Urgent warning for drivers as cars are seized due to basic mistake – here’s how to avoid being caught out

DRIVERS are warned to ensure all their details are up to date or they could face having their beloved car towed.

A simple mistake has given many car owners a major headache after police and the DVLA began impounding vehicles.

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A new crackdown on “untaxed vehicles” has begun and drivers in Birmingham witnessed a mass towing of their cars on Good Friday.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said Birmingham Police officers have helped assist the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the seizure of 27 vehicles.

They said: “A friendly reminder to everyone to make sure you obey road traffic laws and tax your vehicles.”

Motorists have to pay annual taxes on their vehicles, and while most comply, others are cracked down on.

If a car owner isn’t taxed, they can face fines, courts, vehicle clips, and even confiscation.

However, if you own an electric car or van, you’re in luck until 2025 – until then your car will remain tax-exempt.

Not sure which tax rate you have for your vehicle? Visit GOV.UK to find out how to make sure your engine doesn’t get towed.

However, electric drivers have not been spared – recently there have been warnings of possible hefty fines for car owners.

If you stay too long at e-charging stations, you can expect a fine.

A driver had his van charged overnight at a service station on the M4 and expected to pay £26 – but was horrified when he had to pay a £123 overage charge, the Times reported.

A shock for many e-car owners, because even fast chargers take longer than filling up with petrol.

Motorists even feared leaving their cars charged while running errands or eating at restaurants.

Fees are also charged in many other areas if drivers use charging points for too long.

In London, ESB Energy will charge you £8 after an hour at 350 charging points.

GeniePoint charges an overage fee of £10 after 90 minutes and £10 for every 90 minutes thereafter.

Tesla has also charged an overage fee of 50p, or £1 per minute, across its network depending on how busy the charging station is.

It comes as experts said a series of issues have put drivers off buying electric cars.

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