How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes
It comes as the DVSA has started using a new company to process payments for roadside fines.
This will enable drivers to use their smartphones at the roadside to pay for several offences.
The DVSA has the authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for various offences related to vehicle condition, driver hours and licensing, impacting both domestic and international drivers.
What could I get a roadside fine for?
Some common offences that could see drivers hit with a DVSA roadside fine are listed below.
Driver's House and Tachograph Offences
Exceeding daily or weekly driving time limits
Not taking required breaks or rest periods
Failing to use a tachograph
Using a defective or tampered tachograph
Falsifying or failing to produce tachograph records
Vehicle Roadworthiness
Driving with defective brakes, tyres, lights, suspension, or steering
Dangerous load securing or overloaded vehicles
Failure to carry out proper daily walkaround checks
Operating an unroadworthy vehicle (may result in a prohibition as well as a fine)
Licencing and Documentation
Driving without a valid driver's licence or correct entitlements (e.g., no HGV licence)
Operating without a valid Operator's Licence
No MOT certificate (if required)
Lack of vehicle insurance or road tax
Failure to produce required documentation (e.g. vehicle registration, insurance)
What is Fuel Duty?
Weight and Load Offences
Overloading axles or gross vehicle weight
Incorrect or dangerous load securing
Incorrect use of trailers
Emissions and Mechanical Defects
Emissions tampering e.g. AdBlue cheat devices or DPF removals
Using a vehicle that does not meet emissions standards
Driver Conduct and Road Safety
Using a mobile phone while driving
Driving without wearing a seatbelt
Poor vehicle condition leading to immediate prohibition
Excessive vehicle noise or emissions
Recommended reading:
Fines can range from £50 to £300 per offence, depending on severity, and multiple fines can be issued at once (for both driver hours and vehicle defects).
Major changes to car tax were also introduced earlier this year, seeing costs go up for many drivers.
Zero and low-emission vehicles such as electric cars used to be exempt by HMRC, but this ended in April.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
HMRC sacks dozens of staff for snooping on taxpayers and accessing their records without permission
One employee was sacked in 2023 having sent the data of 100 people to his personal email address AX RUMBLE HMRC sacks dozens of staff for snooping on taxpayers and accessing their records without permission Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HM Revenue and Customs has sacked dozens of workers after they spied on taxpayers and accessed their records without permission. Fifty workers were let go last year for breaking data privacy rules. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The HMRC says it takes the issue of data security 'extremely seriously' Credit: Getty Since 2022, a total of 354 employees have been disciplined for data security breaches, with 186 having been fired. The tax office has admitted that some of those that were dismissed were found to have looked up taxpayers' confidential information. HMRC holds a huge amount of personal data about taxpayers, including address, salaries and National Insurance numbers. Staff are banned from looking up sensitive information unless they have a genuine business reason. Despite that, a number of employees have been caught accessing personal details using HMRC's IT system. Figures for 2024-25 indicate 96 staff were disciplined for data security breaches, with 50 of those later being dismissed. The information was revealed to The Telegraph following a Freedom of Information request. According to HMRC, that represents less than 0.1 percent of its almost 68,000 employees. The figure is down from the previous year when 138 employees were disciplined and 68 were let go. Those figures cover all data security breaches and not just employees searching for taxpayers' details. HMRC using AI to scan social media for tax evasion investigations These include things like making changes to records without authorisation, losing sensitive documents or not securely disposing of inadequately protected devices. One employee was sacked in 2023 having sent the data of 100 people to his personal email address. The employee was visiting a business as part of a compliance check and he emailed himself a PDF file which contained a list of staff members' details, which included their salaries and National Insurance numbers. The file was later printed off for the meeting using his home computer, according to court documents. The analytics team, which is responsible for highlighting data breaches, then flagged the incident to his line manager and the employee was dismissed for gross misconduct after an investigation was launched. The case was taken to an employment tribunal with the former employee claiming he had not been thinking clearly at the time due to anxiety. The tribunal though threw out his claim for wrongful dismissal. A HMRC manager who was cited in the tribunal claimed data breaches had been on the rise since the pandemic due to remote working. The line manager of the claimant wrote an email to staff reminding them never to send personal data outside the tax office's systems. It said: 'There have been more incidents of this recently as we are working from home a lot more since Covid, but never send anything to your own private email address to print off that contains any personal or business data.' Former HMRC inspectors said the importance of data security was drilled into employees from their very first day. Ronnie Pannu, from the advice firm Pannu Tanu told the paper: 'When I was in HMRC, there was always a strong message from above that viewing a taxpayer's records where this was not necessary for a particular purpose was a serious issue which could have serious consequences for the individual concerned.' John Hood, from the accountancy firm Moore Kingston Smith said: 'Any HMRC employee foolish enough to look up personal information that is not part of their usual responsibilities faces a ticking time bomb as most searches are tracked. 