I guess, like their stamps, they think it isn't necessary to point out "where" these "million motorists" are driving. If it's in GB. But i thus guess they think "in the UK".
Even in UK 1.000.000 uninsured drivers is an awful lot.
In Belgium, you get the plates from govt office, but you have to SHOW that you are insured. Sometimes the insurance comp (or their rep) will command the plates for you.
If you don't return the plates, you will automatically be billed ... to pay the TAX, but the insurance comp cannot force you to go on paying insurance (well, they can, and will send you notice that you failed to properly close your contract , so please now pay for the next year" ... without properly closing the contract, other ins comp normally won't accept you, and without paying ... they know where you are.
Unless, of course, you are a total crook: never registered the car, stole the plates ... you'll be paying a fat TAX on petrol, but technically you haven't paid any tax for having the car "on the road" (yes, keeping it off the road doesn't require tax nor insurance, but what's its worth in the back yard?)
Still, there are people driving along without paying insurance: they moved without notice, so insurance comp cannot find them. Govt has a tough go too, to collect "next year" car taxes (the plates weren't returned, but you don't live "there" any more ...)
I think you cannot make rules to regulate the unruly, nor the straightforward criminals: they play hide-and-seek too well.
In the mean time, taxes are collected from car owners, and go where taxes go: in one undivided pot. The pot will be spent on something, not necessarily on cars. Can be education, army, justice ... |
