DVLA issues urgent new 'five minutes' notice to all UK drivers

Image: Derby Telegraph)

The DVLA has sent out a fresh alert to all UK drivers, urging them to take just "five minutes" to check their vehicle tax status and avoid hefty penalties. The government body responsible for maintaining driver and vehicle records is reminding motorists of their duty to ensure their vehicle tax is up to date, with the exception of those vehicles that are exempt.

Drivers who neglect to tax their could face severe fines, court action, and even risk having their cars clamped or seized. According to the DVLA, compliance is high, with less than 2% of vehicles untaxed.

In a recent announcement made on Tuesday, the DVLA encouraged drivers to use their online services to spend "five minutes" to "make life a little easier". In a post on Twitter the DVLA said: "Do you know when your vehicle tax is due? With a driver and vehicles account, you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email!"

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The message continued, promoting the ease of the process: "Make life a little easier, it only takes around 5 minutes, http://gov.uk/dvla/account #DVLADigital".

By setting up an online account, drivers can also:

• view your driving record, for example vehicles you can drive
• check your penalty points or disqualifications
• add and view details of your vehicles - including when the MOT expires
• check the tax rates for your vehicles
• set up vehicle tax reminders by email and SMS - if you pay tax every 6 or 12 months
• choose to stop getting vehicle tax reminders by post
• renew your photocard driving licence

In other news, many motorists are only now discovering the true purpose of the grab handle in their cars - as well as the gas tank locator and a number of other handy features and signals in their vehicles that they may not have known about.

Above each car door, there's usually a handle. You've probably always assumed these are there to give you something to hold onto when the driver takes corners a bit too quickly. But according to cars.com, these handles are actually very useful for someone with limited mobility trying to get in or out of the car. A wheelchair user or anyone lacking leg strength can use them for stability while manoeuvring into a comfortable position. They function similarly to bathroom grab bars.

Here are five more helpful features you may not have known about