Skip to content
Friday 31 July 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE
City PM

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,868.05
-0.27%
DAX
25,629.24
+0.07%
CAC 40
8,509.64
+0.28%
STOXX 50
6,358.01
+0.21%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Technology
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceBankingAIEnergyFintechPropertyCapital Markets
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Technology
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Tuesday 03 March 2020 11:36 am

DVLA says excuses for not paying car tax include too many chickens and looming jail time

By: James Booth

Add as a preferred source on Google
(Getty)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) said today that excuses it has received for not paying vehicle tax included their van being full of chickens.

The agency said that inventive excuses it had received for nonpayment included:

  • “I’m about to start a prison sentence, so is there any way you could hang on to my ice cream van for six months ‘til I get out?”
  • “I would’ve taxed my van but my bitter ex put four live chickens in it.”
  • “I know it was untaxed, but I didn’t think you’d clamp cars in a heatwave.”
  • “I forgot to tax it as I was looking after the kids [aged 19 and 26].”
  • “I couldn’t tax my car as I’ve had man flu and have been stuck in bed for four weeks.”
  • “I would’ve taxed the car, but you clamped it so early in the morning [the car was clamped at lunchtime].”

DVLA chief executive Julie Lennard said: “While we know that the vast majority of motorists tax their cars on time, there are still some who choose not to.

“Taxing your car is so easy to do online, so there really is no excuse – even if it is filled with chickens.”

The DVLA said it sends reminders to motorists when their vehicle tax is due. It motorists can also check their vehicle’s tax status on the DVLA’s website.

Read more

The Executive Ledger: Is the company car consigned to history?

Alpine 21 conference attendees networking in a modern venue with large windows and a scenic mountain backdrop

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Transport & Infrastructure

Trending Articles

  • Gino D’Acampo restaurants face HMRC winding-up order

  • PwC thought leadership reports ‘100 per cent AI generated’

  • BP quits North Sea after tax grab

  • Lloyd’s of London allows staff to work from home as heatwave hits the capital

  • Foxtons hits out at Renters’ Rights Act as profit halves

More from City PM

  • The Executive Ledger: Is the company car consigned to history?

    Sponsored
    Alpine 21 conference attendees networking in a modern venue with large windows and a scenic mountain backdrop
  • Is Ferrari’s first EV already a collectable?

    Motoring
    Red Ferrari Luce concept car with black roof and wheels, yellow brake calipers, against a dark background.
  • Donkervoort P24 RS supercar coming to the UK in right-hand drive

    Life&Style
    Dark green Donkervoort sportscar with exposed front wheels and orange interior, parked on a winding road with mountains
  • Three ways Andy Burnham can avoid Keir Starmer’s mistakes

    Opinion
    Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, speaking at an event
  • Vehicle production drops in first half of year

    Transport & Infrastructure
    Car bodies on an assembly line in a UK car plant, showcasing EV manufacturing process
  • Lady the right Choice with Yuen up

    Sport
    Nichola Yuen delivering a speech at a podium during a business conference, surrounded by attendees in formal attire
  • Britain set to miss net-zero car targets despite record electric vehicle sales

    Transport & Infrastructure
    Electric vehicle charging station with multiple charging ports and cars plugged in, promoting sustainable transportation s...
  • Land Rover Defender OCTA: Can an Off-Road Super SUV Really Conquer the City?

    Sponsored
    Land Rover Defender
CityPM

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • UK & Ireland

Business

  • Markets
  • Banking
  • Technology
  • Energy
  • Property
  • Fintech

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About City PM
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 City PM Ltd · Published by CityPM Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook