§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from people who are unable to renew their vehicle excise duty at the appropriate time owing to being out of the country for the period before their existing vehicle excise duty expires; if he will allow a period of grace so that such people can tax their cars on their return to the United Kingdom and not be prosecuted for driving without having paid the duty during the period of grace; and if he will make a statement. [161963]
§ Mr. JamiesonIt is already possible for motorists who are abroad when their vehicle licence becomes due for renewal to relicense their vehicle up to six weeks in advance of expiry date. Tax discs can be posted to applicants at a forwarding address abroad. The law also allows motorists a further 14 days from the date the licence was due, in which to relicense. If the keeper of a vehicle is abroad for a protracted period of time and intends to take a licensed vehicle off the road, they may make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to this effect to DVLA and will receive a refund for every full month of unexpired vehicle excise duty. However, if the vehicle is used or kept on the public road it must be licensed.