'As an additional security, some parts of the system are restricted so that only specifically authorised personnel can access them, such as the departments dealing with MPs and civil servants'. All HMRC employees are given mandatory data security training and the government body limits access so workers can only look up customer record if it necessary for their specific role. The tax office also tracks activity on its systems in order to deter record breaches and deter misuse. Any employee who breaks the rules is investigated and faces having penalties imposed on them but each incident is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Ellen Milner, from the Chartered Institute of Taxation added that taxpayers must be able to trust that the private information they supply will not be leaked or supplied to criminals. Any serious data breach must be reported to the Information Commissioner's Office. There were six cases last year of employees changing customer records without permission. Another two staff lost inadequately protected devices, according to the HMRC's annual report. The HMRC is currently under mounting pressure to strengthen its data security as online criminal attacks become more sophisticated and it moves towards being a digital-first organisation. In the past year some 100,000 taxpayers had been affected by phishing attacks. Criminals used stolen credentials to access their accounts and claim rebates. There was no financial loss to any individual and a number of arrests have been made. It cost the taxpayer £47million though. A spokesperson for HMRC said: 'Instances of improper access are extremely rare, and we take firm action when it does happen, helping prevent a recurrence. 'We take the security of customers' data extremely seriously and we have robust systems to ensure staff only access records when there is a legitimate business need.' It comes after the HMRC revealed it uses AI to spy on workers' social media posts as part of a tax crackdown. The tax authority has been using the technology to look at internet posts that might provide evidence of cheating tax bills, An HMRC spokesperson has insisted the tools are only being used for social media monitoring in criminal investigations and it won't affect the average taxpayer. They said there are "robust safeguards in place" and it's believed that social media monitoring has been used for a number of years. But concerns have been raised about whether the technology could be used more widely in future. HMRC also looks at workers's financial records, spending habits and tax returns to look for evidence of cheating.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
HMRC sacks dozens of staff for snooping on taxpayers and accessing their records without permission
HM Revenue and Customs has sacked dozens of workers after they spied on taxpayers and accessed their records without permission. Fifty workers were let go last year for breaking data privacy rules. Since 2022, a total of 354 employees have been disciplined for data security breaches, with 186 having been fired. The tax office has admitted that some of those that were dismissed were found to have looked up taxpayers' confidential information. HMRC holds a huge amount of personal data about taxpayers, including address, salaries and National Insurance numbers. Staff are banned from looking up sensitive information unless they have a genuine business reason. Despite that, a number of employees have been caught accessing personal details using HMRC's IT system. Figures for 2024-25 indicate 96 staff were disciplined for data security breaches, with 50 of those later being dismissed. The information was revealed to The Telegraph following a Freedom of Information request. According to HMRC, that represents less than 0.1 percent of its almost 68,000 employees. The figure is down from the previous year when 138 employees were disciplined and 68 were let go. Those figures cover all data security breaches and not just employees searching for taxpayers' details. HMRC using AI to scan social media for tax evasion investigations These include things like making changes to records without authorisation, losing sensitive documents or not securely disposing of inadequately protected devices. One employee was sacked in 2023 having sent the data of 100 people to his personal email address. The employee was visiting a business as part of a compliance check and he emailed himself a PDF file which contained a list of staff members' details, which included their salaries and National Insurance numbers. The file was later printed off for the meeting using his home computer, according to court documents. The analytics team, which is responsible for highlighting data breaches, then flagged the incident to his line manager and the employee was dismissed for gross misconduct after an investigation was launched. The case was taken to an employment tribunal with the former employee claiming he had not been thinking clearly at the time due to anxiety. The tribunal though threw out his claim for wrongful dismissal. A HMRC manager who was cited in the tribunal claimed data breaches had been on the rise since the pandemic due to remote working. The line manager of the claimant wrote an email to staff reminding them never to send personal data outside the tax office's systems. It said: 'There have been more incidents of this recently as we are working from home a lot more since Covid, but never send anything to your own private email address to print off that contains any personal or business data.' Former HMRC inspectors said the importance of data security was drilled into employees from their very first day. Ronnie Pannu, from the advice firm Pannu Tanu told the paper: 'When I was in HMRC, there was always a strong message from above that viewing a taxpayer's records where this was not necessary for a particular purpose was a serious issue which could have serious consequences for the individual concerned.' John Hood, from the accountancy firm Moore Kingston Smith said: 'Any HMRC employee foolish enough to look up personal information that is not part of their usual responsibilities faces a ticking time bomb as most searches are tracked. 