Drivers have slammed the Government for major car tax changes that were introduced at the start of April, calling the price hikes “totally unfair”.
The Government announced the price hikes in the Autumn Statement last year, stating that Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) would rise in line with inflation.
It comes at a time when drivers are already dealing with expensive costs through car insurance, rising repair prices and the fluctuating cost of petrol and diesel.
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One driver said the VED increases were 'totally unfair'
PAThe move to increase the rate of car tax has been met with backlash from drivers who are likely to see the total cost of their bills increase.
One reader told GB News that the car tax increases introduced at the start of the month were unnecessary since the money was not going towards motoring issues.
They said: “I cannot believe the sheer b****y gall of our Chancellor to impose these increases, given the state of our roads with potholes etc.
“I do not blame our councils; they are not given the funding that they need to improve things. The RAC estimates that at least £14billion is needed now to start to put things right.
“Successive thieving governments take vast amounts of money from the motorist in VED, but then use this money for all sorts of other issues, and not on the roads.
“They have more than enough funding to fix these problems, but don't because they steal this money to use it anywhere except for where it should be used.”
Another reader claimed: “Yet another method used by this crazy Government in an attempt to FORCE us to go electric!
“Question: Are the fleet of limos that are used by ministers, MPs, top civil servants going to be changed to electric?”
A third commenter said: “Tories painting a target on their own supporters again. Double council tax on my annex and this on my road tax.”
Not all drivers, however, will see their car tax prices increase. The Government highlighted in the Autumn Statement that it was looking to support the UK’s haulage sector.
Vehicle Excise Duty for HGVs and the HGV levy will both remain at 2023-24 rates for 2024-25.
Other commenters suggested that other measures should be taken to reduce emissions and deal with polluting vehicles already on the road.
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Electric cars remain exempt from VED until April 2025
PAOne driver added: “The most polluting vehicles are those that are so called modified by young men and ladies to look "cool".
“As well as being dangerously modified they emit more pollution because of removing items from the exhausts, which is quite illegal. It's time the law did something.”