Urgent warning for drivers as cars are seized due to basic mistake

DRIVERS are being warned to make sure all of their details are up to date, or they could face having their beloved car towed away.

A simple mistake has become a huge headache for many car owners, after police and DVLA began seizing vehicles.

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A new crackdown has begun on “untaxed vehicles”, and Birmingham drivers witnessed a mass towing of their cars on Good Friday.

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Police shared that Birmingham police officers have helped assist the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency seize 27 vehicles.

They said: “A friendly reminder to all to ensure you are following Road Traffic laws and taxing your vehicles.”

Motorists are required to pay yearly tax on their vehicles, and while most comply, others are facing crackdown.

If left untaxed, a car owner can face fines, court, vehicle clamps and even impoundment.

If you own an electric car or van, however, you’re in luck until 2025 – your car remains tax-exempt until then.

Unsure of your tax rate for your vehicle? Head to GOV.UK to find out to make sure your motor doesn’t get towed.

Electric drivers haven’t been left unscathed, though – a recent warning was issued about possible hefty fines for the car owners.

If you spend too long at electric charging points, you could face a penalty.

One driver left his van charging overnight at a service station on the M4, expecting to pay £26 – but he was left horrified when a he had to pay an overstay charge of £123, the Times reported.

It comes as a shock to many electric car owners, since even rapid car chargers take longer than filling up with petrol.

Drivers have even been scared to leave their cars charging while running errands or eating at restaurants.

Plenty of other areas will start charging fees if drivers use charging points for too long as well.

In London, ESB Energy charges you £8 after an hour at 350 charge points.

At GeniePoint, you pay an overstay charge of £10 after 90 minutes, and £10 for every 90 minutes after that.

Tesla has also had an overstay fee of 50p or £1 per minute on its network, depending on how busy the charging station is.

It comes as experts said drivers were put off from buying electric cars due to a series of problems.

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