Forums Forums National News Car tax disc to be axed after 93 years

The tax disc to show motorists have paid vehicle excise duty is to be replaced with an electronic system, Chancellor George Osborne is to announce in his Autumn Statement.

The disc was introduced in 1921 but officials say it is no longer needed with the DVLA and police now relying on an electronic register.

The new system will allow people to pay the charge by monthly direct debit.

The Treasury said it showed government was moving "into the modern age".

It would also make "dealing with government more hassle free", a spokesman added.

At present, motorists are able to choose whether they pay VED in twelve or six month instalments.

The latter option costs 10% extra each year, but this is expected to be cut to 5%.

The new option of paying by monthly direct debit is also expected to cost 5% more than paying for a full year in one go.

The changes are expected to come into effect in October 2014.

In the 2012 Budget, the government announced its intention to bring in a direct debit system for paying VED and said it would seek the views of motoring groups on the merits of such a change.

It also said it would "consider whether to reform VED over the medium term".

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Analysis

image of Richard Westcott
Richard Westcott
BBC transport correspondent
Frankly, this change won't make a great deal of difference to most drivers, apart from removing a little bit of admin from their lives. (Yes, I do know that some people have a sentimental attachment to that small disc in the window that is usually a bit torn from trying to remove it from its perforations).

Just like now, you'll still be able to buy it online and at the Post Office, you just won't get a physical disc. You'll still get a reminder in the post a few weeks before it runs out. And you'll be able to check how long you've got left online too.

For the first time you'll also be able to pay by direct debit, for an extra 5% administration fee.

The fact is that the majority of tax evaders are caught using police cameras that automatically check your number plate, rather than someone actually looking in your window. Around 44m tax discs were issued last year. It's thought around a 800,000 people were caught driving without paying.

On Twitter, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Money Box Paul Lewis wondered how prospective buyers of second-hand cars would know in future when the vehicle excise duty paid would expire.

"How will people tell if [a] vehicle's been abandoned?" he added.

After the demise of the paper disc, the Telegraph's Steve Hawkes said, enforcing the digital system would entail greater use of surveillance cameras.

"More personal data lodged and presumably sold on then," he commented.

Vehicle tax was introduced in the 1888 Budget and the system of excise duty applying specifically to motor vehicles was introduced with the Roads Act 1920, with the tax disc appearing the following year.

Source

yay no more crappy stickers on my windows

About time.
Are we the last to do this ?
I know its been electronic in other eu countries.

Any other utility charges less if you pay by direct debit because there is LESS admin involved but the government is going to charge more! Not surprised in the least!!!