AQW 34325/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 24/10/2025
Answered On Date: 10/11/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the enforcement action her Department can take, in relation to vehicles parked on residential streets that (i) do not have a valid MOT; and or (ii) are untaxed.

Answer:

The Driver & Vehicle Agency can enforce MOT compliance where road safety has been compromised, and it is in the public interest to do so. This may include issuing a £60 Fixed Penalty Notice to the offending driver or vehicle user or referring the matter for prosecution.

However, an MOT offence only arises when a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate is observed being driven on a public road. The DVA cannot take enforcement action when an unaccompanied motor vehicle is observed parked on a residential street.

Vehicle Excise Duty (motor tax) is an excepted matter and is administered and enforced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea, on behalf of the British Treasury.

The DVLA operates a comprehensive package of measures to tackle untaxed vehicles. These range from issuing reminder letters and penalties through to court prosecutions and the wheelclamping and/or removal of untaxed vehicles. The use of Automatic Number Plate Readers is one aspect of this approach and targets vehicles that are being used on the road.

If you wish to request further information from the DVLA you can contact them using the following dedicated email address for elected representatives at DVLAMinisterials@dvla.gov.uk.