'Ludicrous' figures back call for spy chips

The DVLA renewed calls for spy chips to be fitted in motorcycle number plates last week, claiming 37 per cent of us evade road tax.

But the DVLA’s own survey could only prove that 16 per cent of bikers were riding without road tax.

A report on the accounts of the DVLA published last week by the National Audit Office claims figures from a roadside survey show over one third of motorcycles on the road are untaxed.

The Agency has suggested the possible implementation of compulsory fitment of small chips (as seen in chip and pin credit cards) in motorcycle number plates could help address the problem. The blow comes half-way through a six-month study into the feasibility of making the chips compulsory on all new motorcycles.

The Department for Transport conducted a roadside survey (the findings of which are used by the DVLA) in June last year, and despite only 16 per cent of surveyed motorcycles evading tax, a formula used by the DfT estimates that 37 per cent of all motorcycles used on UK roads are untaxed.

Craig Carey-Clinch, policy director for the Motor Cycle Industry Association said: “We’ve looked at this and we don’t think 37 per cent is a likely figure. One third of all motorbikes not taxed seems a ludicrous figure to come too.

“The survey used to be pretty robust but we think the methodology is falling by the wayside somewhere as vehicle trends tend to change.

“We’ve already called on the DfT at this time to review their methodology and the way they work. The work should be done by proper on the spot surveys and not some spurious computer modelling that comes up with unrealistic figures.

“We’ve put the point to the compartment and they’ve agreed to look at it, so we’ll see what happens.”

Read more about the spy chip number plans in today’s MCN (August 1 2007).