that it's not worth taking a risk and always tax their vehicles on time."
Motorists can go online, 24 hours a day, to tax a vehicle or check whether their vehicle tax is up to date.
The total enforcement action including fines, penalties, and clamping against untaxed vehicles in UK cities last year were: London, 97,013; Birmingham, 52,073; Manchester, 28,703; Glasgow, 25,304; Sheffield, 24, 962; Cardiff, 24,159; Nottingham, 21,810; Bristol, 20,018; Newcastle, 18,890; Swansea, 18,220; Leeds, 14,930; Reading, 14,573.
