The number of drivers whose vehicles have been clamped for failing to pay vehicle excise duty (VED) has more than doubled since tax discs were abolished, figures have shown.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) said there had been a 166% increase in wheel-clamping operations in the three years to April.



It means as many as 160,000 vehicles were clamped for non-payment last year, with many being towed away.



The percentage increase was included in a DVLA report which was published last week. The DVLA said it could not find the exact figures and instead suggested the Guardian submit a freedom of information request.



However, previously released figures show that about 60,000 cars were being clamped by agencies employed by the DVLA before the tax discs were abolished in October 2014.

The annual report also showed that in the three years to April there had been a 168% increase in out of court settlements for unpaid vehicle tax; a 155% increase in the number of penalties issued; and a 159% increase in prosecutions. Motorists have been charged up to £800 each for not paying their vehicle tax on time.



The increase in enforcement orders for vehicle tax followed the end of the government’s demands for drivers to display a valid tax disc in 2014 and the end of the transfer of tax with a vehicle when bought by a new owner.

The enforcement has increased revenue for the government but will anger motoring organisations who argue that enforcing vehicle tax has become a money-making exercise. About £5.9bn a year is raised from VED.

Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover, said the DVLA should consider bringing back the tax disc in people’s window.



“Without the tax disc, people think that if they don’t pay their car tax they can get away with it. Others simply forget they have to pay. There’s the danger that there is less revenue than there was,” he said.



The government scrapped the need for drivers to display a valid tax disc, saying it would save the taxpayer £10m a year by making the system more efficient.

VED payments are logged in the DVLA database and drivers have been warned that automatic number plate recognition cameras will catch those trying to evade payment.



At the time of the change, some motoring organisations said they were concerned the move could give rise to “a new generation of car tax dodgers” as well as trapping forgetful drivers.



Jack Cousens, a spokesman for the AA, said the DVLA had gone on the attack to clamp down on untaxed vehicles on UK roads.



“With tax discs no longer being issued, many drivers may have inadvertently forgotten to tax their vehicle without the physical reminder on their windscreen. Although the majority get a reminder by post, some won’t as they have failed to inform DVLA of a change of address, while others simply get lost in the post.

“Where drivers remain particularly vulnerable is the protracted process of taxing a vehicle following a private sale. In the past the tax would automatically follow the vehicle, but now the onus is on the new keeper to tax the vehicle before driving it away.”

Philip Gomm of the RAC Foundation said it was still unclear how much non-payment was deliberate and how much was accidental.

“The report highlights major changes to the VED system in recent years and the data suggests there are still too many people unaware that when they buy a car the tax no longer comes with it.



“The best system is one where there is zero non-compliance rather than the need for increased enforcement. If this is to be achieved perhaps better communications with drivers is required.”.

The report said the DVLA administers a wide range of enforcement methods to encourage drivers to license their vehicles on time, as well as taking enforcement action against those who refuse to comply with their legal requirements.



“These range from reminder letters and the issuance of penalties for continued non-compliance, through to prosecution for vehicles used on the road as well as the wheel clamping and seizure of vehicles,” it said.



The DVLA said in the report the 1.4% evasion rate for the tax is equivalent to £78m of lost revenue.



A spokesman was given nearly six hours to find the raw data behind the percentage figures but insisted it could not be identified and instead suggested submitting a freedom of information request.

“It’s easier than ever before to tax your vehicle, and more than 98% of vehicles on the road are correctly taxed. The law is clear and that is why we take action against those who break the law on behalf of the taxpayer,” he said.

The figures also show the DVLA has increased the data being shared with the private parking industry. The records are used by parking companies to chase vehicle owners for alleged infringements of rules in private car parks. The penalty tickets the companies issue are often up to £100 each.



