DVLA could issue drivers with £5k fines over simple mistake
The three modifications can result in up to a combined £5,060 in fines and nine licence points.
They are: lowering suspension, adding large spoilers, and tinting windows.
Illegal suspension can risk a £2,500 financial penalty and three penalty points, while spoiler amendments can also mean motorists are fined £2,500 with three points too.
Untaxed cars are hard to hide, easy to tax.
Tax it online on https://t.co/2blbaeYWTv#TaxItDontRiskIt #DVLADigital pic.twitter.com/riPrO1zNLi
Julie Daniels from the car insurance team at Compare the Market said: 'No matter how minor the modifications are, any alterations to a car can potentially impact the cost of your car insurance.
"Often it will cost more to insure a modified car because of factors such as: greater possibility of theft, higher risk of speed-related accidents, or simply because your car has increased in value and repairs may now cost more."
Ms Daniels went on: 'If you decide to modify your car while you have an existing insurance policy, you need to notify your provider about the change. Ideally, you should check with your provider before altering your vehicle to find out how it might affect your premium or if there will be any amendment fees involved.'
Tinted windows risk a £60 fine. Police Major Todd Patalano told WLNE-TV: "Tinted windows are a big problem for policing, especially for the patrol division which is out monitoring violations on the roadway every day.'
Recommended reading:
BookMyGarage, the leading car service and repair comparison site, commented: "If not enough light passes through your front windscreen or side windows, you may receive a prohibition notice that stops you from using your vehicle on the road until the tint is removed.
"You may also receive a penalty notice or even a court summons for having wrongly or excessively tinted windows, so make sure the job is done properly.
"We would recommend choosing a licensed bodyshop to tint your car's windows as they will know the rules and provide a high-quality finish that's still legal to drive."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
New EV chargers for anyone without a driveway as major trial hits parts of UK
For years, Brits who don't have a driveway have been forced to pay sky-high prices at public charging stations to keep their electric vehicles (EVs) running — but a new trial is about to change that In a huge victory for electric vehicle (EV) owners, Brits in certain parts of the UK will soon be able to charge their cars at home even if they don't have a driveway. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has approved a cross-pavement charging trial, with the aim of helping EV owners who don't have access to off-street parking. The system involves installing cable channels, known as gullies, beneath the pavements of residential streets. These gullies allow people to run a charging cable across the pavement in a safe and unobtrusive way, making it possible to charge EVs using a home electricity supply. The system is intended for people who live in terraced housing or properties with no driveway — a situation that currently makes at-home vehicle charging difficult. Having been approved by BCP Council, the trial is set to begin sometime in the near future, with the possibility of being expanded to more areas if successful. While residents will be required to cover the cost of installing a gully and charging socket, some of that expense may be reduced through government support. The idea is part of the government's wider efforts to increase EV uptake and infrastructure, as well as expanding access to reliable, affordable EV charging. Local authorities in Devon and Suffolk are also piloting similar schemes, supported by guidance from the Department for Transport. Andy Hadley, BCP Council's portfolio holder for environment, said: "Charging gullies could make owning an electric vehicle a more attractive option for residents that do not have off-street parking. This is exactly the sort of innovative solution that residents have been asking us to provide and is an important part of our wider EV strategy. In addition to making car at-home charging more accessible, we are committed to rolling out more convenient public charging points." The idea reflects a growing push to ensure fairer access to EV technology, particularly in densely populated urban areas. The government identified charging infrastructure as one of the key barriers to EV adoption. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Labour is making it "easier and cheaper" to own an EV. She continued: "We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, and we are tackling that head-on so that everyone — whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric." The news comes as a new £63 million round of government funding looks set to accelerate Britain's EV revolution, including a £25 million scheme for local authorities focused on improving access to at-home charging for households without off-street parking. This includes the introduction of cross-pavement charging technology, which enables families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates, potentially saving them up to £1,500 a year in comparison to running an ICE vehicle. BCP Council discussed the plans in more detail on Wednesday, July 16, voting unanimously in favour of the paper and recommendations they need to bring to council to implement the cross-pavement EV charging trial. The Bill was presented and proposed by Councillor Andy Hadley and seconded by Councillor Richard Burton. Mr Hadley explained that when they previously took the EV charging strategy to council in January 2024, they noted 'a real disparity between the position of somebody who's got a driveway and the ability to charge a car on their own drive, from their own domestic supply, at minimal cost, and people who don't have a driveway and have to use the public infrastructure — the cost per kW is significantly more'. He also laid out the situation regarding the charging infrastructure currently in place in the borough. They have 110 high-capacity public charging devices with 220 sockets, mainly in car parks, and are close to introducing a further 500 locations with 1,000 low-speed (7kW) sockets in residential areas for overnight charging. If the pilot scheme is deemed a success, similar pavement gully systems could appear across more streets in the conurbation, and eventually the nation, helping to support the UK's transition to cleaner, greener transport.
