Untaxed and Uninsured Vehicles in and around Rudge
The use and presence of untaxed and uninsured vehicles on roads in and around Rudge has been identified as a neighbourhood policing priority. These vehicles pose a significant risk to public safety and are frequently linked to wider motoring and criminal offences. This priority focuses on deterrence, detection, and enforcement, supported by active community engagement and reporting.
Why This Matters
Untaxed and uninsured vehicles have a disproportionate impact on rural communities. In villages such as Rudge, their presence contributes to:
- Increased danger on narrow rural roads and lanes, where collisions can have severe consequences
- Financial hardship and stress for victims involved in collisions with uninsured drivers
- Higher insurance premiums for law‑abiding residents
- Obstruction and environmental blight from abandoned or poorly maintained vehicles
- Links to wider criminality, including disqualified driving, drink/drug driving, and vehicle crime
Avon and Somerset Police data shows that uninsured drivers are more frequently involved in serious road offences, reinforcing the need for targeted enforcement activity.
Legal Position
Untaxed Vehicles
Under UK law, any vehicle used or kept on a public road must be taxed, unless covered by a valid Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) and kept entirely on private land. Enforcement powers available include:
- Fixed penalties and fines
- Wheel‑clamping
- Vehicle seizure and removal
- Court action for persistent tax evasion
Responsibility for vehicle taxation rests with the registered keeper.
Uninsured Vehicles
It is a criminal offence under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to use or permit a vehicle to be used on a road or public place without valid insurance. Police have powers to:
- Issue a £300 fixed penalty and endorse 6 penalty points
- Seize vehicles at the roadside
- Destroy vehicles where appropriate
- Seek unlimited fines or disqualification through the courts
Avon and Somerset Police make extensive use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to identify uninsured vehicles in real time.
Actions
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21 January 2026
To address this priority, the Frome Rural Neighbourhood Team will:
- Conduct targeted patrols in identified hotspot locations in and around Rudge
- Use ANPR intelligence to intercept uninsured vehicles
- Work with partner agencies, including DVLA, to identify and address persistent offenders
- Take positive enforcement action in all appropriate cases
- Encourage residents to report concerns about specific vehicles or locations
- Provide updates to the community on enforcement activity and outcomes
How the Community Can Help
Residents can support this priority by:
- Reporting suspected untaxed or uninsured vehicles via 101, online reporting, or through local beat surgeries
- Providing registration numbers, locations, and times when concerns arise
- Sharing community intelligence that may assist with targeted patrols and interventions