DVLA urges all drivers UK drivers to do 'five minute' check or risk £1,000 fine

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has taken to social media, advising motorists to check that their vehicles' tax is up to date - unless there is an exemption. It turns out that a very small number - two per cent - of cars have this done properly, so completing this quick task could save you on major hassle.

On Tuesday, the government department, which maintains vehicle registration and licensing, said that taking "five minutes" to check tax would "make life a little easier".

Motorists who do not tax their vehicle can be hit with huge fines, either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater. The also risk being taken to court and can even have their vehicles clamped or impounded, Liverpool Echo reports.

Its advice on Twitter 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.

"Make life a little easier, it only takes around five minutes, http://gov.uk/dvla/account #DVLADigital".

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Once you have an online account you can use it to:

• 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

Cars that are exempt from car tax include cars used by someone with a disability, historic cars and vehicles that are SORN approved that don't actually go on the road.

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