Companies are contacting the DVLA in droves as they slap billions of pounds worth of fines on drivers. Transport for London (TfL) has requested details of more than 4.4 million drivers alone as the war on motorists worsens.
Motorist experts have warned that the introduction of ULEZ in London, and Clean Air Zones across the country, will continue to hit drivers in the pocket. One expert said that motoring fines could reach “record-breaking heights” in the coming years.
There have been £2 billion worth of parking and traffic fines this year so far. A whopping 43 percent of this revenue came from parking fines.
Iain Reid, head of editorial at Carwow, said the war against motorists was not going to die down but instead get worse. He said: “It’s clear from the number of requests for vehicle keeper data being made year on year that registered private companies and public authorities are clamping down on parking and traffic violations.”
Mr Reid continued: “The introduction of Clean Air Zones and Ultra-Low Emission Zones over recent years is likely to have a large role in the growth in fines.
“Figures have been rising in line with the introduction and further expansion of Ulez in London, and with Clean Air Zones being introduced in cities as recently as December 2023, it’s possible that fines could reach record-breaking heights.”
Mr Reid said that checking whether your car is compliant with roads before setting off on a drive will become part of the routine for motorists in the future.
He explained: “As multiple new laws have come into effect regarding Clean Air Zones, we would encourage all drivers to spend extra time planning your route, checking the rules of the roads being entered and whether your car is compliant or not.
“We tend to get complacent in areas where we drive most frequently. So, staying alert to new signage and regulations can save you time and money. Otherwise, you could get caught out.”
Private companies pay £2.50 per request to DVLA, according to figures, handing the agency a hefty £25.8 million sum this year so far.
The cost of driving has become a major election issue this year. Last week, the Tories vowed to scrap Outer London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) if they were re-elected. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeatedly accused Labour of launching a “war on drivers”.
Labour called the Tory plan “desperate stuff” while the Liberal Democrats said the Conservatives have had since August to act on ULEZ.
Under ULEZ, drivers of the most polluting vehicles must pay a £12.50 daily charge if they use almost any road within Greater London, on top of any tolls or the inner London Congestion Charge.
ULEZ proved controversial when London Mayor Sadiq Khan expanded it into outer London boroughs, including areas such as Bromley, Croydon, Heathrow Airport and Wembley. Vandals have damaged ULEZ cameras and signage.
However, a 2023 study from the University of Bath found that earlier 2019 Ulez measures in inner London had both produced health and economic benefits for the city.
