The DVLA joins the scammers’ ranks

The car tax disc has gone - and in its place has come a system whereby vehicle tax is cancelled automatically when ownership is transferred, much to the chagrin of motorists who have been caught out by the new rules. Photograph: PA/PA Wire

Thank you for your article (Road rage as tax disc loophole leaves honest drivers facing massive fines, 11 April) alerting us to the new rule on taxing a vehicle when it is transferred, even it seems between family members.

Despite the DVLA’s claims that it has been widely publicised I had never heard of this new rule. I have just had a tax reminder and there was nothing on that or in the envelope. I have looked on their website. Big banner informing us of the change? No – buried in the smallprint of the abolition of the tax disc – which has been widely trawled. And what’s the point of it? It seems entirely stupidly bureaucratic for no great gain – except to the DVLA’s coffers by trapping the unwary.

This is typical of the Britain we now live in. The banks are scammers. The insurance companies are scammers. The budget airlines are scammers. The energy companies are scammers. We have scammers cold-calling us six times a day. Now a government agency has joined the party. This is merely legalised theft.
David Quinn
London