Spike in untaxed vehicles after 2020 lockdown

ANPR cameras identify 449 drivers without valid tax

The number of drivers being caught without car tax spiked after last year's lockdown.

The Department of Infrastructure's Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras found 449 motorists to be on the road without a valid vehicle licence in 2020.

Just 27 of those were prior to lockdown restrictions coming into force in March.

ANPR use was halted on the Island's roads until after coronavirus measures were lifted, resuming in July, when 56 untaxed vehicles were identified.

A further 103 were found in August, while September rose to 131.

The DoI says it increased the amount of time ANPR is deployed from July after being unable to use the cameras during lockdown.

Letters are sent to the registered owners once they're found not to have a valid tax disc.