Almost 1000 vehicles in Bolton have been clamped for being untaxed this year, new figures show. 

The statistics, which were released by the DVLA, show over the seven postcodes in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, 976 vehicles have been clamped between January and June 2024. 

The numbers show that the BL3 postcode, which covers Deane, Daubhill, Great Lever, Little Lever and Darcy Lever, had the highest number of untaxed vehicles, 327. 

The BL1 area, which covers the town centre, Halliwell, Heaton, Smithills, Doffcocker, Astley Bridge, had the next most at 267. 

At the other end of the scale, the rural BL7 postcode, which covers Bromley Cross, Egerton, Belmont, Turton and Edgworth, had the least number of clampings at 15. 

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A DVLA spokesperson said: “Whilst over 98 per cent of vehicles are taxed correctly, DVLA is committed to keeping untaxed vehicles off our roads.

“We have a range of enforcement measures including fines and penalties and are working hard with our national wheel clamping partner to clamp untaxed vehicles.

“It is easy for drivers to pay their vehicle tax, including using our quick and accessible online services or spread the cost using Direct Debit.” 

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The DVLA has the authority to clamp, impound or even destroy any vehicle that has not been taxed.

Vehicles can be clamped for having no taxation in a public road, even if it is declared as having a statutory off-road notification (SORN), or not in a public road if it has not been declared SORN. 

If the vehicle has been moved, owners are advised to contact the police on 101 or call NSL to find out where it's been taken.

Owners can also pay a 'surety' deposit if they don't tax the vehicle before it gets released.

This can cost £160 for cars or motorcycles and up to £700 for other vehicles.

The number of untaxed drivers in each Bolton postcode area

BL1 (town centre, Halliwell, Heaton, Smithills, Doffcocker, Astley Bridge) - 267

BL2 (Breightmet, Tonge Moor, The Haulgh, Harwood, Bradshaw, Ainsworth) - 101

BL3 (Deane, Daubhill, Great Lever, Little Lever, Darcy Lever) - 327

BL4 (Farnworth, Kearsley) - 162

BL5 (Westhoughton, Over Hulton) - 39

BL6 (Horwich, Blackrod, Lostock, Rivington) - 65

BL7 (Bromley Cross, Egerton, Belmont, Turton, Edgworth) - 15