Middlesbrough Police has announced a crackdown on vehicles being used without road tax (Image: Getty)
Drivers looking to have been urged to think twice before dodging one necessary fee, as that could come with .
As the and remains expensive for many, has launched a crackdown on dangerous vehicles, including .
Councillor Janet Thompson noted that the move has already found a number of vehicles being used for other illegal purposes, such as smuggling drugs.
She explained: “This is another brilliant example of the sort of partnership working that makes a real difference to entire neighbourhoods.
“Untaxed and uninsured vehicles are often used in criminal activity which causes a blight to the community – and that’s starkly illustrated by the haul of drugs found in one such vehicle only last month.”
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Drivers who use an untaxed vehicle in the area could risk it being seized with a £100 release bill (Image: Getty)
A collaboration between Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Police, the crackdown is particularly focused at targetting vehicles that are untaxed or abandoned.
Any untaxed vehicles spotted by the authorities are seized, with owners having to pay a hefty £100 release fee, which can rise to £200 if the owner fails to collect the car within 24 hours.
Owners may also face a further £300 penalty and six licence points from the police if the vehicle is also uninsured, with drivers unable to get cover for a vehicle without valid road tax.
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Electric car owners will need to pay road tax for the first time in April 2025 as the exemption ends (Image: Getty)
The crackdown comes at a time when road tax is due to rise for a growing number of motorists. Whilst drivers were spared the introduction of a pay-per-mile system in the Autumn Budget, owners of electric vehicles will be charged tax for the first time from April 2025.
New car buyers will also be subject to higher tax rates in 2025, with Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates doubling for many models in a bid to encourage drivers to choose cleaner models, such as electric vehicles and hybrids.
The most expensive new cars to tax from April 2025 will be those producing more than 255g/km of carbon dioxide, which will be subject to a £5,490 bill – an increase of £2,745 compared to the current rate.
Nevertheless, in a blog post, the RAC highlighted that running a vehicle without paying the necessary tax is a serious offence that could cause it to be clamped and the driver subject to serious penalties.
They added: “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.”