'As an additional security, some parts of the system are restricted so that only specifically authorised personnel can access them, such as the departments dealing with MPs and civil servants'. All HMRC employees are given mandatory data security training and the government body limits access so workers can only look up customer record if it necessary for their specific role. The tax office also tracks activity on its systems in order to deter record breaches and deter misuse. Any employee who breaks the rules is investigated and faces having penalties imposed on them but each incident is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Ellen Milner, from the Chartered Institute of Taxation added that taxpayers must be able to trust that the private information they supply will not be leaked or supplied to criminals. Any serious data breach must be reported to the Information Commissioner's Office. There were six cases last year of employees changing customer records without permission. Another two staff lost inadequately protected devices, according to the HMRC's annual report. The HMRC is currently under mounting pressure to strengthen its data security as online criminal attacks become more sophisticated and it moves towards being a digital-first organisation. In the past year some 100,000 taxpayers had been affected by phishing attacks. Criminals used stolen credentials to access their accounts and claim rebates. There was no financial loss to any individual and a number of arrests have been made. It cost the taxpayer £47million though. A spokesperson for HMRC said: 'Instances of improper access are extremely rare, and we take firm action when it does happen, helping prevent a recurrence. 'We take the security of customers' data extremely seriously and we have robust systems to ensure staff only access records when there is a legitimate business need.' It comes after the HMRC revealed it uses AI to spy on workers' social media posts as part of a tax crackdown. The tax authority has been using the technology to look at internet posts that might provide evidence of cheating tax bills, An HMRC spokesperson has insisted the tools are only being used for social media monitoring in criminal investigations and it won't affect the average taxpayer. They said there are "robust safeguards in place" and it's believed that social media monitoring has been used for a number of years. But concerns have been raised about whether the technology could be used more widely in future. HMRC also looks at workers's financial records, spending habits and tax returns to look for evidence of cheating. 2
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Code red' recall for ANOTHER 10,000 cars in UK over worrying ‘explosion' fault – check if you're affected
HIT THE BRAKES 'Code red' recall for ANOTHER 10,000 cars in UK over worrying 'explosion' fault – check if you're affected Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of UK motorists have been told to park up their cars immediately after Citroën and DS models were hit with a rare 'do not drive' safety order over potentially deadly airbags. The highest-level 'stop‑drive' recall affects well over 100,000 vehicles on British roads and has just been widened again, leaving around 10,000 owners unable to use their cars until repairs are completed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A fatal incident in France triggered the UK action. Credit: AFP Makers say they're moving fast, but many drivers have already been without their cars for weeks, and are facing cancelled bookings due to parts shortages. Stellantis says it proactively widened the stop‑drive action to C4, DS4, and DS5 in mid‑August, while DVSA continues to oversee recall compliance. Here's what's going on, the full list of affected cars, and exactly what to do now. Why the 'stop‑drive' order is so serious This isn't a routine recall. It's a code‑red instruction to stop using the car with immediate effect because there's a risk the driver's airbag can explode dangerously when it deploys. The issue involves Takata airbag inflators, which can degrade over time and, in rare cases, rupture and fire metal fragments into the cabin. A fatal incident in France triggered the UK action. With the stakes this high, the manufacturer and the DVSA expect owners to take the notice seriously. That means no school runs, no quick nip to the shops, and crucially, no driving the car to a dealership for a repair. If you're affected, you must arrange for recovery or an at‑home fix via the brand's network. Full list: Citroën and DS models under 'do not drive' Owners of the following cars have been told not to drive until the airbag is replaced. If you see your model and build years below, assume you're affected unless a dealer has already confirmed your car has had a new airbag fitted. Citroën C3 (2009–2019) DS 3 (first generation, including earlier Citroën‑badged DS3) – built 2009–2019 Citroën C4 – built 2010–2011 DS 4 – built 2010–2011 DS 5 – built 2010–2013 The most recent expansion added roughly 9,968 UK cars (C4, DS4, and DS5). In total, near-106,000 Citroën/DS vehicles in Britain are now covered by the stop‑drive action. All UK car dealerships will STOP selling 10,000s of iconic brand's used