Thousands of motorists have been issued fines or have had their cars towed away.

Critics say innocent drivers, unaware of rule changes, are being targeted.

Motorists buying used cars are being caught-out by recent rule changes, which mean that Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) cannot be exchanged with ownership – instead the new owner must pay for VED even if the old paper tax disc still has a number of months before expiry.

Official figures show that the use of clamping soared from around 5,000 vehicles a month to over 8,000 now.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency abolished the paper tax disc last autumn, replacing it with a new online system.

Critics claim that the DVLA are operating a ‘money-making’ scam, with many saying that the authority is too quick to penalise motorists.

On their return from holiday, Christopher and Marianna Webb, from Bridport, Dorset, found a bill of £822 to get their Ford Focus back after it had been impounded for non-payment of vehicle excise duty

The couple had swapped cars with each other and informed the DVLA of the change in ownership, without realising it meant the tax for both vehicles would be cancelled.

Mr Webb, 56, told The Guardian: “I feel they are very heavy-handed. Why did they not send a reminder letter?”

A DVLA spokesman has said: “The changes have been widely publicised and we write to every vehicle keeper to remind them of the new rules before the vehicle tax expires.

“We also write to every new vehicle keeper when they buy a used vehicle to inform them that they must tax the vehicle before they use it.

“In addition, if a driver does not tax their car we will send a warning letter to remind them to tax as they are at risk of enforcement action

Posted by: Garage Wire Editor on 13th April 2015