Spy system to track vehicle tax avoiders

A fresh attempt to track down motorists who avoid paying their road tax is on the way.

A new automatic number plate recognition system (ANPR) is to be deployed on Manx roads, to trace the estimated three per cent of vehicles being driven without a valid vehicle licence disc.

The system scans registrations as vehicles drive past, regardless of their speed of how heavy traffic is.

It's been jointly developed by Isle of Man police and the Department of Infrastructure who promise strict guidelines are in place to ensure the system does not breach the Data Protection Act.

Number plates picked up by ANPR will be checked against an official database to determine whether the vehicle duty has been paid.

If not, reminders will be issued or legal action taken against the owner.