Motorists must tell if cars are ‘off the road’

Motorists will be required to give prior notice of their vehicles being kept “off the road” in order to avoid paying motor tax, as part of a major crackdown on abuse of the existing system.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan confirmed he will bring in new legislation before the year end which will place an onus on motorists to notify their local motor tax offices if they intend to take their vehicle out of use.

It is estimated the annual loss in revenue to the exchequer from almost 400,000 vehicles being declared off the road is approximately €84m.