Car tax issues prompt 28,000 drivers to illegally remove wheel clamps despite DVLA crackdown

Felix Reeves
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:03:44 +0000

Thousands of drivers have illegally freed themselves from wheel clamps, according to new data, with experts warning that dangerous vehicles could still be on the road.

New data from transport minister Simon Lightwood outlined that 28,642 "immobilisation devices" were unlawfully removed from cars last year.

Wheel clamps can be applied to vehicles if they are untaxed on a public road, even if they have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), or not on a public road but have not been declared SORN.

Drivers may also have their vehicles clamped by bailiffs if they have debts to their local council or have unpaid penalty charge notices.

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Speaking today, transport minister Simon Lightwood confirmed that thousands of motorists had illegally removed wheel clamps in 2025.

Previous data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) reported that more than 150,000 untaxed vehicles had been clamped in 2025.

The DVLA has enforcement teams, in addition to contractors, to tackle the scourge of untaxed vehicles on roads across the country.

If Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) has not been paid on the cars or vans, and the owner refuses to pay, the vehicles will be taken to an impound.

DVLA estimates show that 98.7 per cent of drivers pay their VED at the right time, with only a small minority flouting rules.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, warned that untaxed vehicles, as well as their owners, are "likely a threat to other road users.

He continued, saying: "Untaxed vehicles can be a menace for a number of reasons: they may be uninsured, not have an MOT and probably racked up tickets for speeding and other traffic offences.

"The fact that someone has the know-how and kit to remove an enforcement clamp suggests that these are the vehicles the authorities most want to impound."

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The number of clamps illegally removed from vehicles represented a huge 37 per cent rise from the total of 20,855 reported two years earlier.

In January, the DVLA launched a new campaign entitled "Nobody Wins", which highlighted the consequences of failing to tax a vehicle.

The campaign featured a talking clamp, named Clampy, which encourages and reminds drivers to ensure their cars have been taxed.

The "down-on-his-luck talking wheel clamp" is designed to emphasise the literal frustration of being stuck when a clamp is attached to their vehicle, the DVLA stated.

The combined total of vehicles clamped in London took top spot for all postcode areas in the country, with 16,557 offences identified.

This was followed by Manchester (9,174), Birmingham (7,369), Cardiff (4,213) and Glasgow (4,207), rounding out the top five worst offending areas.

Tim Moss CBE, DVLA chief executive, said: "Most drivers keep their vehicle tax up to date, but if you don't tax your vehicle on time the consequences can be significant.

"Having your vehicle clamped is avoidable, as taxing your vehicle is quick and easy to do. You can also pay by Direct Debit, which helps make sure you stay on top of renewals and lets you spread the cost if you want to."