Driving Instructors Branch of Unite the Union January 2014 | Page 9

an electronic register.

The number of visual notifications by the police has fallen by 75% since 2008, the Treasury said.

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

AA roads policy head Paul Watters said: "The tax disc is now technically redundant with real-time online records available to the police and other agencies.

"The disc has been with us a long time and it will take some getting used to not having it. However, reducing bureaucracy, improving efficiency and security will save money that can be better spent on improving other Drive and Vehicle Licensing Agency services."

This does throw up a number of issues for many elderly motorists who are not internet connected or have no means of paying via a bank account.

Driving instructors who conduct lessons in pupils private vehicle will also need to be aware that by using a vehicle that has no VED paid could result in a Fixed Penalty for tax evasion.

Users of Private hire vehicles or taxis will also have to be careful. Hiring a vehicle will also have some risk and you will no doubt ask for some proof that the VED has been paid.

Do you have any thoughts or concerns over this or do you consider it a good idea.

Many have suggested that the whole process is out dated and should be paid for via fuel duty. Simple, the more you use fuel, the more duty you pay.