RAC reacts to new official data showing number of untaxed vehicles has more than doubled since 2013

RAC chief engineer David Bizley said: “These are very worrying and disappointing statistics indeed. Sadly, the concerns we raised about the number of car tax evaders going up at the time the tax disc was confined to history have become a reality.

“Prior to the new system going live last October the RAC made the point that enforcement would principally be carried out by automatic number plate recognition cameras as is the case with motor insurance where the exact number of evaders is not fully known, although the figure is thought to be over one million.

“The number of untaxed vehicles in Great Britain has more than doubled from 230,000 in 2013 to 531,000 in the latest statistics and is now at its highest level for eight years. The loss in revenue for the Government is significant having risen from £35m in 2013 to an estimated £80m now and, it has to be pointed out, far exceeds the forecast £10m efficiency saving.

“We really cannot afford for this to increase again for the sake of both road safety and the country’s finances. Hopefully, much of the increase in evasion is due to the system being new and these figures will reduce as motorists become more familiar with how it works.

“The RAC believes it is vital that this survey is repeated in 12 months’ time – if not sooner – rather than in the normal two-year period so we can establish once and for all whether the increase is simply a temporary result of the new system. If, however, evasion continues to increase, then action will have to be taken swiftly.”