models impacted by lethal airbag flaw Can I still drive to the garage? No. The stop‑drive instruction means exactly that. Do not use the car on public roads until it's repaired. The maker has been clear that cars must be returned to the workshop or repaired at home. Driving an affected vehicle could carry legal consequences if you're involved in a collision, and insurers may refuse claims on the grounds that the car wasn't safe to be on the road. How to check if your car is on the list Look out for a red‑bordered stop‑drive letter or email from the manufacturer. These have been sent to registered keepers of affected vehicles. Check recall pages and confirm with your dealer using your VIN; Citroën/DS sites and dealers also offer VIN or registration lookups. Contact your nearest Citroën or DS dealer. The networks have VIN lookups to confirm status and book a repair. Already had an airbag replaced? Ask the dealer to confirm in writing that your VIN is now clear of the stop‑drive order. What happens next – and how long will it take? The maker says its focus is on replacing airbags 'as swiftly as possible,' with more than half of the initial wave of C3 and DS3 cars reportedly now fixed. The expansion to C4, DS4, and DS5 means extra pressure on parts and workshop capacity, but the brand has brought in additional support, including authorising the Peugeot network for some repairs and offering mobile technicians for at‑home replacements where possible. Realistically, some owners will still face waits due to parts supply and booking backlogs. If you've been given a date weeks away - or had a slot cancelled at short notice - push for alternative options and mobility support (more on your rights below). What you're entitled to: your rights explained Courtesy car or mobility support: There's no automatic legal right, but Stellantis says it will support mobility (courtesy car, recovery, at‑home repair, or alternatives). Ask explicitly and keep receipts for reasonable costs. There's no automatic legal right, but Stellantis says it will support mobility (courtesy car, recovery, at‑home repair, or alternatives). Ask explicitly and keep receipts for reasonable costs. Recovery to the dealer: You shouldn't be asked to drive the car in. The brand should arrange safe transport for the vehicle if an at‑home fix isn't available. You shouldn't be asked to drive the car in. The brand should arrange safe transport for the vehicle if an at‑home fix isn't available. Expenses: Keep every receipt for taxis, public transport, and other essential travel caused by the stop‑drive order. Ask the manufacturer to reimburse reasonable costs where a courtesy car hasn't been provided. Keep every receipt for taxis, public transport, and other essential travel caused by the stop‑drive order. Ask the manufacturer to reimburse reasonable costs where a courtesy car hasn't been provided. Clear communication: You're entitled to a straight answer on whether your car is affected, when parts are expected, and how you'll be kept mobile in the meantime. If you're being passed from pillar to post, escalate in writing to customer service and copy in the dealership principal. You're entitled to a straight answer on whether your car is affected, when parts are expected, and how you'll be kept mobile in the meantime. If you're being passed from pillar to post, escalate in writing to customer service and copy in the dealership principal. If you recently bought the car: Bought from a dealer and only just discovered it's under stop‑drive? Speak to the seller. Consumer protection laws may give you remedies if the car was not of satisfactory quality at the point of sale. Independent legal advice is sensible here. Insurance and legal consequences Ignoring a stop‑drive recall is a serious risk. If you crash and investigators find an outstanding stop‑drive order, insurers may reject the claim, and you could face prosecution. If you need to inform your insurer that your car is temporarily off the road due to the recall, do so and keep records of all communications. Practical steps to take today Stop driving immediately. Park the car safely and remove the keys. Confirm your status by using the recall checker and then call your dealer with your VIN. Book the repair. Push for the earliest available slot or at‑home fix. Ask for mobility support. If no courtesy car is offered, request it explicitly - and ask about alternative options if the waiting list is long. Keep records. Save emails, note call times, and keep receipts for any extra travel costs. Can I SORN the car and save on tax? If your vehicle will be off the road for a while, you can apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). That means you must not use or park the car on public roads, but you could get a refund for the full remaining months of vehicle tax. Only do this if you truly won't need to drive it until it's repaired; it can take admin time to reverse a SORN when your car is fixed. How the repair works The fix involves replacing the affected airbag module. In many cases, this is a straightforward job a technician can complete in a single visit, though the exact time varies by model. Some owners are being offered at‑home replacements to speed things up; others will need workshop slots. If you're offered an alternative airbag brand emblem (for example, a Citroën‑branded wheel in a DS model) to get you back on the road faster, ask whether you can swap to the correct trim later without charge. Why some owners are still waiting This is one of the biggest safety actions the car industry has seen, and scaling up parts supply plus trained technicians takes time. That doesn't help if you're stranded now, but it explains the uneven experience across the country. If your booking is weeks away, consider being wait-listed for cancellations, checking nearby dealers for earlier slots, and requesting a mobile repair if available in your area.
