UK drivers have been issued an important update that could result in hefty penalties if missed.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has taken to social media, advising motorists to check that their vehicles’ tax is up to date – unless there is an exemption. It turns out that a very small number – two per cent – of cars have this done properly, so completing this quick task could save you on major hassle.
On Tuesday, the government department, which maintains vehicle registration and licensing, said that taking “five minutes” to check tax would “make life a little easier”.
Motorists who do not tax their vehicle can be hit with huge fines, either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater. The also risk being taken to court and can even have their vehicles clamped or impounded, Liverpool Echo reports.
Its advice on Twitter said :”Do you know when your vehicle tax is due? With a driver and vehicles account, you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email.
“Make life a little easier, it only takes around five minutes, http://gov.uk/dvla/account #DVLADigital”.
Once you have an online account you can use it to:
- view your driving record, for example vehicles you can drive
- check your penalty points or disqualifications
- add and view details of your vehicles – including when the MOT expires
- check the tax rates for your vehicles
- set up vehicle tax reminders by email and SMS – if you pay tax every 6 or 12 months
- choose to stop getting vehicle tax reminders by post
- renew your photocard driving licence
Cars that are exempt from car tax include cars used by someone with a disability, historic cars and vehicles that are SORN approved that don’t actually go on the road.
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Drivers are just realising why they should pay attention to white lines on roads
Sticking to the speed limit when driving is very important.
Not only is this vital to keep yourself and other motorists safe, it should also help you to avoid racking up hefty fines or points on your licence.
It’s not always obvious how fast you can drive in different areas, so there are some tips and tricks to help you along the way. One of these involves looking at white markings in front of you on the road.
These horizontal lines tend to show that the area is being monitored by speed cameras, so you should always be wary of how quickly you are travelling.
While some drivers will already be aware of this information, others were completely oblivious about it. On Reddit, one driver asked: “What are these horizontal lines for? I couldn’t seem to find anything on them.” And another admitted: “I’ve seen these markings on the M25, but my mum and I have absolutely no idea what they mean.”
Following the confusion, a motoring expert posted advice onto TikTok’s @drivingtestsuccess page. The clip, which shows a car driving over the horizontal lines, adds: “Speed cameras use them to measure a vehicle’s position relative to the white lines in order to calculate speed”.
While some said the video was helpful, others said they were already aware of the markings. One commenter even insisted: “If one doesn’t know these lines you shouldn’t be driving.”
How to avoid speeding tickets in the UK
- Know and obey speed limits – typically it’s 30mph in built up areas, 60mph on single carriageways and 70mp on dual carriageways and motorways
- Be mindful of road signs – there are areas that drop down to 20mph, or instances where the speed limit is reduced, so be sure to keep an eye out for road signs
- Watch out for speed cameras – you can do this by looking out for the white marks on the road too
- Get a good Sat-Nav – many of these devices offer information about how fast you can drive in different areas
- Drive defensively – it’s better to be safe than sorry, so always prepare to alter your course if needed
- Avoid distractions – when you’re on the road, focus on your driving. Do not use mobile phones or do anything that can distract you
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It’s the ‘biggest project in area since M60 was built’ – but it will cause a LOT of disruption
Drivers and railway passengers have been warned to prepare for disruption when a major route in Stockport is closed for a year while a bridge is replaced. Work at the Greek Street roundabout by Network Rail is set to begin in spring 2025 as part of a £16m project, after the 1958 Greek Street bridge was found to be ‘at the end of its life’.
Diversion routes for pedestrians, cyclists, buses, and motorists are being planned to manage the roads in the area while the work takes place over the West Coast main line. Rail closures are also required during Easter, summer and autumn 2025 while engineers carry out the replacement, with ‘some preparation work’ required at the site this Christmas.
Network Rail said that passengers will be ‘advised on what this means for them with plenty of time to plan their journeys’. The project will see the 58-metre-wide bridge demolished and rebuilt.
Engineers will construct a temporary bridge to reroute existing utility services such as water and electricity, and the road layout will be removed in a way that does not damage the bridge structure while the railway is in operation.
The demolition work will take place over 20 days in August 2025 when the bridge, which is made of about 200 concrete beams, will be removed and the new one installed in its place.
Last year, Stockport council gave approval for new road, cycle, and pedestrian improvements to take place while the roundabout is closed. During a town hall meeting in October 2023, councillor Matt Wynne said the project would be ‘the most significant civil engineering project that we’ve seen in this borough in the central Stockport area since the M60 being built in terms of disruption and the knock-on effect’.
The bridge replacement is also a key part of the council’s campaign to bring the Metrolink to Stockport, which could be linked to the town centre via East Didsbury in future.
Coun Grace Baynham, cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services at Stockport council, said: “Greek Street is a major route in and out of our town centre and it is essential that these works to replace the bridge below the roundabout are carried out as soon as possible, especially as we look for the bridge to be designed for our future plans to bring the Metrolink to Stockport.
“The project team will continue to be in close dialogue with residents and businesses locally while the works take place as it is essential that we minimise disruption for both road users and train passengers throughout the project.”
Olivia Boland, Network Rail sponsor, added: “It is a huge job that affects key parts of the rail and road network. We will do everything we can to make sure our passengers, Stockport residents, businesses and visitors are aware of changes to travel options during the work. We’re working closely with Stockport council and our industry partners to minimise the disruption as much as possible.”
Transport for Greater Manchester and Avanti West Coast will be working with Stockport council and Network rail during the work to ‘make sure people are given plenty of notice ahead of any potential disruption’.