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits offered £3,750 to switchover to EVs but experts warn of huge catch
UK drivers are being offered generous grants worth almost £4,000 as the government unveils its latest investment to make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable. However, many models won't be eligible Brits could get thousands knocked off the price of a new car if they switch over to an electric vehicle (EV) thanks to a major new investment. In an effort to encourage drivers to make the switchover from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs), the government is offering grants cutting the cost of selected models by up to £3,750. However, insiders have highlighted a significant shortcoming with the scheme. The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a new £650 million grant, which is available for three years and applies to any eligible model with a price tag of up to £37,000 — the most sustainably produced and environmentally friendly models qualify for the largest reductions — with the aim of making EVs more affordable for the average British household. Manufacturers can now apply for this grant, and once their models are approved, buyers will see the discounted price directly at dealerships. According to the RAC, these discounted vehicles are expected to be available 'within weeks'. The scheme is part of the government's wider efforts to increase EV uptake, helping the UK meet environmental targets and close in on its goal of banning the sale of new ICE cars by 2030. However, this incentive has prompted mixed reactions from the automotive industry — particularly in terms of its accessibility and effectiveness for ordinary buyers. An expert at Auto Express welcomed the introduction of support for consumers transitioning to EVs, but expressed several concerns regarding the scheme's reach. In a statement sent to the Mirror, Head of digital content at the automotive publication, Steve Walker, said: "EV registrations have been growing steadily and are up nearly 35 per cent year on year. But there are two problems. "First, the rate of uptake still falls below the levels required by the government's ZEV mandate targets for manufacturers. Second, most of these new registrations are being driven by the fleet sector. "It's no coincidence that while businesses and company car users have strong tax incentives to purchase and run EVs, the private buyer has had nothing, not since the old plug-in car grant expired in 2022. Therefore, the prospect of new government assistance to help ordinary families afford a new EV and access the running costs savings that an electric car can bring, will be welcomed across the industry." The ace went on to argue that while any incentive is 'good news', it does not address some of the main barriers to EV uptake. He cited how around 70 per cent of new EVs cost more than £40,000, yet the new grant of up to £3,750 is only available at the point of sale for cars priced at or under £37,000, meaning most models won't qualify. He went on to add that, since April this year, owners of EVs costing £40,000 or more have to pay an additional £410 a year in road tax for five years — a total extra cost of £2,050 — which Auto Express has asked the government to reconsider. While Steve said the new grant is a 'welcome boost', he stressed that it's not enough on its own, arguing that to really speed up private EV adoption, the government must drop the luxury car tax for EVs and improve access to charging points, especially for people without home charging. Responding to the criticism, a Department for Transport spokesperson told the Mirror: "The price cap ensures the Electric Car Grant targets the more affordable end of the market, ensuring funding can reach as many people as possible, rather than spending taxpayer's money subsidising luxury cars. The grant is in addition to the £63 million announced this week to support charging infrastructure, making it cheaper and easier for families, businesses and the public sector to make the switch."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside UK's huge £25m EV boost for Brits who don't have a drive
The UK Government has announced a massive £63m investment package to help make owning an EV easier and more cost-effective, allowing Brits to save up to £1,500 a year Brit electric vehicle (EV) owners are set to benefit from a huge new round of government funding that will improve access to home chargers for everyone — regardless of whether they have a driveway or not. A new £63 million investment is set to accelerate Britain's EV revolution, taking a significant step in the switchover from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric. One of the central features of the initiative is a £25 million scheme for local authorities focused on improving access to at-home charging for households without off-street parking. Through cross-pavement charging technology, cables will be routed safely beneath pavements to connect parked EVs to home electricity supplies. This tech enables families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates at around two pence per mile, potentially saving up to £1,500 a year compared to running an ICE vehicle. The new initiative will build on the UK's ever-growing charging network, which has already reached 82,000 public charge points, with an additional 100,000 expected by 2030 through the government's Local EV Infrastructure Fund, as well as £6 billion of private investment. The NHS will also benefit from an £8 million fund aimed at upgrading over 200 medical sites to electric fleets. Health Minister Karin Smyth branded the move a 'win-win' that will result in 'cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities'. More than 1,200 charging sockets are being rolled out with the aim of reducing emissions and generating long-term savings for the health service, in turn allowing these funds to be reinvested in patient care. Hospitals are expected to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs. The government will also provide grants to help businesses nationwide install chargepoints at their depots. This move supports the transition of heavy goods vehicles, vans and coaches to zero-emission alternatives. Another £400 million, as announced in the spending review, will be used to boost EV charging along strategic road networks to ensure the infrastructure keeps pace with demand, particularly for longer journeys. To help drivers locate charging points more easily, signage will also be improved on major A-roads, directing motorists to nearby EV hubs — these hubs have more than doubled since 2023. Support from industry voices has been strong, with Edmund King of the AA saying: "There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition." This investment is part of the government's Plan for Change, designed to accelerate the move to net zero, back British manufacturing and create greener jobs across the UK, all the while lowering transport costs for families.
